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USS Ranger CV-61 25 IK USS Ranger CV-61 John Paul Jones In ITU, the launching of an American Con- tinental frigate christened Ranger, set into motion a series of events that would, today, astound the crew and commander of the Revolutionary War-era vessel. Today, over 200 years later, our mighty war- ship dwarfs her namesake in size and power, but matches, without a doubt, the sense of pride and dedication in the knowledge that she has and con- tinues to serve her nation to the utmost of her abilities. Therefore, on this, our Ranger's 25th anniver- sary, it is only fitting that the man who began the great tradition of Ranger speak in her behalf. Our featured speaker for today's program is Capt. John Paul Jones of the Continental Navy. RANGER HISTORY In 1776, the Continental Congress set forth a used as a lookout vessel in Chesapeake Bay dur- declaration that, in its summation, stated the de- ing the war of 1812. sire of it) members and their constituents to be- The third Ranger, a brigantine of 14 guns, come a free nation. served also during ihe War of 1812 with Cmdr, Our country's fore-fathers, however, were well Isaac Chauncey's squadron. aware that such freedom would only be won after The fourth Ranger was of a new design whose a fierce war for independence. They created for- iron hull and steam-powered engines heralded the ces they hoped would be capable of securing for Navy's emergence into the 20th century. This the new-born nation the independence she longed Ranger was, perhaps, the first to truly show Am- for. Those forces included the Continental Navy erica's resolve at protecting her national interest* and, joining the fleet in the autumn of 1777, a worldwide. She was assigned to the Asiatic fleet, ship called Ranger. leaving New York May 21, 1871 to eventually This 18-gun Continental frigate, named in bon- take up her position on the Asiatic station, ready or of the Portsmouth, N.H., mflitia Roger's Rao- to defend American interest* and policy in the gen, was to play a leading role in the develop- Far East. ment of the new nation. Weighing In at 308 tons, The fifth Ranger protected America's inter- she carried aboard her 140 crewmen and the ests much closer to home. She was a coastal pride of the American fleet, commanding officer minesweeper in the Sixth Naval District, serving Captain John Paul Jones. during World War 1. Under his command, Ranger sailed for France The sixth Ranger could truly be called the on her maiden voyage. In 1778, while bearing father of our modem 'Gray Lady' for she was the new nation's colon, ihe was the first Ameri- the first ship of the Navy to be designed and can vessel to receive a salute from a foreign pow- built from the keel up as an aircraft carrier. This er, on Valentine's Day from a French flotilla. recent ancestor of our Ranger saw her share of In the years that followed, Ranger triumphed action following her commissioning June 4, man}' times over British forces. The men-of-war 1934. She wai the only large carrier in the At- TIMS Drake, carrying 20 guns and HMS Holderness lantic Fleet when she led a task force comprised sporting 22, met their fates under the onslaught of herself and four Sangamon class escort carriers of Ranger's 18 guns along the Atlantic Coast. towards German-dominated French Morocco for But the Ranger of John Paul Jones' day was an amphibious invasion on November 8, 1942. only the first in a series of vessels whose crew In the darkness of the early dawn, she launched dedicated themselves to living up to the legacy her aircraft against the forces stationed at Rabat left by her. and the Rabat and Rabat-Sale airdome*, destroy- The second Ranger, an armed schconer, serv- ing seven planes and 14 bombers without the lots ed a more modest purpose then Jones', She was of a single Ranger aircraft. The carrier launched (Ranger hiitory continued) 496 combat sorties in the three-day operation. During the decades that followed, Ranger com- Following her victoriet there, Ranger tailed pleted seven combat deployments to Southeast for Norwegian waters to attack German shipping Asia. For her service, Ranger earned 13 battle In the area. Reaching her launch position! off stars during the Vietnam War. Vestfjord undetected, she lauched 20 dauntles* On June 15, 1975, Ranger shifted homeports dive bombers and an escort of eight Wfldcst to San Diego. After a brief familiarization period, fighters. They severly damaged a 10,000-ton she deployed once again to the Western Pacific on tanker and a small troop transport. AH in all, January 30, 1976. Even though this was not a during her tour in those embattled waten, Ranger wartime cruise, the second since the end of Viet- sank more than 40,000 tons of German shipping. nam, Ranger carried the same mission: to main- For her courage and daring, Ranger received tain a balance of power and to keep the shipping two battle stars during her World War n service. lanes open for all nations. And the pages of history torn towards the most On February 9, 1977, Ranger left for Puget recent Ranger to serve the interests of our nation. Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Wash., for At the time of her commissioning, August 10, a one-year extensive overhaul period. This was 1957, Ranger was the most modem warship in the her first major overt aul since 1971. After ex- world. At 80 pOO tons and a length of 1,070 feet tensive renovation, Ranger returned to San Diego in length, she vat certainly the most impressive on March 25, 1978, prepared to continue her bon- ship to safl from her birthplace of Newport News orable service to her nation. Ship building and Drydock Company in On February 21, 1979, Ranger departed San Newport News, Va. Diego for a 14th deployment, returning seven Arter arriving at her first homeport of Naval months later. This was her last cruise with F-4 Air Station Alameda, Ca., Ranger made four eruii- jets. es to the Western Pacific in the five yean that On her 15th cruise, which began on September followed. 10, 1980, Ranger spent more than 130 days in Viating many exotic lands as an ambassador of the Indian Ocean and was on station in the Per- goodwill, Ranger played host to a wide variety of sian Gulf for the release of the 52 American hos- dignitaries and diplomats from various nations. In tages held in Iran. times of war, st>e proved the strength and power at Currently, Ranger Is serving her 16th cruise in her command WES more than enough to protect the often troubled region of the Indian Ocean. America's vital world interests. And though, now, Ranger serves as a symbol of It was on her fifth cruise beginning August 5, the reach and power of our country, she stands 1964 mat Ranger was called upon to prove prepared to continue the legacy of John Paul through combat our nation's determination to de- Jones - to fight for our nation wherever the fend freedom. It was then that President Johnson need arises, to protect her national interests and directed our naval forces to strike at bases used by maintain the freedom of the seal with all the the North Vietnamese naval crafts that launched power, courage and determination that is at her unprovoked attacks against the UJS. Navy ships Maddox (DD-731) and Turner Joy (DD^Sl). THE LEGACY ENDURES As incomprehensible as the USS Ranger (CV-61) would be to the crewmembers of the Continental ship that orig- inally bore the name, per- haps this massive aircraft carrier's eventual successor will be evidence of an even more advanced technology. And in the f inal equation, Ranger may have done no more than what was expected of her. However, Ranger is far from adding another star to her bold insignia's seven predecessors. Instead, sym- bolically, she begins her second quarter- century steam - ing a vast ocean, proclaim- dedication and spirit of the ing her strength, in the officers and men who have performance of her mission, served on her, she has blaz- Since her commissioning, 25 ed her wake in history, and years ago today, in peace kept her name proud. and in battle, Ranger has become an 80,000-ton ideal; Now, the Top Gun of the peace and prosperity through Pacific Fleet presses on, 1 strength. Born of the stren- steaming into a new age. And gth of a nation, she pro- perhaps Ranger's lifespan claims her right to freedom will prove somewhat insigni- throughout the oceans of the ficant in the ultimate bal- world. ance. But she is 25 years young and constantly improv- On her silver anniversary ing to conquer the everchang - Ranger joins only four other ing challenges of the modern aircraft carriers that have Navy. As Capt. John Paul achieved this milestone. In Jones might have said—she this, as a United States has only begun to fight-- for ship, she has become a source her rightful place in his- of inspiration. Through the tory. 25 Years of Pride In Profile RANGER HONOR ROLL Captain Charles C. Booth II 10 Aug 1957 - S MAR 1958 Captain Paul D. Buie 5 MAR 1958 - 23 MAY 1959 Captain Noel A.M. Gaylor 23 MAY 1959 - 4 JUN 1960 Captain Donald Gay, Jr.
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