USS Hornet CV-12

The second aircraft carrier to bear the name Hornet, the Hornet CV-12 was originally named the USS Kearsarge, but was renamed in honor of the USS Hornet CV-8, which bravely served in some of the most violent and important World War II air strikes and was sunk by enemy forces in 1942. Built at Newport News Shipyard and completed on September 9, 1940, the Hornet CV-12 was an Essex-class aircraft carrier. Launched in August of 1943, the Hornet CV-12 was captained by Miles R. Browning, who later received a Distinguished Service Medal and was considered a pioneer in the area of aircraft carrier design and development.

The Hornet CV-12 began her service in Bermuda and eventually joined the Fast Carrier Task Force in March of 1944 off of the island of Majuro Atoll in the Marshalls. The Hornet CV-12 supported aircraft during the invasion of New Guinea beaches and assisted aerial strikes against enemy bases in both the Carolina and Marianas Islands. In June of that same year the Hornet CV-12 launched air raids and heavy bombing in Tinian and Saipan, followed by attacks on both Guam and Rota, which was known as the "peaceful island." The Hornet CV-12 eventually opened up the Battle of the Philippine Sea on June 19, 1944 and destroyed a number of Japanese planes. She also assisted in the destruction of every single Japanese aircraft in June during a battle known as the "Marianas Island Turkey Shoot."

The Hornet CV-12 went on to patrol the Marshall Islands, attacking enemy ships and assisting in air strikes. The Hornet CV-12 assisted during the amphibious assault on Okinawa in April of 1945 and as a result of her great success, she would continue to assist in all subsequent amphibious landings. She was initially decommissioned in January of 1947, but was recommissioned for use as an attack aircraft carrier in 1951. As the CVA-12, she assisted in the evacuation of Vietnamese during the Vietnam War and continued to be deployed regularly to assist U.S. forces until 1970. In fact, as the CVS-12, she recovered the crew of the Apollo 12 on November 24, 1969, which included moonwalkers Charles Conrad, Jr. and Alan L. Bean. She was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1991 and has been on display at the Alameda, California Naval Air Station since 1998.

The crew aboard the USS Hornet CV-12 bravely served during World War II and faced a variety of dangers, including the threat of asbestos exposure while on board. Asbestos was found within piping insulation and other materials on this and a number of other military vessels, and could become airborne if disturbed or damaged. The Hornet CV-12 crew may have inhaled airborne asbestos and could develop the deadly mesothelioma cancer as a result. Any veterans who were aboard this vessel should monitor their respiratory health and visit their doctor if they develop common mesothelioma symptoms, such as breathing difficulties or chest pain.

Last modified: December 09 2009.