USS Independence
Seven US Navy ships have borne the name Independence, named in our of our country’s desire to be free. Four vessels by this name served prior to WW I, and one is currently under construction. The two that were used during World War II were the Independence (CVL-22) and Independence (CV-62).
CVL-22 was a light aircraft carrier launched from Camden New Jersey in January 1943.She was the first carrier in her class and joined the Pacific Fleet in July. Her first missions were assaults on Marcus and Wake Islands in September and October. Planes from her carrier group were effective in destroying many enemy installations on the islands. While in the battle of the Gilbert Islands, the Independence was hit by a torpedo fired by Japanese fighter planes and sustained damage. She returned to San Francisco for repairs at which time she was fitted as a night carrier. Independence then rejoined the Pacific Fleet in August of 1944.
The ability to launch night-flying aircraft proved vital to the effort in the Pacific until the end of the war. Planes were used for reconnaissance after dark during the battles for the Philippines, Formosa, and Okinawa. After the Japanese surrender, the CVL-22 was used to transport victorious troops home to the US. She received eight battle stars for her service during WW II.
In 1946 she was assigned as a target vessel for the Bikini Atomic Bomb tests. She was eventually sunk off the coast of San Francisco in 1951.
The next Independence (CV-62) was commissioned in 1959. She belonged to the newest class of carriers known as supercarriers. She served in the Mediterranean area and was part of the naval blockade during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.
By 1965 she had become part of the force off the coast of Vietnam. While there she received the Navy Unit Commendation for her efforts in support of the attacks on the enemy supply lines. She launched more than 7000 sorties, an exceptional concentration of attacks.
The Indy was deployed to the Mediterranean Sea many times in the 1970’s, often as a counterbalance to Soviet forces in the area. She also sent a signal of the US support of Israel during the many tense periods of Middle East conflict.
In November 1980 USS Independence was on guard in the Indian Ocean when Ronald Reagan was inaugurated and the American hostages were freed from Iran. In 1983, aircraft from the Independence were used to support the effort to free the Caribbean nation of Grenada.
In 1990, Indy entered the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Desert Shield. It was the first time a carrier had been there since 1974. She also provided aircraft for Operation Southern Watch. This was the effort to make Iraq comply with UN Resolution 688 that said they must not fly their planes south of the 32nd parallel and stop the aggression against the Shiite people in southern Iraq.
By the time the Independence was decommissioned in 1998, she had served for 39 years and 9 months. She was the oldest vessel in the US Navy Active Fleet; the first time a carrier had held that position.
Both CV-62 and CVL-22 had long, proud histories with the US Navy. Their crews also served admirably, but since both ships were built during the time when the dangers of asbestos were not understood, the people who worked aboard the two vessels were put at risk by the hazardous substance. We now know that those who work near asbestos, which is often used for insulation, are vulnerable to respiratory problems including mesothelioma, a type of cancer. A thoracic specialist should evaluate people who have concerns about their possible exposure to asbestos aboard either of the Independence ships.
