NNS2203. SECNAV signs aircraft carrier Hornet donation
contract
by DOD Public Affairs
     WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy John H.
Dalton signed the donation contract May 26 officially
transferring the historic aircraft carrier Hornet (CV 12) to
the Aircraft Carrier Hornet Foundation of Alameda, Calif.
     The Hornet Memorial Museum is scheduled to open to the
public in August 1998, following restoration of the vessel
by the Aircraft Carrier Hornet Foundation. A national
historic landmark, Hornet is currently located at Pier 3 of
the former Naval Air Station Alameda, which the Navy has
leased to the Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority.
     Commissioned Nov. 29, 1943, this Essex-class carrier
achieved an exemplary combat record in World War II, earning
seven battle stars and the Presidential Unit Citation.
Hornet destroyed numerous Japanese aircraft during the
battle of the Philippine Sea, supported the amphibious
assault landings of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and helped sink
the entire task force of the Japanese battleship Yamato.
     Following World War II, Hornet was decommissioned in
1947 and transferred to the Pacific Reserve Fleet.
     Hornet was recommissioned in 1953 after conversion to
an attack aircraft carrier (CVA 12). In 1958, Hornet was
converted to an antisubmarine warfare support carrier (CVS
12).
     Astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, Edwin E."Buzz" Aldrin
Jr. and Michael Collins made their return trip home aboard
the carrier in 1969, when Hornet recovered the Apollo 11
space capsule and, months later, recovered the all-Navy
Apollo 12 crew.
 -USN-