THE "MIGHTY O" IS GONE

[tom d. friedman]

some sea urchin is gonna have a splitting headache when the "0" hits bottom did senator john mc cain serve on the oriskany?? can't remember what carrier he was on.

[Shay]

did senator john mc cain serve on the oriskany??

Yes he did. As well as Vice Admiral Stockdale

Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

[tom d. friedman]

is stockdale still alive?? he must be older than dirt by now!! i remember when he ran with perot for vice prez. the debates didn't go well for him, he was kind of off the wall, no disrespect intended. he no doubt suffered mentally years later due to the horrible torture he endured while prisoner of the vietcong. it was evident during the debates that he didn't carry himself well. what pissed me off was the late night comedians johnny carson, letterman etc ragging on him. it's a real sportsman to beat somebody when their down, they made cheap laughs off of stockdale's courage & honor.

[RickH]

Admiral Stockdale passed away last year. I believe he was suffering from
Alzheimers.

[lmritger]

Tom, I feel ya- men like Stockdale and McCain have earned our respect and appreciation in spades, no matter what your political persuasion. I remember getting right pissed off at that as well.

As to the Big O's journey to Davey Jones' Locker, I couldn't help but think of the Yorktown as she sagged and passed under... yes, it was impressive, but godawful sad at the same time, to think of all the history she embodies.

Well, unlike the Bennington, Coral Maru, Hancock, and many others, at least she's still going to be a valuable asset and visited frequently...

Lynn

[Richard W.]

I've heard the name of the U.S.S. Oriskany all my life, and I'm embarassed to admit that I never knew the origin of her name until I looked it up this morning.

It was a battle during the Revolutionary War (actually, a defeat for the Americans).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Oriskany

[Richard W.]

On a related note, the French are trying to dispose of one of their decommisioned cariers, the Clemenceau.

Not having any luck, yet.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4988664.stm

[B-29 Super Fort]

On a related note, the French are trying to dispose of one of their decommisioned cariers, the Clemenceau.

Not having any luck, yet.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4988664.stm

Why don't they just sink the Clemenceau as an artificial reef somewhere or use it for weapons testing to sink her.

[Shay]

Well, unlike the Bennington, Coral Maru, Hancock, and many others, at least she's still going to be a valuable asset and visited frequently.

Now there is a aircraft carrier that I wish was still around. The USS Hancock was my Uncles 1st Carrier with the VF-211 driving F-8s starting in 1964 I believe.

If anyone has seen the pictures of an Aircraft Carrier being scrapped over it's time period in the yard, it is a really saddening sight. While I would prefer to see these warrior icons of times no longer preserved for future generations. If they can't then sinking is the better option to scrapping atleast she still existed.

Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

[lmritger]

My father in law did four Westpacs aboard Hancock from 71 to 75; he worked on the electrical generators for the ship, and was part of the decommissioning crew. He was also aboard for the evacuation of Saigon, and has told many stories of seeing all manner of stuff shoved overboard as the choppers kept coming with refugees.

As warm and salty as the South China Sea is, I severely doubt that any of those aircraft would be worth salvaging nowadays...

Lynn

[systemofadown1162]

While it is sad, I belive its better than scrap metal. At least you can still see it.

[Flat 12x2]

By any chance, was a Hollywood film crew on hand to film the sinking, as they often are when large buildings are imploded? It just occurs to me that this might be good footage to have in the can for future movies, and for those who know what the footage is, it would serve as sort of a euology for the old girl.

Well there was a Hollywood film crew onboard 56 years ago, she was the carrier in the film The Bridges of Toko-Ri , so she will live on forever in the film
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046806/trivia

[tom d. friedman]

nice bit of trivia, thanks!!

[bdk]

On a related note, the French are trying to dispose of one of their decommisioned cariers, the Clemenceau.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4988664.stm

Hmmmm... It seems that India, asbestos, and French speaking people have a lot in common.

http://www.twnside.org.sg/title/deadly-cn.htm

So one of India's major imports is asbestos, but then they don't want to be paid to take it either. Curious!

[RickH]

Maybe the Indians are trying to build a dirty bomb ? Not radiation, one that spreads asbestosis ? Though the reaction time might be a little slow. Is there such a thing as weapons grade asbestos ?