USS Intrepid (CV-11) facts for kids
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|} The USS Intrepid (CV/CVA/CVS-11) is a famous aircraft carrier that served in the United States Navy. It was one of 24 Essex-class carriers built during World War II. People often called her The Fighting "I" because of her bravery in battles.
Intrepid was launched in 1943 and played a big role in the Pacific Ocean during World War II. After the war, she was updated and used again. She became an attack carrier and then an anti-submarine carrier. She even helped NASA by picking up astronauts after their space missions.
Because she faced many attacks and needed repairs often, some sailors also nicknamed her "Decrepit" or "the Dry I." She was hit by a torpedo once and by four Japanese kamikaze planes. In 1974, Intrepid was taken out of service for good. Today, she is a museum ship in New York City, where you can visit her at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Complex.
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States |
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| Name | Intrepid |
| Namesake | USS Intrepid (1904) |
| Builder | Newport News Shipbuilding |
| Laid down | 1 December 1941 |
| Launched | 26 April 1943 |
| Commissioned | 16 August 1943 |
| Decommissioned | 15 March 1974 |
| Reclassified |
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| Stricken | 23 February 1982 |
| Status | Museum ship at the Intrepid Museum in New York City |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Essex-class aircraft carrier |
| Displacement | |
| Length |
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| Beam | 93 ft (28.3 m) |
| Draft | 34 ft 2 in (10.41 m) |
| Installed power |
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| Propulsion |
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| Speed | 33 knots (61 km/h; 38 mph) |
| Range | 14,100 nmi (26,100 km; 16,200 mi) at 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) |
| Complement | 2,600 officers and enlisted men |
| Armament |
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| Armor | |
| Aircraft carried |
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Building and Early Days
The construction of Intrepid began on December 1, 1941, in Newport News, Virginia. This was just days before the Attack on Pearl Harbor, which brought the United States into World War II. The ship was launched on April 26, 1943.
Intrepid was officially put into service on August 16, 1943. Her first captain was Thomas L. Sprague. After some training in the Caribbean, she sailed to the Pacific Ocean. She arrived in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on January 10, 1944. There, she got ready to join the fight against the Japanese Navy.
World War II Service
Intrepid joined a powerful group of ships called the Fast Carrier Task Force. This group was key to the "island-hopping" strategy in the Pacific. This strategy involved capturing important islands one by one.
Battles in the Central Pacific
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In January 1944, Intrepid helped attack islands in the Kwajalein Atoll. Her planes destroyed many Japanese aircraft. They also attacked enemy defenses on Ennuebing Island before U.S. Marines landed there.
After Kwajalein, Intrepid took part in Operation Hailstone. This was a big attack on Chuuk Lagoon, a major Japanese naval base. From February 17 to 19, Intrepid and other carriers bombed Japanese forces. They sank many ships and showed that Truk was no longer safe for the Japanese.
During this battle, Intrepid was hit by a Japanese torpedo. It struck below the water, damaging her steering. The crew had to use a makeshift sail to get the ship back to Pearl Harbor. After temporary repairs, she sailed to San Francisco for full repairs.
By September, Intrepid was back in action. She attacked Japanese airfields in the Caroline Islands and the Philippines. These attacks helped prepare for the invasion of Peleliu.
Fighting in the Philippines
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Intrepid then helped prepare for the Philippines Campaign. Her planes attacked Japanese airfields on Formosa (now Taiwan) and Okinawa. On October 20, 1944, she launched planes to support Allied troops landing on Leyte island.
The Battle of Leyte Gulf was a huge naval battle in October 1944. An Intrepid plane spotted the Japanese battleship Yamato. Intrepid and other carriers launched planes to attack Japanese ships. Her planes hit the battleship Musashi with bombs and torpedoes, helping to sink it.
Later, Intrepid planes attacked Japanese aircraft carriers in the Battle off Cape Engaño. They helped sink four Japanese carriers. This battle was a major victory for the U.S. Navy.
_on_30_October_1944_(NH_95398).jpg)
On October 29, a Japanese kamikaze plane hit Intrepid. Ten men were killed, but the damage was small. On November 25, two more kamikazes crashed into Intrepid. This killed 69 men and caused a big fire. The crew put out the fires quickly, and the ship was repaired.
Okinawa and Japan Operations
In March 1945, Intrepid was back in action. She launched attacks against airfields on Kyūshū, Japan. Her planes also attacked Japanese ships at Kure, Hiroshima, damaging the battleship Yamato.
As the Battle of Okinawa began, Intrepid planes attacked Japanese defenses. They also hit Japanese airfields near the island. On April 16, a Japanese plane crashed into Intrepid's flight deck. Eight men died, but the crew quickly put out the fires. Aircraft were landing on the carrier again within hours.
Intrepid continued to support operations until Japan surrendered on August 15, 1945. She then helped with the occupation of Japan. On December 15, she returned to California.
After the War
Intrepid was taken out of service in 1947. But in 1952, she was brought back and updated to handle jet aircraft. She was reclassified as an attack aircraft carrier (CVA-11). In 1954, she became the first carrier to launch planes using American-built steam catapults.
Cold War Service
From 1955 to 1961, Intrepid served in the Mediterranean Sea. In 1957, she received more updates, including an angled flight deck. This made it safer for jets to land and take off. She also took part in Operation Strikeback, a huge naval exercise that practiced defending against an attack.
In 1961, Intrepid was changed again, becoming an anti-submarine warfare carrier (CVS-11). This meant her main job was to hunt for enemy submarines.
Space Mission Recovery
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In May 1962, Intrepid was chosen to recover astronaut Scott Carpenter and his Aurora 7 space capsule. After his space flight, a helicopter from Intrepid picked him up and brought him safely to the ship.
In 1965, Intrepid helped with NASA's first manned Gemini flight, Gemini 3. Astronauts Gus Grissom and John Young splashed down near Intrepid. A Navy helicopter flew them to the carrier for medical checks. Intrepid then retrieved their spacecraft, Molly Brown.
Vietnam War and Final Years
From 1966 to 1969, Intrepid served three times off Vietnam. Her planes launched many attacks during the Vietnam War. In 1966, one of her pilots, Lieutenant (junior grade) William T. Patton, shot down a North Vietnamese MiG-17 jet.
In 1969, Intrepid became the flagship for a carrier division in Rhode Island. She took part in NATO exercises in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. She even operated above the Arctic Circle, watching Soviet forces.
Intrepid made her final cruise in the Mediterranean. On March 15, 1974, she was officially taken out of service for the last time.
Becoming a Museum Ship
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USS Intrepid
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Intrepid functioning as the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum in New York City
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 Location in New York City
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| Location | Intrepid Square, New York City |
|---|---|
| Built | 1941 |
| Architect | Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock |
| NRHP reference No. | 86000082 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | 14 January 1986 |
| Designated NHL | 14 January 1986 |
After being decommissioned, there were plans to scrap Intrepid. However, a group led by Michael D. Piccola worked to save the carrier. They wanted to turn her into a museum ship.
In August 1982, Intrepid opened to the public at Pier 86 on the Hudson River in New York City. It became the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. In 1986, Intrepid was named a National Historic Landmark.
Over the years, the museum has hosted many events. It even served as an FBI operations center after the September 11 attacks in 2001.
Renovation and Updates
In 2006, the Intrepid museum began a big renovation project. The goal was to repair the ship and improve the exhibits. On November 6, 2006, the ship was supposed to be moved for repairs. However, it was stuck in mud that had built up over 24 years. It took three weeks to dredge away the mud.
On December 5, 2006, Intrepid was finally moved. She received an $8 million renovation inside. Areas like the anchor chain room and crew quarters were opened to the public for the first time. The total cost of the renovation was $120 million.
The carrier was towed back to the Hudson River on October 2, 2008. She reopened to visitors on November 8, 2008.
Space Shuttle Enterprise
In 2011, the Space Shuttle Enterprise was given to the Intrepid Museum. On April 27, 2012, Enterprise flew over New York City on its way to JFK International Airport.
On June 6, 2012, the shuttle was brought by barge to the Intrepid Museum. Enterprise went on public display on July 19, 2012, at the museum's new Space Shuttle Pavilion.
Awards and Honors
Intrepid earned many awards for her service. She received five battle stars and the Presidential Unit Citation for her actions in World War II. She also earned three more battle stars for her service in the Vietnam War.
- Navy Unit Commendation (2)
- Navy Expeditionary Medal
- China Service Medal (extended)
- American Campaign Medal
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (5 battle stars)
- World War II Victory Medal
- Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia and Europe clasps)
- National Defense Service Medal
- Vietnam Service Medal (3 battle stars)
- Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
- Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Medal with Palm)
- Philippine Liberation Medal
- Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
See also
In Spanish: USS Intrepid (CV-11) para niños
- Intrepid Four
- List of aircraft carriers
- List of museum ships
