Hampton Roads Naval Museum

Unrest at Sea

During the closing stages of the conflict, the U.S. Armed Forces experienced severe social unrest. Drug and alcohol usage in Southeast Asia attracted such attention that the Navy screened Sailors and Marines. Although fewer than 0.5% tested positive, ancedotal evidence suggested the true figure was much higher. In 1971, anti-war sentiment surfaced in the Navy with protests among crews of USS Coral Sea (CVA 43) and USS Constellation (CVA 64). In the fall of 1972, racial tensions led to violence on several ships including riots aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CVA 63) and the fleet oiler USS Hassayampa (AO 145).