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USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31/CVA-31) 

Please see below for item level images and donated collections containing photographs of USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31/CVA-31) 

USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) was laid down on 1 February 1943, at the New York Navy Yard; launched 29 April 1944; sponsored by Mrs. John S. McCain, wife of Vice Adm. McCain; and commissioned on 26 November 1944, Captain A.O. Rule Jr., in command.

USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) departed Norfolk 19 March 1945 to join the Pacific Fleet and arrived at Pearl Harbor, T.H., on 5 April 1945. She left San Francisco on 29 October and steamed to Pearl Harbor to undergo conversion for troop transport duty. From 8 November 1945 to 16 January 1946, she made trans-Pacific voyages, returning service members to the United States during Operation Magic Carpet, before being decommissioned on 9 January 1947. USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) was recommissioned on 15 January 1951 and on 10 May departed San Diego for the western Pacific. She joined TF 77 off Korea on 29 May and launched her first air strikes two days later on the 31st.

She was reclassified to an attack aircraft carrier (CVA-31) on 1 October 1952. Just over a week later, she participated in an amphibious feint at Kojo (12–16 October). She continued operations against North Korean targets until 18 December 1952 and then steamed to San Francisco, where she arrived on 8 January 1953. Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) went out of commission on 15 May 1953 preparatory to modernization. When recommissioned on 6 September 1955, she had an angled and strengthened flight deck, enclosed bow, enlarged elevators, and steam catapults. She completed her conversion period on 31 October 1955 and commenced sea trials in the Alameda-San Diego area. Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) then served with the Pacific Fleet and made several tours of the western Pacific.

Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) was decommissioned on 2 July 1971, and on 20 September 1989, stricken from the Navy List. She was disposed of by scrapping on 4 February 1992.

For a complete history of Bon Homme Richard (CV-31/CVA-31) please see its DANFS page.