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USS Coral Sea (CVB-43/CVA-43/CV-43)

Please see below for item level images and donated collections containing photographs of USS Coral Sea (CVB-43/CVA-43/CV-43)

USS Coral Sea (CVB-43) was launched 2 April 1946 by Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., Newport News, Va., sponsored by Mrs. T. C. Kinkaid; commissioned 1 October 1947, Captain A. P. Storrs, III, in command; and reported to the Atlantic Fleet.

USS Coral Sea (CVB-43) sailed from Norfolk 7 June 1948 for a midshipmen cruise to the Mediterranean and Caribbean, and returned to Norfolk 11 August. An overhaul and local operations upon her return, as well as training with Air Group 17, prepared her for a return to the Mediterranean once more on 20 March 1951. Reclassified CVA-43 on 1 October 1952, she returned to Norfolk for overhaul 12 October.

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) trained pilots in carrier operations off the Virginia Capes and Mayport, Fla., and in April 1953 she embarked the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives for a 3-day cruise. On 26 April the carrier sailed for a tour of duty in the Mediterranean. USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) returned to the Mediterranean from 7 July to 20 December 1954, and during this tour was visited by Generalissimo Franco as she lay off Valencia, Spain. On her next tour of duty in the Mediterranean from 23 March to 29 September 1955, she called at Istanbul, and participated in NATO exercises.

Sailing from Norfolk 23 July 1956 for Mayport to embark Carrier Air Group 10, USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) continued on to the Mediterranean on her next tour. During the Suez Crisis, she evacuated American citizens from the troubled area, and stood by off Egypt until November. She returned to Norfolk 11 February 1957. USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) was decommissioned for conversion 24 May 1957, and upon completion was recommissioned 25 January 1960 to rejoin the Fleet. During September 1960, she conducted training with her new air group along the west coast, then sailed in September for a tour of duty with the 7th Fleet in the Far East.

For a complete history of USS Coral Sea (CVB-43/CVA-43/CV-43) please see its DANFS page.