USS Enterprise CV 6

First commissioned in 1939, the USS Enterprise CV 6 (known as "Big E") was one of three aircraft carriers that was commissioned before and ultimately survived WWII. During her nearly 10 years of service, the USS Enterprise CV 6 participated in a number of pivotal combat missions that would earn her 20 battle stars, more than any other Navy vessel.

However, despite her memorable and highly decorated performances, the USS Enterprise CV 6 has also left behind a tragic side to her legacy, namely in the loss of life that resulted from combat missions and asbestos exposure.

As with other aircraft carriers of her generation, the USS Enterprise CV 6 was built with thousands of components made from asbestos. Because long-term exposure to asbestos fibers causes serious, incurable diseases, it's important that anyone who worked on the USS Enterprise CV 6 be aware of the presence and effects of asbestos aboard aircraft carriers.

The USS Enterprise CV 6 in WWII

In her first series of missions, the USS Enterprise CV 6 transported troops to and trained them at Pearl Harbor. While she was in Wake Island when the Japanese fatefully bombed Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the USS Enterprise CV 6 would return in time to fight off Japanese attack planes, aid injured troops and help repair the extensive damage.

Subsequently, the USS Enterprise CV 6:

• helped protect Samoa
• joined raids on the Marshall Islands and helped destroy 11 Japanese crafts
• bombarded the Wake and Marcus Islands
• took part in the "Doolittle Raid," involving attacks on Tokyo and Honshu
• fought in the Battle of Midway and helped sink four Japanese vessels.

Following these operations and some necessary repairs, the USS Enterprise CV 6:

• supported missions in the Solomon Islands
• fought in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands
• aided Marines at the Makin Islands
• joined in strikes on Truk, Yap and Palau
• attacked the Marianas and fought in the subsequent Battle of the Philippine Sea.

After undergoing another overhaul, the USS Enterprise CV 6:

• participated in attacks at Yap, Ulithi and Palau
• supported strikes on Tokyo and Iwo Jima
• fought off kamikaze bombardments at Okinawa.

These missions would directly contribute to the Japanese surrender and the end of WWII. Like her fleet-mates, the USS Enterprise CV 6 then took part in "Operation Magic Carpet," bringing troops home after the end of the war.

The Legacy of the USS Enterprise CV 6

Shortly after the war in 1947, the USS Enterprise CV 6 would be decommissioned and sold for scrap. In her prolific and admirable work, the USS Enterprise CV 6 earned more battle stars of any other carrier and was awarded the first "Presidential Unit Citation."

Unfortunately, however, this isn't the only aspect of the USS Enterprise CV 6's legacy. Both combat and asbestos exposure aboard this battleship destroyed hundreds of lives. While the effects of combat have long been over, the damage done by asbestos is likely to persist for years, as asbestos-related diseases have long latency periods.

Since most people who spent time aboard the USS Enterprise CV 6 experienced unsafe asbestos exposure, and since asbestos exposure causes fatal diseases, those who worked on or aboard the USS Enterprise CV 6 should contact us for more information and resources regarding asbestos exposure aboard aircraft carriers. Education and early treatment are key to saving lives.