The history of the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier in the second world war

The history of the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier in the second world war

by Gracio Fransisco Petrus

USS Enterprise (CV-6) is an American aircraft carrier used in the second world war. USS Enterprise was created in 1936 and became 1 of 3 United States aircraft carriers in service before the second world war. Various battles have been fought by the Enterprise and its crew, from the beginning of the pacific war until in the end. Several times this aircraft carrier was hit by bombs and suicide missions by the Japanese imperial troops (Kamikaze), but it was still able to sail around the Pacific Ocean. The Enterprise had to be in a shipyard due to a kamikaze attack by the Japanese army, and then only used as a troop transport ship to return to America. Here are interesting facts about the USS Enterprise in the second world war.

1. 20 Battle Stars, the most of all American warships during the second world war.

In each battle, each ship that takes part in it will receive awards. Stunning action in battle can also make a ship and its crew get awards from fleet leaders and their government. This is what makes USS Enterprise finally get many star awards because this ship was often involved in combat in the Pacific during World War 2.

1. The turning point of the pacific front in second world war.

Japan's success in the Pearl Harbour attack and the dominance of the Japanese fleet in the Pacific, made United States commanders look for ways to stop Japan. Until finally, in a moment at the battle of Midway, the fighter squadron from Enterprise managed to bomb 4 Japanese aircraft carriers. The interesting point is, 2 of the 4 ships (akagi and hiryu) were destroyed by Lieutenant Commander Richard Halsey "Dick" Best. This action led by Group Commander C. Wade McClusky, Jr. This caused the Japanese fleet commander Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto to withdraw his fleet, and made Japan's dominance in the Pacific slowly fade.

1. Affected by Kamikaze, USS Enterprise can still sail.

At the battle of Leyte Gulf, Japan, on the verge of defeat on the Pacific front, formed kamikaze squadrons. This Squadron focuses on flying its planes carrying bombs and flying them towards enemy ships to cause damage to enemy ships. USS Enterprise is one of the American ships that was hit by this kamikaze attack. The aftermath of this attack damaged 6 decks on the Enterprise's forward barn. This ultimately forced the Enterprise to be pulled out of the US Pacific Fleet and get maintenance and repairs at Puget Sound Navy Yard.

Enterprise's participation in the war in the Pacific, making it the most recognizable of all American ships that participated in World War 2. because of these actions, Enterprise got several nicknames, either from the Japanese or the American side. The Japanese give a nickname for Enterprise "The Ghost" and the American give a nickname for Enterprise "The Lucky E", due to the success of the ship and its crew in try as hard as they can in carrying out the battle in the pacific.