Commissioned in May 1938, the USS Enterprise (CV-6) swiftly became one of the most formidable instruments in the United States Navy’s arsenal during World War II. Often referred to as the “Big E,” the aircraft carrier carved a legacy of valor and resilience that is nothing short of legendary. Unlike its contemporary naval counterparts, the USS Enterprise was at the heart of the war in the Pacific, shaping the trajectory of the conflict with its pivotal role in major battles such as Midway and Guadalcanal.
The USS Enterprise’s storied journey in WWII is marked by a series of commendable feats. Within days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the Enterprise displayed its fighting spirit, becoming the first U.S. Navy warship to sink an enemy vessel—the Japanese submarine I-70. The carrier’s involvement in the Doolittle Raid on Japan further exemplified its strategic significance, as it played a key part in America’s response to Pearl Harbor. The resilience of the “Big E” was further evidenced in the heat of battle at Midway in June 1942, where her aircraft were instrumental in sinking three Japanese carriers and a cruiser—a turning point in the Pacific Theater.
The USS Enterprise’s merit did not falter during the grueling Guadalcanal Campaign, where it not only covered landings but engaged in the battles of Eastern Solomons and Santa Cruz Islands. Despite sustaining damage, the carrier’s crew never wavered, pressing on to launch aircraft that would aid in the pivotal Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. This exceptional service record led to the USS Enterprise being decorated as the most celebrated U.S. Navy warship during the war, receiving 20 battle stars and both the Presidential Unit Citation and Navy Unit Commendation—the only carrier to be awarded both for service in WWII.
After the war, the enterprise of the “Big E” did not go unnoticed. The aircraft carrier’s accomplishments were chronicled across newspapers, and it was honored with the British Admiralty Pennant, marking her as the only ship outside the Royal Navy to receive such a distinction. Her last mission saw her partake in the “Magic Carpet” voyages, bringing thousands of servicemen back home. Yet, the legacy of the USS Enterprise CV-6 faced an anticlimactic end. Despite efforts to preserve the ship as a museum and national memorial—a testament to its historical importance—financial constraints led to its sale for scrapping in July 1958.
This decision is now widely regarded as a misstep in preserving America’s rich military heritage. Many contemporaries saw the disposal of the USS Enterprise as a lost opportunity to maintain a tangible connection to the valorous past of the U.S. Navy. The ship that had become a beacon of hope and pride during some of the darkest days of the 20th century was relegated to memory, leaving future generations to piece together its storied history from the annals of time.
Nevertheless, the spirit of the USS Enterprise CV-6 lives on. Its name has been carried forward by subsequent vessels, including the nuclear-powered CVN-65, which served for fifty years before being decommissioned in 2012, and the forthcoming CVN-80, expected to be completed by 2025. The legacy of the “Big E” extends even into the realms of science fiction, as it inspired the moniker of the iconic starship in Gene Roddenberry’s “Star Trek” series—a fitting tribute to a ship whose real-life exploits are as extraordinary as any voyage of the starship Enterprise.
Relevant articles:
– USS Enterprise (CV, Navy (.mil)
– Enterprise (CV, Navy (.mil), Jan 11, 2023
– Aircraft Carrier Photo Index: USS ENTERPRISE (CV, Navsource, Jan 20, 2024
– USS Enterprise: Why CV-6 Is the U.S. Navy’s Best Aircraft Carrier Ever, The National Interest, Feb 19, 2024