USS Boxer (CV-21)

USS Boxer (CV-21) was a US Navy Essex-class aircraft carrier that played a significant role in the Korean War and the Cold War. The ship was named after the earlier USS Boxer (CV-5), which was a Yorktown-class aircraft carrier that served during World War II. The Essex-class ships, including USS Essex (CV-9), USS Yorktown (CV-10), and USS Intrepid (CV-11), were designed to be larger and more advanced than the previous Yorktown-class carriers. The US Navy also operated other aircraft carriers like USS Midway (CV-41) and USS Forrestal (CV-59) during this period.

● History

The history of USS Boxer (CV-21) began during World War II, when the ship was commissioned on April 16, 1945, at the New York Navy Yard in Brooklyn, New York. The ship's first commanding officer was Captain William B. Franke, who had previously served on USS Enterprise (CV-6). After the war, the ship participated in several NATO exercises, including Operation Mainbrace and Operation Mariner, alongside other ships like USS Coral Sea (CV-43) and HMS Ark Royal (R09). The ship also made several deployments to the Mediterranean Sea, where it operated with the Sixth Fleet and visited ports like Piraeus, Greece, and Istanbul, Turkey. The ship's crew included notable individuals like Admiral Arleigh Burke, who later became the Chief of Naval Operations, and Captain Hyman G. Rickover, who played a key role in the development of the US Navy's nuclear submarine program.

● Design and construction

The design and construction of USS Boxer (CV-21) were overseen by the US Navy's Bureau of Ships, which was responsible for the design and construction of all US Navy ships during this period. The ship was built at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia, and was launched on December 14, 1944. The ship's design was based on the earlier Essex-class carriers, but with several improvements, including a longer flight deck and more advanced radar systems. The ship was also equipped with a range of anti-submarine warfare systems, including sonar and depth charges, to counter the threat posed by Soviet submarines like K-19. The ship's construction involved several notable companies, including General Electric, which provided the ship's turbines, and Westinghouse Electric, which provided the ship's electric motors.

● Service history

The service history of USS Boxer (CV-21) included several deployments to the Korean Peninsula during the Korean War, where the ship operated with the Seventh Fleet and provided air support to United Nations ground forces. The ship's air group included several squadrons, including VF-51 and VA-65, which flew a range of aircraft, including the F9F Panther and the AD Skyraider. The ship also participated in several NATO exercises, including Operation Strikeback and Operation Dawn Patrol, alongside other ships like USS Saratoga (CV-60) and HMS Victorious (R38). The ship's crew included notable individuals like Admiral James L. Holloway Jr., who later became the Chief of Naval Operations, and Captain Elmo Zumwalt, who played a key role in the development of the US Navy's riverine warfare program.

● Awards and legacy

The awards and legacy of USS Boxer (CV-21) include several battle stars for the ship's service during the Korean War and the Cold War. The ship also received several awards, including the Navy Unit Commendation and the Meritorious Unit Commendation, for its service during this period. The ship's legacy continues to be celebrated by the US Navy and the American Legion, which has recognized the ship's contributions to the Korean War and the Cold War. The ship's name has also been adopted by several other ships, including USS Boxer (LHD-4), which is a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship that serves in the US Navy today. The ship's history has also been documented by several notable historians, including Samuel Eliot Morison and Stephen Howarth, who have written extensively on the US Navy's role in the Korean War and the Cold War. Category:Essex-class aircraft carriers