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Raysbrook, Frank (Field Day Frankie), CAPT.
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USS VALLEY FORGE (CV-45) (later CVA-45, CVS-45 and LPH-8)
CLASS - ESSEX (Long Hull) AKA TICONDEROGA
Displacement 27,100 Tons, Dimensions, 888' (oa) x 93' x 28' 7" (Max)
Armament 12 x 5"/38AA, 32 x 40mm, 46 x 20mm, 82 Aircraft.
Armor, 4" Belt, 2 1/2" Hanger deck, 1 1/2" Deck, 1 1/2" Conning Tower.
Machinery, 150,000 SHP; Westinghouse Geared Turbines, 4 screws
Speed, 33 Knots, Crew 3448.
Essex Class (*) Aircraft Carrier
Ordered
Laid down
Launched
Commissioned
Decommissioned
Stricken
14 June 1943
14 Sept. 1943
21 Nov. 1945
3 Nov. 1946
15 Jan. 1970
15 Jan. 1970
Builder: Philadelphia Navy Yard, Philadelphia, PA
(*) "Long Hull" group, aka Ticonderoga Class
Named for a locality in Chester County, PA, where the Continental Army suffered bitter cold and privation during the winter of 1777–1778 while British troops basked in warmth and plenty in nearby Philadelphia. Yet, because of the inspiring example of leaders like George Washington and skillful training by drill instructors like Friedrich Wilhelm Augustus von Steuben, the American Army emerged from its winter encampment with renewed self confidence, courage, and fighting ability. The name Valley Forge has since become a symbol of the triumph of American patriotism and self-sacrifice.
Valley Forge was built with money raised by the citizens of Philadelphia in a special war bond drive.
Reclassified as an "Attack Aircraft Carrier" and redesignated CVA-45, 1 Oct 1952.
Modified at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, VA, and reclassified as an "Antisubmarine Warfare Support Aircraft Carrier" (CVS-45), 1 Jan 1954.
Converted to an "Amphibious Assault Ship (Helicopter)" at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, VA, Mar–Jul 1961. Reclassified LPH-8, 1 Jul 1961. Valley Forge was the third and last Essex-class carrier converted to an LPH, and her conversion was more austere than the other two — Boxer (CV-21 / LPH-4) and Princeton (CV-37 / LPH-5).
Fate: Sold for scrapping to Nicolai Joffre Corp., Beverly Hills, CA, 29 Oct 1971.
Named For:
CV-45 was named for a locality in Chester County, PA, where the Continental Army suffered bitter cold and privation during the winter of 1777–1778 while British troops basked in warmth and plenty in nearby Philadelphia. Yet, because of the inspiring example of leaders like George Washington and skillful training by drill instructors like Friedrich Wilhelm Augustus von Steuben, the American Army emerged from its winter encampment with renewed self confidence, courage, and fighting ability. The name Valley Forge has since become a symbol of the triumph of American patriotism and self-sacrifice. (Text from DANFS [Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.])
YN Pierson, Al (USview, NTWS Chief Admin ), YN2 
7756 
