Veterans
Related: About this forumNavy veterans: my plan for a new naming program for our aircraft carriers.
Full disclosure: I'm ex-Army, but I'm still fascinated by naval vessels.
I have to tell you, I'm pretty sick and tired of having our carriers named for famous figures in American history. And I think it's a really bad idea to name them after Presidents. After all, Cadet Bonespurs could, theoretically, get one named after him someday.
Carriers used to be named after battles, like Lexington, Saratoga, or Iwo Jima. Or after famous American ships from the Age of Sail, like Hornet, Wasp, or Enterprise.
I'd like to start a new program whereby carriers take their names only from either the original six frigates (other than Constitution, of course) or else the names of the states, like they used to do with battleships, (with the exception of Arizona and Utah. )
That would leave us with fifty-three names for new carriers. With state names, we could bestow them in the order the states entered the Union, i.e. U.S.S. Delaware, etc.
What do you think of that idea?

Docreed2003
(18,430 posts)I don't have a problem with the idea, other than I think we should always have a ship named Enterprise, but that's a personal preference.
Aristus
(70,425 posts)I knew there was a protocol against using Arizona or Utah again. Is there one for Oklahoma?
And yes, definitely let's always have an Enterprise...
marble falls
(67,055 posts)Aristus
(70,425 posts)I don't know (see above) if there's an actual protocol in place against the naming of new ships for Arizona, in honor of the U.S.S. Arizona, but if there is, I agree with it.
marble falls
(67,055 posts)deteriorating and will be functionally gone in a few decades.
I've seen the silver ward settings for her at the AZ state fair and the thought they could be placed on a new Arizona pleases me.
Aristus
(70,425 posts)putting the issue to a consortium of naval veterans from the State of Arizona to get a decision on whether or not to revive the name for future ships.
marble falls
(67,055 posts)GP6971
(35,854 posts)is an active Military Cemetery. So the Navy may not consider a new ship in her name....just a thought.
Aristus
(70,425 posts)I visited the Memorial. Very moving. I'm sure they'll find a way to preserve the memorial even after the ship has rusted completely away.
CatMor
(6,212 posts)naming after the state's could also mean to honor the women and men from those states who served our country.
Aristus
(70,425 posts)They could even use that in the christening ceremony for the new ships.
"In honor of the men and women of the great state of Delaware, I christen thee U.S.S. Delaware!
Sounds good...
bluedigger
(17,272 posts)
redstatebluegirl
(12,720 posts)Aristus
(70,425 posts)I hadn't thought of MOH recipients.
Haggis for Breakfast
(6,831 posts)And naming ships after honored heroes sits well with me too. I'd like to see the U.S.S. William McRaven. But I would LOVE to see the U.S.S. Barack H. Obama.
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)I would prefer that they be named after the battles as they once were and of course their must be one named Enterprise.
I prefer
Enterprise
Constellation
Saratoga
Ticonderoga
Yorktown
Hornet
Lexington
Intrepid
Wasp
Kearsage
Shangri-La
Oriskany
Aristus
(70,425 posts)
GP6971
(35,854 posts)the Franklin to that list.
The River
(2,615 posts)the enlisted crew will find /make up a dirty nickname.
Having served aboard an old Essex class carrier (CVA 19)
it was unavoidable.
Aristus
(70,425 posts)It's a grand old naval tradition...
Kaleva
(39,656 posts)Boomers can be states, attack subs named after fish, cruisers after cities, destroyers and frigates named after destroyers that were active during WWII.
Angleae
(4,731 posts)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohio-class_submarine
There's also a USS New York in service https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_New_York_(LPD-21)
Aristus
(70,425 posts)n/t