USS Constellation CV-64
This unique lithograph is among the most striking portrayals of the mighty U.S.S. Constellation ever created. It commemorates and celebrates one of America’s most powerful and versatile miltary assetts and depicts the aircraft carrier in all its glory. It also includes notes and facts about the vessel, such as the ship’s history and vital statistics.
Text from the Portrait:
A powerful force for freedom, The USS Constellation (CV-64) takes its name from the original frigate Constellation. Authorized by the Congress of 1797, the frigate is now a national shrine in Baltimore, M.D.. The first ship of our fledging Navy to put to sea, USF Constellation was also first to engage and defeat a man-of-war from the Old World: the French frigate “L’Insurgente” in 1799.
The USF Constellation was christened in honor of the National Symbol, the circle of stars in the original American flag. The Continental Congress of 1777 resolved “That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.
The current USS Constellation (CV-64) was commissioned in October 1961, at the New York Naval Shipbuilding Yard. The following year, Connie sailed around Cape Horn to become home ported at San Diego, California and assume her duties in the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
In the ensuing twenty years, Connie and her embarked air wing CVW-9 participated in twelve deployments to the Western Pacific within the Seventh Fleet theater of operations. Seven of these deployments saw Connie aircraft engaged in combat operations to support U.S. policy in Vietnam. The Connie Air Wing, in 1973 received the Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance against an armed enemy. During this period, LT. Randy Cunningham and LTJG Willie Driscoll became the first aces of the Vietnam War, downing seven MIG aircraft. Connie’s 1980 deployment saw her set the Pacific record for 110 continuous days of sea duty in the Indian Ocean during the Iranian hostage crisis.
Throughout her distinguished career, Connie’s most important asset has been the people who have served her so well and brought to life the spirit of the old and the pride of the new.
This work was completed in 1981.