USS Kitty Hawk CV-63 v1
This unique lithograph is among the most striking portrayals of mighty USS Kitty Hawk, America’s flagship, 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 Kitty Hawk (CV-63) takes its name from the first airplane flight in 1903 near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. If that first flight by Wilbur and Orville Wright had been made on the deck of the USS Kitty Hawk, it would have taken nine flights just to travel from bow to stern of the ship.
INTEREST FACTS ABOUT KITTY HAWK (CV-63)
The first Kitty Hawk Navy ship was initially a 498 foot commercial ship built in 1932. It was acquired by the Navy and modified into an aircraft transport. In 1946 she returned to commercial service.
The present Kitty Hawk, first designated (CVA-63) was constructed by New York Shipbuilding Corp. in Camden, New Jersey, launched 21 May 1961 and commissioned 19 April 1961. The ship then cruised around South America to her homeport at San Diego, California where she prepared for her first Western Pacific Deployment which began 13 September 1962.
After returning to homeport in April 1963, the Kitty Hawk became known as President John F. Kennedy’s “Floating White House.”
In 1976, at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, extensive modernizations were performed and Kitty Hawk’s new designation became (CV-63). Major alterations included installation of new Anti-Submarine Warfare Module, the VAST Aircraft Maintenance System, and the NATO Sea Sparrow Anti-Air Missile Systems. Additional modifications were made to enable Kitty Hawk to house the new F-14 Tomcat and S-3 Viking Aircraft.
Kitty Hawk’s motto: Be Proud, Be Professional, Press On, Steam, Fly and Fight
Special Awards & Honors
- Presidential Unit Citation
- Navy Unit Commendation
- Meritorious Unit Commendation
- Battle “E”
- Navy Expeditionary Medal
- National Defense Medal
- Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
- Vietnam Service Ribbon
- Vietnam Gallantry Crown w/Palm Leaf
- Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon
This work was completed in 1984.