AnEssex-classaircraft carrierof theUnited States Navy, CV-12 was originally ordered with the assigned nameKearsarge, but was renamedHornetwhile under construction afterCV-8was sunk at theBattle of Santa Cruzin 1942.Hornetwas commissioned in 1943 and earned thirteen battle stars from combat service in the Pacific Theater ofWorld War IIand theVietnam War. It was also a recovery vessel for several space missions from the Apollo program, most famouslyApollo 11.Hornetwas decommissioned for the last time in 1970, and is currently a museum ship in Alameda, California, near the city ofSan Francisco.
uss hornet (cv-12)