uss "enterprise" (cv-6), often called "the big e," was the sixth aircraft carrier of the united states navy. she was also the seventh u.s. navy ship to use the name "enterprise". she was launched in 1936 and was a "yorktown" class aircraft carrier. she was one of three american carriers brought into service before world war ii which survived the war. she took part in more fights against japan than any other u.s. ship. these fights included the battle of midway, the battle of the eastern solomons, the battle of the santa cruz islands, many other fights during the guadalcanal campaign, the battle of the philippine sea, and the battle of leyte gulf. at three different times during the pacific war, the japanese said that she had been sunk in battle. this lead her being nicknamed "the grey ghost".