SAY IT WITH SAILORS

Aug 8

The flight deck of an aircraft carrier is perhaps the most dangerous place on earth to work. The Navy ratings who work there risk death in any number of ways—propeller strikes, engine intake ingestion, ordnance explosion, fuel fire, arrestor cables removing limbs, aircraft losing control and on and on. Every few minutes a 35,000 pound airplane literally crashes to the deck, airplanes are moving, propeller discs are threatening decapitation or de-limbing. People are everywhere. Flame, heat, deafening noise, fumes, toxins and danger are omnipresent. On top of all this are layered high winds, driving rain, a heaving deck and even the dark of night. It’s not the place to be if you are preoccupied by something other than the one part you have in this choreographed mayhem. It’s not the place to be if you are not aware of your surroundings.

So why, then, is it that the aircraft carrier’s flight deck can also become a thousand foot long, thousand sailor-strong, sentimental Hallmark greeting card? How can the most dangerous working environment also be the same place that a crew can send a message to a little boy dying of cancer, or birthday greetings to a Queen, or even just letting their mothers know they are thinking of them? I am speaking of the long-entrenched and truly weird practice of the aircraft carrier spell-out. Tim Dubé, military historian and former Navy cadet, explains the history of the spell-out: “This is an evolution of the custom of ‘manning the rails,’ itself an evolution of ‘manning the yards’ when sailors would climb the masts and position themselves along the spars or yards to render honours. It’s also done as a form of honour when entering a harbour to show no hostile intent—if you are manning the rails, you can’t be manning the guns. With aircraft carriers not really having rails, it would make sense to ‘say it with sailors,’ particularly if there was a bridge to pass under like the Golden Gate Bridge at San Francisco.”

The art of arranging large groups of sailors on the deck of an aircraft carrier is a practice long entrenched in the world of carrier operations. It is not known when this practice began, but a recent article in the Smithsonian’s Air & Space website suggested it may have started around the end of the Second World War. To be fair, they admitted it may have been earlier, but they were not sure. In my quest to find photographs of aircraft carrier flight deck spell-outs, I came across one photograph of the USS Lexington (CV-2) with her decks cleared of aircraft and a few hundred of her sailors turned out in dress whites and lined up quite artistically to spell-out the word NAVY. I probably will never know if this is the first example of a spell-out on a carrier deck, but the date is nearly ten years before the end of the war—1936 to be exact. The early date and the fact that they are spelling out perhaps the most simple of all words a navy crew could spell (NAVY) leads me to postulate that this may be one of the first deck spell-outs.

This is the earliest image I was able to find on the internet of an aircraft carrier carrying out a “flight deck spell-out.” Here, USS Lexington (CV-2), the first of the Lexington-class carriers, spells out NAVY—the most basic of words known to the United States Navy. It is possible, because of the simplicity of the message and the early date—17 September 1936—that we are looking at one of the first, if not the first, examples of the flight deck spell-out. Lexington is dead in the water off Long Beach, California. Photo: U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph (# NH 67420) via navsource.org — This is the earliest image I was able to find on the internet of an aircraft carrier carrying out a “flight deck spell-out.” Here, USS *Lexington* (CV-2), the first of the Lexington-class carriers, spells out NAVY—the most basic of words known to the United States Navy. It is possible, because of the simplicity of the message and the early date—17 September 1936—that we are looking at one of the first, if not the first, examples of the flight deck spell-out. *Lexington* is dead in the water off Long Beach, California. Photo: U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph (# NH 67420) via navsource.org

The practice has come a long way since then. Today, it is a tradition that every carrier in the US Navy, and indeed in most aircraft carrier-equipped navies of the world, carries out. The first time it was thought of, I can imagine the Captain of the ship (let’s just say it was Lexington) thinking to himself, “I’ve got a floating parade ground 888 feet long and 107 feet wide. I have 2,800 bored sailors and airmen. I have a ship’s photographer and any number of aircraft that can climb above this deck. What can I do to create a photo that will get attention for the Lady Lex, the Navy and my crew?” My guess is it went something like that but now, nearly 80 years later, it is a tradition practiced by every crew of every aircraft carrier in every navy. Even the submariners are doing it... but one can imagine the limitations a submarine forces on creativity. Not so the carrier.

In the 1930s, as it still is today, the aircraft carrier was the height of technology, a magnet for the press, politicians, the curious, the young ladies and the young men of America. Just as soon as the first flight deck spell-out photo was taken, there is no doubt that it appeared in Navy magazines like “All Hands” and was a huge hit with local and national newspapers. Copying the idea was guaranteed to happen. By war’s end, carriers returning home were sending flight deck spell-out messages to their home ports or new ports of call.

My earliest memory of seeing a carrier flight deck spell-out was the now famous image of America’s first nuclear-powered carrier and her attendant nuclear powered task force steaming together at high speed across the ocean with the massive deck of USS Enterprise hosting a thousand or more sailors in brilliant white uniforms formed up to spell out E=mc2, the famous mass-energy equivalence formula, first proposed by Albert Einstein and considered a fundamental formula of the Nuclear Age. Alongside steamed two other ships of the line that were also powered by the atom—USS Long Beach and USS Bainbridge. The ships were demonstrating the capabilities on the new Navy by circumnavigating the planet without refuelling. Enterprise’s deck was immense, the aircraft—Vigilantes, Crusaders and Skyhawks—were all arranged in an artistic arrowhead design. The formation of the letters and number was perfection. The sun was shining. It blew my mind.

Over the past few months, I had been researching a couple of stories about aircraft carriers and began to come across many photographs of this strangely compelling practice of getting ship’s crews to form letters on the decks to send messages to people on shore. I started collecting them in a folder. Then I came across a page on Wikipedia where someone had collected scores of these photographs in one place, many of which I had in my folder. These photos also had US Navy press release-style captions attached, indicating that the media or public affairs people of the US Navy often got involved in these spell-outs... at least after the fact.

I also went repeatedly to a site called navsource.org, an excellent unofficial website which has collected statistics, cruise logs, photographs and anecdotes of nearly every ship ever to sail with the United States Navy. It is an astonishing collection of information and images and certainly one of the better, if not the best, site of this type I have found. I highly recommend a visit to the site, as it will draw you in for hours on end.

Scouring the entries for every aircraft carrier, I found many fine examples of the spell-out. I also noticed a few things. Escort carriers rarely were the canvas for a spell-out. Spell-outs on decks devoid of aircraft are not nearly as impressive as ones with aircraft. Some were exquisitely perfect, while others were remarkably sloppy. Some carriers were more active in the practice than others. The one thing that was common to all of these images was the clear message of pride in one’s ship and one’s navy.

Here now, for your enjoyment, are only some of the many photographs of aircraft carrier spell-outs I was able to discover over the past year. Every day I find others, and perhaps this can be the repository for as many as people can find. If you have other examples and would like them added to this story, send me a shot (700 pixel wide minimum) and a caption that tells what ship, where, when and possibly why and I will endeavour to add them.

There is an old marketing slogan used by florists worldwide that has been in use for years: “Say it with Flowers!” The carrier-equipped navies of the world have a better way to express sympathy, love, admiration, pride, patriotism and commemoration—they SAY IT WITH SAILORS!

Dave O’Malley, with thanks to Navsource.org and Kevin Nesdoly

The Port Of Call Shout-Out

For me, the greatest and most powerful of the great carrier flight deck spell-outs are those that give a massive shout-out to the ports of call they are arriving at or departing from. They are crowd favourites indeed. Like a rock star who shouts out “Hey Ottawa! We’re happy to be here tonight!” or “Hey Des Moines! Those Iowa girls are the cutest!” or “What’s up Green Bay, how about them Packers?” a carrier shout-out is never interpreted as manipulative and is always embraced by the community. Often the carrier creates the spell-out while approaching the city, passing under her bridges, below her lofty buildings. This is designed to get as much attention as possible... perhaps to get the word out to the pretty girls.

The ship usually puts up their own aircraft or helicopter, but sometimes newspaper photographers will take their own photographs from a bridge or high point. Regardless, the photographs are soon to appear in the port’s daily newspapers and, more often than not, are picked up in others across the country.

Here, starting with some good old hometown Canadian shout-outs, are some of the finest I could find on God’s gift to the curious—the internet.

When I started searching for aircraft carrier flight deck spell-outs, I was hoping to find a few that related to Canada. The Royal Canadian Navy operated only three carriers after the Second World War—Warrior, Magnificent and Bonaventure. While I found a couple of deck spell-outs on HMCS Bonaventure, I would also have to rely on American carriers for some Canadian content. Here USS Coral Sea (CV-43) pays a friendly visit to Vancouver, British Columbia in 1960, shortly after her recommissioning, and her crew makes us proud by spelling out a shout-out to their neighbours from the north. Photo: US Navy and usscoralsea.net — When I started searching for aircraft carrier flight deck spell-outs, I was hoping to find a few that related to Canada. The Royal Canadian Navy operated only three carriers after the Second World War—*Warrior*, *Magnificent* and *Bonaventure*. While I found a couple of deck spell-outs on HMCS *Bonaventure*, I would also have to rely on American carriers for some Canadian content. Here USS *Coral Sea* (CV-43) pays a friendly visit to Vancouver, British Columbia in 1960, shortly after her recommissioning, and her crew makes us proud by spelling out a shout-out to their neighbours from the north. Photo: US Navy and usscoralsea.net

We Speak Your Language.

Not all spell-outs are written in the alphabet or language that we Westerners think is the only one. In fact, if you want your 1,000 sailor message to be understood in Yokosuka, Athens or Brunsbüttel Roads, you best form it up in the language and even the alphabet of the girls you want to impress. Sometimes, you want to transliterate the message so that both sides can understand what is being said... SAYONARA for instance was used a number of times by carriers heading home from duty in Japanese waters. And then, if you happen to be a Chinese or Indian aircraft carrier crew... spell it your way!

In early 1960, the crew of the Essex-class aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CVS-10) form Japanese characters reading “HELLO JAPAN” as she arrives in Japanese waters to commence another tour with the US Seventh Fleet. The transliteration of the Japanese characters is: “HaRo-NiHon.” Photo: US Navy — In early 1960, the crew of the Essex-class aircraft carrier USS *Yorktown* (CVS-10) form Japanese characters reading “HELLO JAPAN” as she arrives in Japanese waters to commence another tour with the US Seventh Fleet. The transliteration of the Japanese characters is: “HaRo-NiHon.” Photo: US Navy

One of the favourite greetings in a language other than English seems to be the Hawaiian greeting “Aloha” with several examples shown in this story. The Australian carrier HMAS Melbourne (R21) is seen here moored at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, h… — One of the favourite greetings in a language other than English seems to be the Hawaiian greeting “Aloha” with several examples shown in this story. The Australian carrier HMAS *Melbourne* (R21) is seen here moored at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, her crew spelling out “Aloha” on her flight deck in cursive script. It is rare indeed to find examples of a deck spell-out in lower case letters. Photo: US Navy

A nice shot of USS Essex (CVS-9) and her accompanying destroyers, USS Miller (left) and USS Wadleigh of US Navy Task Group 83.3, tied up at the piers of St. Pauli Landungsbrücken, part of the harbour facilities at Hamburg, Germany. Soon the ships will be getting up steam to leave out the Elbe River and the North Sea. The crew has been mustered on deck to spell out “TSCHÜSS”—German for Good Bye. The date was 1962, at the very end of her “People to People” cruise to Northern Europe with ports of call in Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Greenock, Scotland. During the Hamburg visit, over one million visitors toured Essex. During her departure, Essex almost ran aground in the shallow Elbe River. Photo: US Navy — A nice shot of USS *Essex* (CVS-9) and her accompanying destroyers, USS *Miller* (left) and USS *Wadleigh* of US Navy Task Group 83.3, tied up at the piers of St. Pauli Landungsbrücken, part of the harbour facilities at Hamburg, Germany. Soon the ships will be getting up steam to leave out the Elbe River and the North Sea. The crew has been mustered on deck to spell out “TSCHÜSS”—German for Good Bye. The date was 1962, at the very end of her “People to People” cruise to Northern Europe with ports of call in Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Greenock, Scotland. During the Hamburg visit, over one million visitors toured *Essex*. During her departure, *Essex* almost ran aground in the shallow Elbe River. Photo: US Navy

On the People to People tour of late 1961–early 1962, USS Essex also visited Rotterdam. Here she is gliding down the Maas River in the company of her escort destroyers. As Christmas was upon them, the members of the crew stand on deck and spell out GOEDE KERST—Merry Christmas in Dutch. It’s impressive if you can actually identify a font used in a spell-out. In this case, it’s the same as the one they used in the previous photograph—Eurostyle Light. Photo: US Navy — On the People to People tour of late 1961–early 1962, USS *Essex* also visited Rotterdam. Here she is gliding down the Maas River in the company of her escort destroyers. As Christmas was upon them, the members of the crew stand on deck and spell out GOEDE KERST—Merry Christmas in Dutch. It’s impressive if you can actually identify a font used in a spell-out. In this case, it’s the same as the one they used in the previous photograph—Eurostyle Light. Photo: US Navy

On 25 April 1957, the Essex-class long hull carrier USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39) is photographed with a special message to the people of Greece as she passes en route to join elements of the fleet at the scene of tension in the Middle East. The task force would cruise in the vicinity of Lebanon and back Jordan’s stand against the threat of communism. Ranged on her flight deck are aircraft of Air Task Group (ATG) 182. The message, roughly pronounced “CHAERE HELLAS” means “GREETINGS TO GREECE” in the Greek alphabet. Lake Champlain was the prime recovery ship for the first manned Mercury and for the third manned Gemini space missions. Unlike her contemporaries, she did not get upgraded with an angled flight deck and was the last American carrier in operation with an axial flight deck. The carrier was, in one of the traditions of the US Navy, named for an American battle victory—the Battle of Lake Champlain, sometimes also referred to as the Battle of Plattsburgh. It was fought on 11 September 1814 and helped to end the final British invasion of the northern states during the War of 1812. This region and era in American history resulted in a number of aircraft carrier names—Ticonderoga, Saratoga, Yorktown, Lexington, Bunker Hill, Bennington, and Princeton. Photo: US Navy via navsource.org — On 25 April 1957, the Essex-class long hull carrier USS *Lake Champlain* (CVA-39) is photographed with a special message to the people of Greece as she passes en route to join elements of the fleet at the scene of tension in the Middle East. The task force would cruise in the vicinity of Lebanon and back Jordan’s stand against the threat of communism. Ranged on her flight deck are aircraft of Air Task Group (ATG) 182. The message, roughly pronounced “CHAERE HELLAS” means “GREETINGS TO GREECE” in the Greek alphabet. *Lake Champlain* was the prime recovery ship for the first manned Mercury and for the third manned Gemini space missions. Unlike her contemporaries, she did not get upgraded with an angled flight deck and was the last American carrier in operation with an axial flight deck. The carrier was, in one of the traditions of the US Navy, named for an American battle victory—the Battle of Lake Champlain, sometimes also referred to as the Battle of Plattsburgh. It was fought on 11 September 1814 and helped to end the final British invasion of the northern states during the War of 1812. This region and era in American history resulted in a number of aircraft carrier names—Ticonderoga, Saratoga, Yorktown, Lexington, Bunker Hill, Bennington, and Princeton. Photo: US Navy via navsource.org

You say Hello, I’ll say Goodbye. Sailors, spelling out SAYONARA, form a message of farewell on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Midway (CV-41) as the ship heads out to sea after leaving US Naval Station, Yokosuka, Japan, for the last time. Midway, which had been based in Japan since 1973, was replaced by USS Independence (CV-62). Photo: US Navy — You say Hello, I’ll say Goodbye. Sailors, spelling out SAYONARA, form a message of farewell on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS *Midway* (CV-41) as the ship heads out to sea after leaving US Naval Station, Yokosuka, Japan, for the last time. *Midway*, which had been based in Japan since 1973, was replaced by USS Independence (CV-62). Photo: US Navy

Crew members from USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63, alternately called Battle Cat or Shitty Kitty) had nearly finished their spell-out of SAYONARA when this photo was taken as they bid farewell to Yokosuka, Japan in May of 2008. Kitty Hawk was a forward-deployed aircraft carrier based in Japan. Photo: US Navy — Crew members from USS *Kitty Hawk* (CV-63, alternately called *Battle Cat* or *Shitty Kitty*) had nearly finished their spell-out of SAYONARA when this photo was taken as they bid farewell to Yokosuka, Japan in May of 2008. *Kitty Hawk* was a forward-deployed aircraft carrier based in Japan. Photo: US Navy

Pulling back, we see thrusters, fireboats and tugboats working hard to manoeuvre Kitty Hawk out of the harbour at Yokosuka, Japan. She would soon be replaced by USS George Washington (next photo). Photo: US Navy — Pulling back, we see thrusters, fireboats and tugboats working hard to manoeuvre *Kitty Hawk* out of the harbour at Yokosuka, Japan. She would soon be replaced by USS George Washington (next photo). Photo: US Navy

George Washington could never tell a lie. Here, her crew spells out in Japanese characters their joy at being in Japan. A US Navy press release with the photo explains: YOKOSUKA, Japan (Sept. 25, 2008) Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS&nb… — George Washington could never tell a lie. Here, her crew spells out in Japanese characters their joy at being in Japan. A US Navy press release with the photo explains: *YOKOSUKA, Japan (Sept. 25, 2008) Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS* George Washington *(CVN 73) form the phrase “HAJIMEMASHITE,” which means “GREETINGS–NICE TO MEET YOU” in Japanese, as they arrive at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan.* George Washington *and Carrier Air Wing 5 will be operating from Fleet Activities Yokosuka as the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier.* Photo: US Navy

USS Intrepid (CV-11), a short hull Essex-class carrier, wishes Italians BUON NATALE—Merry Christmas—while off Naples, Italy in 1961. The “Fighting I” can now been seen as a floating museum in New York harbour. Image via USS Intrepid Cruise Book 1961–62, US Navy/navsource.org — USS Intrepid (CV-11), a short hull Essex-class carrier, wishes Italians BUON NATALE—Merry Christmas—while off Naples, Italy in 1961. The “*Fighting I*” can now been seen as a floating museum in New York harbour. Image via USS *Intrepid* Cruise Book 1961–62, US Navy/navsource.org

In 2013, just a few days before Christmas, while on patrol on the Mediterranean Sea, the flight deck of the Italian Navy Anti-submarine frigate Grecale (F-571) was the scene of a particularly fun formation. Not a spell-out per se, but a seasonal greeting nonetheless. The pilot of the Agusta-Bell A212 that took the photo was Andy Bernardi. Photo: Italian Navy — In 2013, just a few days before Christmas, while on patrol on the Mediterranean Sea, the flight deck of the Italian Navy Anti-submarine frigate *Grecale* (F-571) was the scene of a particularly fun formation. Not a spell-out per se, but a seasonal greeting nonetheless. The pilot of the Agusta-Bell A212 that took the photo was Andy Bernardi. Photo: Italian Navy

A war weary USS Shangri-La edges into San Pedro Bay to tie up at Los Angeles, California at the end of October 1945. On her deck, her air group’s aircraft are smartly ranged and most of her 1,773 men crew are forming up to spell out the word ALOHA, an appropriate greeting from a ship and her Task Force 38 recently back from the Pacific War. This photo was carried in newspapers across the country. Photo via PicstoPin — A war weary USS *Shangri-La* edges into San Pedro Bay to tie up at Los Angeles, California at the end of October 1945. On her deck, her air group’s aircraft are smartly ranged and most of her 1,773 men crew are forming up to spell out the word ALOHA, an appropriate greeting from a ship and her Task Force 38 recently back from the Pacific War. This photo was carried in newspapers across the country. Photo via PicstoPin

USS Lexington underway with a deck spell-out ALOHA 59, possibly in Pearl Harbor in 1959. Commissioned in 1943, she set more records than any other Essex-class carrier in the history of naval aviation. The ship was the oldest working carrier in the United States Navy when decommissioned in 1991. Photo: US Navy via navsource.org — USS *Lexington* underway with a deck spell-out ALOHA 59, possibly in Pearl Harbor in 1959. Commissioned in 1943, she set more records than any other Essex-class carrier in the history of naval aviation. The ship was the oldest working carrier in the United States Navy when decommissioned in 1991. Photo: US Navy via navsource.org

The crew of the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant of the Indian Navy spells out her name, विक्रांत, which means Courageous in Sanskrit. She was a light fleet carrier of the Majestic-class, built in England (as Hercules) and commissioned in the Indian Navy in 1961. The Vikrant was decommissioned on 31 January 1997 after 36 years of service in the Indian Navy. She steamed 499,066 nautical miles, the equivalent of 15 times around the world. The carrier is currently subject to a campaign to preserve her for posterity—the only wartime-constructed British aircraft carrier to be under possible preservation. Photo and info from www.bharat-rakshak.com — The crew of the aircraft carrier INS *Vikrant* of the Indian Navy spells out her name, विक्रांत, which means *Courageous* in Sanskrit. She was a light fleet carrier of the Majestic-class, built in England (as *Hercules*) and commissioned in the Indian Navy in 1961. The *Vikrant* was decommissioned on 31 January 1997 after 36 years of service in the Indian Navy. She steamed 499,066 nautical miles, the equivalent of 15 times around the world. The carrier is currently subject to a campaign to preserve her for posterity—the only wartime-constructed British aircraft carrier to be under possible preservation. Photo and info from www.bharat-rakshak.com

The new Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning cruises while her crew spells out in the Chinese alphabet the words CHINESE DREAM. This carrier was originally laid down as the Admiral Kuznetsov-class multirole aircraft carrier Riga for the Soviet Navy, and was launched on 4 December 1988 and renamed Varyag in 1990. The stripped hulk was purchased in 1998 by the People’s Republic of China and towed to Dalian Shipyard in northeastern China. After being completely rebuilt and undergoing sea trials, the ship was commissioned into the People’s Liberation Army Nany (PLAN) as Liaoning on 25 September 2012. Photo: Chinese Navy — The new Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning cruises while her crew spells out in the Chinese alphabet the words CHINESE DREAM. This carrier was originally laid down as the Admiral Kuznetsov-class multirole aircraft carrier *Riga* for the Soviet Navy, and was launched on 4 December 1988 and renamed *Varyag* in 1990. The stripped hulk was purchased in 1998 by the People’s Republic of China and towed to Dalian Shipyard in northeastern China. After being completely rebuilt and undergoing sea trials, the ship was commissioned into the People’s Liberation Army Nany (PLAN) as *Liaoning* on 25 September 2012. Photo: Chinese Navy

In 2008, USS Kitty Hawk departed Japanese waters, where she had been based, and headed home to retirement. Kitty Hawk came into service in 1961 and supported US missions in Vietnam, Somalia, Afghanistan and the March 2003 invasion of Iraq to topple Saddam Hussein’s regime. The warship spent decades patrolling the Pacific and Indian oceans. The spell-out is Hajimemashite Nihon (Greetings Japan), probably from when the carrier first arrived on station in Japan. Photo: US Navy — In 2008, USS *Kitty Hawk* departed Japanese waters, where she had been based, and headed home to retirement. *Kitty Hawk* came into service in 1961 and supported US missions in Vietnam, Somalia, Afghanistan and the March 2003 invasion of Iraq to topple Saddam Hussein’s regime. The warship spent decades patrolling the Pacific and Indian oceans. The spell-out is Hajimemashite Nihon (Greetings Japan), probably from when the carrier first arrived on station in Japan. Photo: US Navy

Ain’t Too Proud to Brag or Commemorate an Anniversary

One of the only ways a crew member of a famous carrier can show proof of his part in an accomplishment such as a quarter million deck landings is by assembling with his mates on deck and spelling it out for the world to see and for a ship’s photographer to capture. Whether it’s an anniversary, a milestone, an award, a pile of awards or final ride into the sunset, the flight deck spell-out photo is the finest take-home a sailor can receive.

Throughout North America and Europe, there are hundreds of thousands of family albums with faded or discoloured photographs showing a deck full of sailors in some alphanumerical message, and beneath may be a handwritten note: “Dad is in the letter ‘X’ of BOXER.” For all those exceptional men and women on carriers who “Ain’t Too Proud to Brag,” here is a selection of some of the finest I found on the web.

On the 50th or golden anniversary of the Royal Canadian Navy, sailors of HMCS Bonaventure (CVL-22) spell out a tribute: 1910 RCN 1960. While Bonaventure never saw action during her career, having only peripheral, non-combat roles, she was involved in major NATO fleet-at-sea patrols during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Photo: Royal Canadian Navy courtesy Dan Linton and www.carrierbuilders.net — On the 50th or golden anniversary of the Royal Canadian Navy, sailors of HMCS *Bonaventure* (CVL-22) spell out a tribute: 1910 RCN 1960. While Bonaventure never saw action during her career, having only peripheral, non-combat roles, she was involved in major NATO fleet-at-sea patrols during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Photo: Royal Canadian Navy courtesy Dan Linton and www.carrierbuilders.net

USS John F. Kennedy pays tribute, 1949–NATO–1969, to 20 years of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 1969, just one year after she was commissioned. Photo: US Navy — **USS *John F. Kennedy* pays tribute, 1949–NATO–1969, to 20 years of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 1969, just one year after she was commissioned.** Photo: US Navy

On 6 August 1988, USS Forrestal (CV-59) made her way through a rather oil-seamed Suez Canal, while her crew at the catapults forms the number 108, signifying the number of consecutive days the ship has been at sea. Photo: US Navy — On 6 August 1988, USS Forrestal (CV-59) made her way through a rather oil-seamed Suez Canal, while her crew at the catapults forms the number 108, signifying the number of consecutive days the ship has been at sea. Photo: US Navy

One proud ship. A hovering close-up view of the flight deck of USS Constellation (CV-64) shows crew members forming the “Battle E” awards for Battle Effectiveness which their ship has received. The Yellow “E” is for “Commander, Naval Surface Forces (CNSF) Ship Safety Award” and is formed by the yellow shirts of Connie’s Flight Deck Officers and Plane Directors. The Red “E” is for her Engineering/Survivability Excellence Award and is formed by the red shirts of her aviation ordnance crews. Each hash mark beneath letters represents an additional “Battle E” award. The White “E” is an award for ships that win a Battle Effectiveness competition. The Green “E” is an award for Command & Control Excellence and is here formed by the green shirts of the Catapult and Arresting Gear crew. The “DC” letters are for two Excellence Awards for the best Damage Control crews and are formed by red-shirted ordnance crews. The Blue “M” is for Connie’s Excellence Award for the best Medical Department and is formed by the blue-shirted members of the Flight Deck crew. The crossed anchors at the start of the spell-out is for her Deck Seamanship Award. Finally, the black “W” is an Excellence Award for the best Weapons Departments on board the aircraft carriers. It looks to be formed by the purple-shirted members (called Grapes) of the aircraft fuelling teams. Despite her many awards, Constellation’s life would have to end. In 2003, after 41 years in service, she was decommissioned and today awaits her final fate, anchored at Brownsville, Texas. Photo: US Navy — One proud ship. A hovering close-up view of the flight deck of USS *Constellation* (CV-64) shows crew members forming the “Battle E” awards for Battle Effectiveness which their ship has received. The Yellow “E” is for “Commander, Naval Surface Forces (CNSF) Ship Safety Award” and is formed by the yellow shirts of *Connie*’s Flight Deck Officers and Plane Directors. The Red “E” is for her Engineering/Survivability Excellence Award and is formed by the red shirts of her aviation ordnance crews. Each hash mark beneath letters represents an additional “Battle E” award. The White “E” is an award for ships that win a Battle Effectiveness competition. The Green “E” is an award for Command & Control Excellence and is here formed by the green shirts of the Catapult and Arresting Gear crew. The “DC” letters are for two Excellence Awards for the best Damage Control crews and are formed by red-shirted ordnance crews. The Blue “M” is for *Connie*’s Excellence Award for the best Medical Department and is formed by the blue-shirted members of the Flight Deck crew. The crossed anchors at the start of the spell-out is for her Deck Seamanship Award. Finally, the black “W” is an Excellence Award for the best Weapons Departments on board the aircraft carriers. It looks to be formed by the purple-shirted members (called Grapes) of the aircraft fuelling teams. Despite her many awards, *Constellation*’s life would have to end. In 2003, after 41 years in service, she was decommissioned and today awaits her final fate, anchored at Brownsville, Texas. Photo: US Navy

Four for the “Gipper.” On 6 February 2009, sailors from Supply Department aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) stand in formation to spell an “E” for the Excellence Award the ship won on their behalf. The officers in the tan uniforms line up to show that the Ronald Reagan has won the award four times (one angled hash mark for each subsequent award). The Ronald Reagan’s nickname, like that of the President himself, is the Gipper. Photo: US Navy — Four for the “*Gipper*.” On 6 February 2009, sailors from Supply Department aboard the aircraft carrier USS *Ronald Reagan* (CVN 76) stand in formation to spell an “E” for the Excellence Award the ship won on their behalf. The officers in the tan uniforms line up to show that the *Ronald Reagan* has won the award four times (one angled hash mark for each subsequent award). The *Ronald Reagan*’s nickname, like that of the President himself, is the *Gipper*. Photo: US Navy

Aircraft carrier USS Antietam (CV-36) returns from her deployment to Korea in March 1952. The crew had raised US $15,000 for a fund for crippled children, and formed both the numbers “$15,000” on the bow, and the Shriners’ logo amidships. Photo: US Navy via Wikipedia

The crew of USS Boxer (CVA-21) celebrates 75,000 aircraft landings during the carrier’s deployment to the Western Pacific from 3 June 1955 to 3 February 1956 with Carrier Air Group 14 (CVG-14). The milestone landing was made on 19 November 1955 by Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Charles R. Smith and his crewman, Roland W. Parker, flying an AD-1 Skyraider of Composite Squadron 35. Photo: US Navy — The crew of USS *Boxer* (CVA-21) celebrates 75,000 aircraft landings during the carrier’s deployment to the Western Pacific from 3 June 1955 to 3 February 1956 with Carrier Air Group 14 (CVG-14). The milestone landing was made on 19 November 1955 by Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Charles R. Smith and his crewman, Roland W. Parker, flying an AD-1 Skyraider of Composite Squadron 35. Photo: US Navy

In 1951, USS Boxer conducted a ship-wide blood donation campaign to collect plasma and whole blood for the soldiers fighting in the Korean War. They collected an astonishing 2,377 pints of blood. Who wouldn’t want to brag about that? So, the very same donors formed a blood bag on the deck, feeding blood to the island superstructure with the number 2377 inside. Though a black and white photo, I suspect that the sailors wearing the dark jerseys in this shot are wearing red. The photo appeared in the US Navy’s All Hands Magazine in December of 1951. Photo: US Navy — In 1951, USS *Boxer* conducted a ship-wide blood donation campaign to collect plasma and whole blood for the soldiers fighting in the Korean War. They collected an astonishing 2,377 pints of blood. Who wouldn’t want to brag about that? So, the very same donors formed a blood bag on the deck, feeding blood to the island superstructure with the number 2377 inside. Though a black and white photo, I suspect that the sailors wearing the dark jerseys in this shot are wearing red. The photo appeared in the US Navy’s *All Hands* Magazine in December of 1951. Photo: US Navy

USS Independence (CVA-62), USS Saratoga (CVA-60), and USS Intrepid (CVA-11) join together to commemorate 50 years of navy aviation. Each carrier carries a component of the message for a very impressive three ship spell-out. The USS Intrepid still exists nearly 55 years since this shot—as a floating museum in New York City. Saratoga and Independence, both Forrestal-class carriers, still await final disposal as scrap or possibly as reefs for divers. Photo: US Navy — USS Independence (CVA-62), USS *Saratoga* (CVA-60), and USS *Intrepid* (CVA-11) join together to commemorate 50 years of navy aviation. Each carrier carries a component of the message for a very impressive three ship spell-out. The USS *Intrepid* still exists nearly 55 years since this shot—as a floating museum in New York City. *Saratoga* and *Independence*, both Forrestal-class carriers, still await final disposal as scrap or possibly as reefs for divers. Photo: US Navy

On 25 June 1968, the US Sixth Fleet celebrated its 20th anniversary with a close formation in the Mediterranean, an air power demonstration, a 20-gun salute and a pass-in-review. The crews of (top to bottom) USS Independence (CVA-62), supply ship USS Sylvania (AFS-2) and USS Shangri-La (CVA-38) spell out “POWER FOR PEACE,” Sixth Fleet’s motto. Photo: US Navy via navsource.org — On 25 June 1968, the US Sixth Fleet celebrated its 20th anniversary with a close formation in the Mediterranean, an air power demonstration, a 20-gun salute and a pass-in-review. The crews of (top to bottom) USS *Independence* (CVA-62), supply ship USS *Sylvania* (AFS-2) and USS *Shangri-La* (CVA-38) spell out “POWER FOR PEACE,” Sixth Fleet’s motto. Photo: US Navy via navsource.org

USS Ranger (CV-61) was the seventh ship in the US Navy to carry that name. The first American Ranger was an 18-gun Continental Navy sloop, launched on 10 May 1777. Here, her crew spells out an ironic POWER FOR PEACE message and forms up to make a dove of peace on her angled deck. The occasion was her arrival in San Francisco after her first WestPac Cruise, Monday, 27 July 1959. Photo: US Navy via navsource.org — USS *Ranger* (CV-61) was the seventh ship in the US Navy to carry that name. The first American *Ranger* was an 18-gun Continental Navy sloop, launched on 10 May 1777. Here, her crew spells out an ironic POWER FOR PEACE message and forms up to make a dove of peace on her angled deck. The occasion was her arrival in San Francisco after her first WestPac Cruise, Monday, 27 July 1959. Photo: US Navy via navsource.org

One might assume that this image of USS Ranger (CV-61) has something to do with the United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program (SFTI program), more popularly known as Top Gun. However, USS Ranger’s nickname is Top Gun, and here she celebrated a quarter century since her commissioning in 1957 by having her crew creatively stand and spell out TOP–GUN 25. The image comes from a Navy calendar of the following year. Photo via NavSource.org — One might assume that this image of USS *Ranger* (CV-61) has something to do with the United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program (SFTI program), more popularly known as Top Gun. However, USS *Ranger*’s nickname is *Top Gun*, and here she celebrated a quarter century since her commissioning in 1957 by having her crew creatively stand and spell out TOP–GUN 25. The image comes from a Navy calendar of the following year. Photo via NavSource.org

USS Ranger, along with USS Eisenhower, seemed to be the “spellingest” ship in the Navy with a half dozen spell-outs found on the internet. Here, during Operation Restore Hope off the coast of Somalia, she lets folks know why she is there. Photo: US Navy via navsource.org — USS *Ranger*, along with USS *Eisenhower*, seemed to be the “spellingest” ship in the Navy with a half dozen spell-outs found on the internet. Here, during Operation Restore Hope off the coast of Somalia, she lets folks know why she is there. Photo: US Navy via navsource.org

More than 1,000 crew members spell out “RANGER THANKS AMERICA” on the flight deck of USS Ranger (CV-61) in 1987–88. This was done to send a message of thanks to all the people who sent letters and cards to the ship. The fan mail was the result of a letter which appeared in the newspaper column “Dear Abby” in December of 1987. The letter asked for mailed support for troops stationed away from families and Abigail Van Buren, the writer, gave a list of units and addresses that letters and cards could be sent to—including USS Ranger. The letter is as follows:“Dear Abby: For most of us, the Christmas season is a joyous time, but for the thousands of American servicemen and women stationed abroad and at sea, it can be depressing and lonely.As the national chairman of the 1987 America Remembers Campaign, I want to encourage the folks at home to send Christmas and Hanukkah cards and letters to servicemen and women who are far from home. Last year, through Operation Dear Abby II, your readers flooded the mails with more than 2 million pieces of mail, which we distributed to our troops.Abby, I spent Christmas in Germany with American GIs who received mail from Operation Dear Abby II, and I wish you and your readers could have seen the smiles and tears as the mail was distributed on Christmas Eve! This year, we need your help more than ever. We want our servicemen and women to know that the folks back home remember and support them. Can the troops count on you and your readers for Operation Dear Abby III? Please say yes.”  Photo: US Navy via navsource.org — More than 1,000 crew members spell out “RANGER THANKS AMERICA” on the flight deck of USS *Ranger* (CV-61) in 1987–88. This was done to send a message of thanks to all the people who sent letters and cards to the ship. The fan mail was the result of a letter which appeared in the newspaper column “Dear Abby” in December of 1987. The letter asked for mailed support for troops stationed away from families and Abigail Van Buren, the writer, gave a list of units and addresses that letters and cards could be sent to—including USS *Ranger*. The letter is as follows:
*“Dear Abby: For most of us, the Christmas season is a joyous time, but for the thousands of American servicemen and women stationed abroad and at sea, it can be depressing and lonely.*
As the national chairman of the 1987 America Remembers Campaign, I want to encourage the folks at home to send Christmas and Hanukkah cards and letters to servicemen and women who are far from home. Last year, through Operation Dear Abby II, your readers flooded the mails with more than 2 million pieces of mail, which we distributed to our troops.
Abby, I spent Christmas in Germany with American GIs who received mail from Operation Dear Abby II, and I wish you and your readers could have seen the smiles and tears as the mail was distributed on Christmas Eve! This year, we need your help more than ever. We want our servicemen and women to know that the folks back home remember and support them. Can the troops count on you and your readers for Operation Dear Abby III? Please say yes.” *Photo: US Navy via navsource.org*

USS Ranger (CV-61), keeping company with guided missile cruiser USS Long Beach (CGN-9), bottom, and the guided missile frigate USS Lewis B. Puller (FFG-23), spells out the phrase “WE THE PEOPLE” on her flight deck in May 1987, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution of the United States. The Constitution was formally signed on 17 September 1787 and begins with the large handwritten words... “We the People.” Photo: US Navy via navsource.org — USS Ranger (CV-61), keeping company with guided missile cruiser USS *Long Beach* (CGN-9), bottom, and the guided missile frigate USS *Lewis B. Puller* (FFG-23), spells out the phrase “WE THE PEOPLE” on her flight deck in May 1987, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution of the United States. The Constitution was formally signed on 17 September 1787 and begins with the large handwritten words... “We the People.” Photo: US Navy via navsource.org

On 19 December 1992, on duty with Operation Restore Hope in Somalia, Ranger was relieved on station by Kitty Hawk and began her last journey homeward to San Diego. During that journey back home and to her eventual decommissioning in 1993, the Captain of Ranger had all her aircraft arranged up on deck and had the crew spell out one last and poignant message: “RANGER’S LAST RIDE.” As well, crew members hold open a large American flag. A fine and proud career comes to an end... with a spell-out. BRAVO ZULU Ranger. Photo: US Navy via navsource.org — On 19 December 1992, on duty with Operation Restore Hope in Somalia, *Ranger* was relieved on station by *Kitty Hawk* and began her last journey homeward to San Diego. During that journey back home and to her eventual decommissioning in 1993, the Captain of *Ranger* had all her aircraft arranged up on deck and had the crew spell out one last and poignant message: “RANGER’S LAST RIDE.” As well, crew members hold open a large American flag. A fine and proud career comes to an end... with a spell-out. BRAVO ZULU *Ranger.* Photo: US Navy via navsource.org

USS Intrepid, as said earlier in this article, has more aircraft carrier records than any Essex-class carrier. Here, she proudly lets the world know she has landed on 250,000 aircraft. The 250,000th arrested landing was made on the USS Lexington (AVT-16) on 17 June 1969, by CAPT Wayne E. Hammett and CDR Donald Jensen (CO of VT-4 training squadron) in a T-2B Buckeye. Photo and info: navsource.org/US Navy — USS *Intrepid,* as said earlier in this article, has more aircraft carrier records than any Essex-class carrier. Here, she proudly lets the world know she has landed on 250,000 aircraft. The 250,000th arrested landing was made on the USS *Lexington* (AVT-16) on 17 June 1969, by CAPT Wayne E. Hammett and CDR Donald Jensen (CO of VT-4 training squadron) in a T-2B *Buckeye*. Photo and info: navsource.org/US Navy

In 1972 and 50,000 landings later, USS Intrepid does a numerical spell-out on the deck—300,000 landings... on her way to 493,243 landings before she is decommissioned. Astounding! Photo: US Navy and navsource.org — **In 1972 and 50,000 landings later, USS *Intrepid* does a numerical spell-out on the deck—300,000 landings... on her way to 493,243 landings before she is decommissioned. Astounding!** Photo: US Navy and navsource.org

In 1986, the crew of USS America and members of Carrier Air Wing 1 (CVW-1) stood together for a spell-out commemorating 75 years of naval aviation with “75th FLY NAVY.” Four pairs of F-14 Tomcats create four diamond shapes surrounding the spell-out, reinforcing the fact that this was the Diamond Anniversary of aircraft serving in the Navy. Photo: US Navy — In 1986, the crew of USS *America* and members of Carrier Air Wing 1 (CVW-1) stood together for a spell-out commemorating 75 years of naval aviation with “75th FLY NAVY.” Four pairs of F-14 Tomcats create four diamond shapes surrounding the spell-out, reinforcing the fact that this was the Diamond Anniversary of aircraft serving in the Navy. Photo: US Navy

In the same year (1986), USS Carl Vinson (CV-70) also commemorated 75 years of naval flying with its crew and aviators forming up in the shape of a pair of US Navy “Wings of Gold.” They also used two groups of four Tomcats to create diamon… — In the same year (1986), USS *Carl Vinson* (CV-70) also commemorated 75 years of naval flying with its crew and aviators forming up in the shape of a pair of US Navy “Wings of Gold.” They also used two groups of four Tomcats to create diamonds commemorating the Diamond Anniversary. *Carl Vinson* was the third United States Navy Nimitz-class super-carrier and is named after Carl Vinson, a Congressman from Georgia, in recognition of his contributions to the US Navy. Alternately, she has been called, by her crews, for good or bad, *Cell Block 70*, *Starship Vinson*, *Chuckie V* and USS *Chuck Wagon.* Photo: US Navy

This is perhaps the most famous of all flight deck spell-outs of all time. At least, this is the first I remember seeing. The year is 1964 and USS Enterprise (CVN-65), in the company of USS Long Beach (centre) and USS Bainbridge, formed Task Force One (the first all-nuclear-powered surface ship group) and embarked on Operation Sea Orbit, the first un-refuelled circumnavigation of the globe—sailing 26,540 nmi (49,190 km) around the world in 65 days. Accomplished without a single refuelling or replenishment, “Operation Sea Orbit” demonstrated the capability of nuclear-powered surface ships. Here the Big E’s crew spell out Einstein’s famous E = mc2 formula which led scientists into the nuclear age. Photo: US Navy — This is perhaps the most famous of all flight deck spell-outs of all time. At least, this is the first I remember seeing. The year is 1964 and USS *Enterprise* (CVN-65), in the company of USS *Long Beach* (centre) and USS *Bainbridge*, formed Task Force One (the first all-nuclear-powered surface ship group) and embarked on Operation Sea Orbit, the first un-refuelled circumnavigation of the globe—sailing 26,540 nmi (49,190 km) around the world in 65 days. Accomplished without a single refuelling or replenishment, “Operation Sea Orbit” demonstrated the capability of nuclear-powered surface ships. Here the *Big E*’s crew spell out Einstein’s famous E = *mc2* formula which led scientists into the nuclear age. Photo: US Navy

In 2001, USS Enterprise, the “Big E”, celebrates 40 years of nuclear-power in the United States Navy as she and her crew return home from a deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The F-8 Crusaders, A-4 Skyhawks and A-4 Vigilantes in the previous photograph have now been replaced by new generation F-18 Hornets and F-14 Tomcats. Photo: US Navy — In 2001, USS *Enterprise*, the “*Big E*”, celebrates 40 years of nuclear-power in the United States Navy as she and her crew return home from a deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The F-8 Crusaders, A-4 Skyhawks and A-4 Vigilantes in the previous photograph have now been replaced by new generation F-18 Hornets and F-14 Tomcats. Photo: US Navy

Ten years after the previous photograph, on 17 February 2011, Enterprise steams with a spell-out message to the world on the 50th anniversary of nuclear power in surface ships of the United States Navy. Enterprise is the first and oldest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and celebrated its 50th birthday on 25 November 2011. Enterprise was inactivated on 1 December 2012 at Norfolk Naval Station, Virginia and will become the first nuclear-powered carrier to be decommissioned. Photo: US Navy — Ten years after the previous photograph, on 17 February 2011, *Enterprise* steams with a spell-out message to the world on the 50th anniversary of nuclear power in surface ships of the United States Navy. *Enterprise* is the first and oldest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and celebrated its 50th birthday on 25 November 2011. *Enterprise* was inactivated on 1 December 2012 at Norfolk Naval Station, Virginia and will become the first nuclear-powered carrier to be decommissioned. Photo: US Navy

USS Nassau’s sailors commemorate a quarter of a century since the ship’s commissioning. The date of the spell-out was 28 July 2004, the exact day of her commissioning in 1979. Nassau, a Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship, was decommissioned in Norfolk, Virginia on 31 March 2011. Today, she sits in reserve in Beaumont, Texas. Photo: US Navy — USS *Nassau*’s sailors commemorate a quarter of a century since the ship’s commissioning. The date of the spell-out was 28 July 2004, the exact day of her commissioning in 1979. *Nassau*, a Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship, was decommissioned in Norfolk, Virginia on 31 March 2011. Today, she sits in reserve in Beaumont, Texas. Photo: US Navy

On the 25th anniversary of her commissioning in 1943, the second carrier to be named Yorktown (CV-10), makes good fun with a spell-out to her longevity 25 AND STILL ALIVE 43–68, while Grumman Trackers and Sikorsky Sea Kings of her anti-submarine air group do a flyover. Photo: US Navy — On the 25th anniversary of her commissioning in 1943, the second carrier to be named *Yorktown* (CV-10), makes good fun with a spell-out to her longevity 25 AND STILL ALIVE 43–68, while Grumman Trackers and Sikorsky Sea Kings of her anti-submarine air group do a flyover. Photo: US Navy

How do You Spell Ship’s Pride?

The deck spell-out was made for sailors wanting to tell the world about their ship and its accomplishments, its comebacks, its patriotism and its nickname. When a deck spell-out uses the name of the ship these days, it is likely that the image will be shared with the entire crew so that they may send it to family members via e-mail. In days gone by, the spell-out photo would have been printed at cruise’s end and handed out or used for a ship’s postcard or even Christmas card.

Here, for your enjoyment, is a selection of carrier deck spell-outs over the decades, from nuclear-powered super-carrier to escort carrier. Some are perfectly formed, others... well, let’s just say penmanship is not everyone’s forte. One thing that is common to all, however, is the powerful sense of belonging.