French Toast, Flattops, and Frustration

On 16 July 1934, workers at Newport News Shipyard in Virginia began work on the second ship in a brand new class of warship for the United States Navy.  As will most ships, this first piece was the keel; the literal foundation of the vessel. If only they had know that they were laying the foundations of the most famous warship in US history.

Fast forward to 29 February, 2008.  The History Channel premiers a special 10 part series unlike any other.  Not only is it actually focussing on history (which is very unlike the History Channel as of late) but it mixes CGI, interviews, live footage, and expert opinions to paint a portrait of the life and service of one intrepid ship and her crew.  The show's title: Battle 360º.   The subject: USS ENTERPRISE (CV-6), aka: the "Big E," the most decorated ship in the US Navy.

What does this have to do with "french toast?"  And why am I posting about a show that you can watch on You Tube?  (Which you can watch here: Battle 360º E1 "Call to Duty")

Its pretty simple.  On the weekends over the last couple years, Meg has been working 8 hour shifts.  So Nate and I have had free-reign of the house.  By sheer luck or divine providence we kept from burning the place down.  And we bonded over breakfast.  Its amazing what one egg, a little milk and cinnamon, and 4-6 slices of bread can do.  Nate and I would sit at the table and eat our french toast as in the background I had episodes of Battle 360º playing on the laptop.

I had known that ENTERPRISE was one of the most famous and important ships of the Pacific War.  But I had not known how awesome her service record was.  During 4 years of constant combat, she earned 1 campaign star, 20 battle stars (the most of any USN ship, EVER), the Presidential Unit Citation (first carrier to receive this), numerous campaign and service medals, and the Royal Navy Admiralty Pendant.  Read that last one again.  The ENTERPRISE is the only foreign vessel to have received the 400 year award.  Impressed yet?  Because I was.  Then I started paying attention to the episodes.

The ENTERPRISE is the highest decorated ship of the US Navy for a reason.  She and her crew earned each and every award and accolade.  Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal even said that the "Big E" is the "one vessel that most nearly symbolizes the history of the Navy in this war."  The story of Bruno Gaido hit that home for me.  This mechanic manned the twin guns in the tail of a dive bomber  (which he was not trained to do) while the ship was under attack.  One of the attacking bombers was hit, and intent on crashing into the ship.  Despite the enemy plane slicing the tail off his plane, Gaido continued to shoot at it until it crashed into the sea.  For that he was granted a double promotion on the spot by Admiral "Bull" Halsey.  And that was on a quiet day.

The record of the "Big E" takes one from Pearl Harbor to the end of the war.  If there was a battle involving the US Navy in the Pacific, ENTERPRISE was probably there.

But, I my opinion, there's a problem.  This illustrious vessel has not been honored properly.  Don't think for a second that I am belittling the service of CVN-65, the current USS ENTERPRISE.  That amazing vessel has served longer than any other, a phenomenal 51 years.  Her deactivation in December of this year will be emotional for many in the service, I bet.

No, the problem I have originates 8 September 1966.  On that day a sci-fi television program first aired, staring an exploration vessel tasked to "boldly go where no man has gone before."  Perhaps if Gene Roddenberry (who, ironically served in the USAAF, therefore probably not very supportive of the Navy) had made his "Enterprise" a full combat vessel carrying at least two squadrons of fighters into battle, I wouldn't be as frustrated.

I also wouldn't be as "perturbed" if the Department of Defense would just do the right thing and stop naming carriers after people.  This came out a couple days ago while watching my family's favorite show: NCIS.  Every so often, Meg and I get on an “NCIS kick.”  This means having running marathon of all the episodes we own, though the episodes play as “background” as much as they are actually watched.

Anyway, enough tangent.*  One episode after the team is split up features Tony on the “USS Seahawk” with a case that requires the aid of everyone.  Careful attention to the photos reveal that “Seahawk” is CVN-74: the “John C. Stennis.”

Now, I love history, especially military history.  And aircraft carriers are a favorite of mine.  I pride myself with being pretty familiar with them, but the name “Stennis” drew a bit of a blank.  Who is he?
Well, apparently he was a Democrat from Mississippi, who had never served in the Navy.  Actually, he never served a day in uniform.  And we named a carrier after him for what reason?

This keeps happening, the naming of carriers after politicians.  I'm fed up with it.  The Nimitz class is mostly named for presidents or politicians supportive of the Navy.  Well, except for Stennis.  I'm still trying to find a connection between him and the Navy.

But, Nimitz class are old, and being replaced by a new class: Gerald R. Ford.  So far there are three on schedule for service by 2025.  Two are named for presidents who served in the US Navy: Gerald R. Ford and John F. Kennedy.  I can accept these names.

But CVN-80 is causing issue for me.  There's a petition out to name it after the "Big E," but a senator from Arizona has suggested the names "Arizona" or "Barry Goldwater."  While I like the suggestion that Arizona be honored like this, I think that having the name remain resting on the floor of Pearl Harbor is a greater honor.  As for Goldwater, he's half of the "Goldwater-Nichols Act," which re-structured America's military and attempted to eliminate the rivalries between the services.  And while that's great and all, remember that Goldwater served in the US Army Air Force, not the Navy.  Naming a carrier after him would be like naming a football stadium after a famous baseball pitcher.  Sure he's well respected, but the connection isn't there.

So, where am I going with this?  Simple: I can't eat french toast without thinking about the "Big E."  And I can't think about the "Big E" without hoping that the DOD takes the online petitions and proud history of the Navy seriously when it comes time to announce CVN-80's name.

And now I've got a craving for some french toast with melted butter, warm syrup, and powdered sugar.  I'm going to stop now before anyone shorts out their computer due to drool.

P.S. - Let me know what you think.  There's supposed to be a button labeled "comment."  Click it and give me feedback.  It could be about what I've written, about this endeavor, or about whether french toast or waffles are better for breakfast.  I want to hear from you.  Thanks.

*( Yeah, right.  This whole blog is nothing but one big electronic tangent.)