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| USN Midway-class aircraft carrier 45,000 Tons 968' x 113' x 35' Armament (as built) 18 x 5"/54 caliber guns 21x4 40mm AA guns  USN October 27, 1945 |
Ship History Built by New York Naval Shipyard in Brooklyn, New York. Laid down December 1, 1943 as a Midway-class aircraft carrier. Launched April 29, 1945 sponsored by Mrs. John H. Towers, wife of the Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet as USS Coral Sea. On May 8, 1945 the Secretary of the Navy's recommendation to renamed USS Franklin D. Roosevelt in honor of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt who died in office four weeks earlier was approved by U.S. President Harry S. Truman. Commissioned October 27, 1945 on Navy Day with Capt. Apollo Soucek in command. Afterwards, departed on a shakedown cruise to Brazil. On February 1, 1946 arrived at Rio de Janeiro and represented the United States for the inauguration of Brazilian President Eurico Gaspar Dutra, who came aboard for a short cruise and afterwards returned to the east coast. During April 1946 until May 1946, Roosevelt participated in the 8th Fleet maneuvers off the East Coast which was the Navy's first major training exercise after World War II. On July 21, 1946 Roosevelt became the first U.S. Navy aircraft carrier to operate jet aircraft with XFD-1 Phantom piloted by Lt. Commander James Davidson made a series of take offs and landings off off Cape Henry, Virginia. During November 1946, a P-80A Shootingstar piloted by Lt. Col Lt. Col. Marion E. Carl made two catapult launches, four unassisted take offs and five arrested landings. PARTIAL HISTORY During her three decades of service, the aircraft carrier was affectionately nicknamed "Swanky Franky", "Foo-De-Roo", "Rosie" and finally "Rusty Rosie". Fate On April 1, 1978 sold by Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service to River Terminal Development Company for $2.1 million dollars. Usable equipment was removed at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard's Inactive Ships Facility then the carrier was towed to Kearny, New Jersey arriving May 3, 1978. Afterwards, scrapped for the remainder of the year. Display One of the 5"/54 caliber Mark 16 gun from the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt is on display at White Sands Missile Range Missile Park in New Mexico. Contribute
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