4.
Mar. 31, 2013

I was on the Connie from January 1972 until January 74.  Did two Westpacs on her. I was an E-5 electrician, and worked in catapults and elevators, MM spaces, and had flight deck lighting for a short period. I was assigned to the ship's Master at Arms during the Navy Race Riots in 73.  I was on the Connie when Cunningham and Driscoll became the first US Aces of the Viet Nam war.  I have a photo of their Phantom before it was shot down into the gulf on that last air mission when they shot down 3 mig's within a few minutes.  Too bad about Cunningham.  I have a lot of photos. Thanks for posting all the Connie photos.  She was a good ship, and she had a great crew, including the officers.

Monty King

3.
Dec. 1, 2011

My brother, Joe L. Duke, Jr. was on the original crew of the Constellation CVA-64 and he was a musician and singer. He organized a band on board the Connie. Until we moved, I had an article with photo from the DeKalb New Era (I think) of him playing music on the ship. The newspaper has since “gone under” and I have been unable to replace this precious piece of our family history. Would you have any suggestions as to where I might find a replacement of the photo. I'm sure the Navy sent it but that's my best guess. It would have been between her commissioning in October 1960 and his discharge on their return to San Diego in February 1964.

I also remember us sitting up and listening to the news all night during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Connie was named as being one of the ships blocking the Russian ship from reaching Cuba. However, I cannot find a list of those ships anywhere. My dad had a world map on the wall of our living room and every time the Connie moved, he dated her position and connected the lines. By the time Joe was discharged we had a complete record of his travels. Unfortunately, it was ruined in the Georgia flood of 1994 and I am trying to recreate it. Can you point me in a direction for getting this info? Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely, Becki (Duke) Jones

2.
Mar. 4, 2010

What a cool site, you seem to have done all the right stuff with this site. The photos and especially site navagation is easy. I was with the Blue Diamonds VA-146 at NAS Lemoore, Ca. We flew A-7 Corsair II. I also did a Wespac cruise aboard the USS Constallation CV-64. Seeing your photos sure brought back a lot of memories. She was a Proud Ship! I enjoyed your site.

Thank You,
John Senko
June 1975 - Aug 1980

1.
July 2, 2009

Wow! I can't believe this ship was decommissioned, She is looking a little rough though, I served on the U.S.S. Constellation from 1990 to 1993 as an Internal communications electrician, I helped recondition this ship when it was dry docked in Philadelphia. Kind of sad to see her career has ended. Wish I would have known in 2003, I would have made a trip to see that ceremony. Thanks for posting all these pictures and information on here, It brought back a lot of memories!!

Chris Damstrom