“Big E”, USS Enterprise was the second in the Yorktown Class Aircraft Carrier. Construction commenced in 1934 and officially launched in 1936. She entered service in 1938.
USS Enterprise narrowly escaped the December 7, 1941 Japanese unannounced attack of Pearl Harbor due to stormy weather. Without any further delay, USS Enterprise was immediately tasked with combat duty against the Japanese. The “Big E” provided cover for the Doolittle Raid on main land Japan and took part in the Battle of Midway, Battle of Philippines, Leyte Gulf and provided air support during Guadalcanal campaign, Gilbert Islands, Marshall Islands, Palau, Iwo Jima and Ryukyu. For a long period of time, the “Big E” took on Japan until more aircraft carriers entered service.
After WWII, the “Big E” took part in “Operation Magic Carpet” and brought back U.S. troops back to USA and was decommissioned in 1947. Sadly, USS Enterprise was dismantled in 1958 yet the legend of “Enterprise verses. Japan” lives on.
