USS Coral Sea (CV/CVB/CVA-43), a Midway-class aircraft carrier, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named for the Battle of the Coral Sea. She earned the affectionate nickname "Ageless Warrior" through her long career. Initially classified as an aircraft carrier with hull classification symbol CV-43, the contract to build the ship was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding of Newport News, Virginia, on 14 June 1943. She was reclassified as a "Large Aircraft Carrier" with hull classification symbol CVB-43 on 15 July 1943. Her keel was laid down on 10 July 1944 in Shipway 10. She was launched on 2 April 1946 sponsored by Mrs. Thomas C. Kinkaid and commissioned on 1 October 1947 with Captain A.P. Storrs III in command.
USS Coral Sea underway on 1 March 1989
Coral Sea during her 1955 Mediterranean cruise
An F7U-3 Cutlass was launched from Coral Sea in 1952
Coral Sea in 1960 following her major reconstruction
Midway-class aircraft carrier
The Midway-class was a class of three United States Navy aircraft carriers. The lead ship, USS Midway, was commissioned in September 1945 and decommissioned in 1992. USS Franklin D. Roosevelt was commissioned in October 1945, and taken out of service in 1977. USS Coral Sea was commissioned in April 1947, and decommissioned in 1990.
USS Midway before SCB-110 upgrade
Franklin D. Roosevelt under way in 1969
Image: USS Midway (CV 41) leaving Yokosuka, Crew spelling Sayonara
Image: USS Coral Sea (CV 43) aerial photo in 1986