The Mighty O - by Art Giberson

The aircraft carrier USS Oriskany, “The Mighty O,” commissioned in 1950, was the first of the “super” carriers. Oriskany saw combat action in two Wars.

Oriskany launched its first air strikes against a hostile foe during the Korean War and was credited with shooting down two North Korean MiG-15s. Although Oriskany combat action was limited during the Korean War it was still enough to establish Oriskany as one of the Navy’s most formidable combatants of the post-World War II era.

Within days of America forces landing at Da Nang, South Vietnam, in 1965Oriskany aircraft were flying combat missions against the Viet Cong. These early combat operations earned The Mighty O and embarked Carrier Air Wing-16, a Navy Unit Commendation for exceptionally meritorious service. Between May 10 and December 6, 1965, Oriskany aircraft flew more than 12,000 combat sorties and delivered nearly 10,000 tons of ordnance against enemy forces. By the time America’s involvement in Vietnam ended in 1973, The Mighty O had served the equivalent of more than two years in combat.

On May 17, 2006, the Mighty O became the first carrier ever sunk to serve as an artificial reef. The proud workhorse of naval aviation during the Vietnam War today lies in 212 feet of water, 22 miles off the coast of Pensacola, Florida.

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