The first official history of the legendary aircraft carrier that fought in World War II and Vietnam and continues to serve as a major air and space museum in New York City. Since her launching in 1943, the 27,000-ton, Essex-class carrier has sailed into harm's way around the globe. During World War II, she fought her way across the Pacific, surviving kamikaze and torpedo attacks and covering herself with glory. The famous ship endured to become a Cold War attack carrier, recovery ship for America's first astronauts, and a three-tour combatant in Vietnam. In a narrative based on archival research and interviews with surviving crewmen, authors Bill White and Robert Gandt take us on its many journeys.--From publisher description.