The Grey Ghost of WW2 - USS Enterprise

Simple History
28 Jul 202311:07
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThe USS Enterprise, a legendary aircraft carrier from World War II, is celebrated for its pivotal role in the Pacific Theater. Known as 'The Big E,' it participated in more battles than any other ship during the conflict. Armed with a formidable array of guns and aircraft, the Enterprise was a key player in major engagements like the Battle of Midway, where it contributed to the sinking of two Japanese carriers. Despite suffering damage, it remained operational throughout the war, earning 20 Battle Stars and becoming the most decorated ship in U.S. history. The Enterprise's legacy continues with its namesake in the modern U.S. Navy and in popular culture, as the inspiration for the starship in the Star Trek series.

Takeaways
  • 🌊 The USS Enterprise (CV-6) was a central figure in the Pacific Theater of World War II, participating in more battles than any other U.S. ship.
  • ⚓️ Nicknamed 'The Big E', the Enterprise was a Yorktown-class aircraft carrier that was commissioned on May 12, 1938.
  • 🔱 At launch, the ship was equipped with a variety of armaments, including 8 five-inch guns, 4 quad 1.1-inch guns, and 24 .50 caliber machine guns.
  • 🛡️ The Enterprise had substantial armor plating and a displacement of 25,500 tons, with a top speed of 32.5 knots powered by four steam turbines.
  • ✈️ With a crew of around 2,200 men and capable of carrying up to 96 aircraft, the Enterprise was a formidable force in the Pacific.
  • 🎮 The game World of Warships offers a fully immersive naval experience with historical accuracy and high-octane combat, featuring hundreds of vessels from the world wars.
  • 🌟 The USS Enterprise earned a reputation for scoring the first American blood in the war by sinking the Japanese submarine I-70.
  • 🛤️ The ship played a critical role in several key battles, including the Battle of Midway, where its planes helped sink two Japanese carriers.
  • 🔥 Despite suffering damage in various engagements, the Enterprise remained operational and was the last carrier available for a time in the Pacific Fleet.
  • ⛵ The ship was involved in numerous operations, including the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the Battle of Leyte Gulf, and was the first aircraft carrier to earn the Presidential Unit Citation.
  • 🏆 By the end of her service, the Enterprise had become the most decorated ship in American history, earning 20 Battle Stars and sinking 71 enemy ships.
  • 🚜 After the war, the Enterprise was used to ferry servicemen home before being decommissioned and eventually scrapped in 1958, but her legacy lives on with subsequent ships bearing the same name.
Q & A

  • What was the USS Enterprise famously known as during World War II?

    -The USS Enterprise was famously known as 'The Big E' during World War II.

  • How many ships in the history of the U.S. Navy have had the name Enterprise?

    -Throughout the history of the U.S. Navy, eight ships have borne the name Enterprise.

  • What was the official commission date of the USS Enterprise?

    -The USS Enterprise was officially commissioned on May 12, 1938.

  • What was the top speed of the USS Enterprise?

    -The USS Enterprise could reach a top speed of 32 and a half knots.

  • What was the operational range of the USS Enterprise at a cruising speed of 15 knots?

    -The operational range of the USS Enterprise at a cruising speed of 15 knots was 10,400 nautical miles.

  • What significant event did the USS Enterprise participate in after the attack on Pearl Harbor?

    -After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the USS Enterprise scored first blood when its planes destroyed the Japanese submarine I-70.

  • Which battle was the USS Enterprise involved in that is considered one of the most decisive naval battles in history?

    -The USS Enterprise was involved in the Battle of Midway, which is considered one of the most decisive naval battles in history.

  • How many Battle Stars did the USS Enterprise earn over the course of its service?

    -The USS Enterprise earned 20 Battle Stars over the course of its service.

  • What was the fate of the USS Enterprise after the war?

    -After the war, the USS Enterprise was decommissioned in 1947 and later scrapped in 1958.

  • In what year was the next USS Enterprise, CVN 65, commissioned as the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier?

    -The next USS Enterprise, CVN 65, was commissioned as the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in 1961.

  • What is the connection between the USS Enterprise and the TV show Star Trek?

    -The name of the ship in the TV show Star Trek, the USS Enterprise, was inspired by the historical ship of the same name.

  • What was the USS Enterprise's role in the Battle of the Philippine Sea?

    -In the Battle of the Philippine Sea, pilots from the USS Enterprise shot down hundreds of Japanese planes, crippling Japan's Naval Aviation for the rest of the war.

Outlines
00:00
🏆 USS Enterprise: The Iconic Warship of World War II

The USS Enterprise, known as 'The Big E,' was a central figure in the Pacific Theater during World War II. It was part of the Yorktown class aircraft carriers and was commissioned on May 12, 1938. The ship's armament evolved over time, and at its peak, it carried a formidable array of weapons and had a crew of approximately 2200 men. The Enterprise was a key participant in numerous battles, including the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, where it narrowly avoided devastation. It achieved the notable feat of scoring 'First Blood' for the U.S. by sinking a Japanese submarine. The ship's impressive specifications, including its speed, range, and aircraft capacity, made it a formidable force in the war. The Enterprise was also a part of the historic Battle of Midway and continued to serve in various operations until it was damaged and eventually withdrawn from service. The paragraph concludes with an invitation to command this legendary vessel in the game 'World of Warships,' which promises an immersive naval experience with historical accuracy and high-octane combat.

05:02
🎖️ The Enterprise's War Campaigns and Legacy

The USS Enterprise under Admiral William F. Halsey played a crucial role in several significant operations, including the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo and the Battle of the Coral Sea. It was involved in the pivotal Battle of Midway, where its aircraft contributed to the sinking of two Japanese carriers. Despite damage in the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, the Enterprise remained operational, taking on planes from the sinking USS Hornet. It continued to participate in various battles, such as the Battle of Guadalcanal and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The ship was equipped with anti-torpedo blisters and trained for night operations, making it a versatile and valuable asset. The Enterprise supported the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa before being damaged by kamikaze attacks, which led to its withdrawal for repairs. After the war, it was used for ferrying servicemen home before being decommissioned and eventually scrapped in 1958. The Enterprise holds a place as the most decorated ship in American history, with 20 Battle Stars, and its legacy continues with subsequent ships bearing its name and influence.

10:02
🚀 The USS Enterprise: A Symbol of Naval Power and Pop Culture

The USS Enterprise's legacy extends beyond its military achievements, as it became a symbol of American naval power and was honored with the Presidential Unit Citation and the Naval Unit Commendation. The ship's air crews were credited with shooting down 911 enemy planes and sinking 71 ships. The Enterprise's name lives on with the commissioning of another carrier, CVN 65, the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, which served until 2017. Another carrier, CVN 80, is set to carry the name and is scheduled for launch in 2025. Additionally, the name 'Enterprise' was famously adopted by Gene Roddenberry for the starship in the television series 'Star Trek,' reflecting the cultural impact and enduring significance of the USS Enterprise.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡USS Enterprise
The USS Enterprise, known as 'The Big E,' was a prominent aircraft carrier in the Pacific Theater of World War II. It was renowned for its participation in numerous pivotal battles, such as the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and the Battle of Okinawa. The ship was officially commissioned on May 12, 1938, and was the most decorated ship in American history, earning 20 Battle Stars and the first aircraft carrier to receive the Presidential Unit Citation. It is also notable for its role in the Doolittle Raid and the Battle of Midway, where it played a significant part in turning the tide of the war.
💡World War II
World War II was a global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945, involving many of the world's major powers, organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis. The war is central to the video's narrative as it provides the historical backdrop for the USS Enterprise's service. The Pacific Theater, where the Enterprise operated, was a major setting for the conflict between the Allies, primarily the United States, and the Empire of Japan.
💡Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor is a U.S. naval base in Hawaii that was the site of a surprise military strike by the Japanese Navy Air Service on December 7, 1941. The attack led the United States to formally enter World War II as a combatant, marking a significant turning point in the conflict. In the video, the USS Enterprise is depicted as being spared the devastation of the attack because it was at sea, and its scout planes participated in the defense of Hawaii.
💡Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway was a critical naval battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II that took place between June 4 and 7, 1942. It is often regarded as a turning point in the war, as the United States and its allies, including the USS Enterprise, managed to inflict irreparable damage on the Japanese fleet, including the sinking of four Japanese aircraft carriers. The battle is highlighted in the video as a key moment where the Enterprise demonstrated its strategic importance.
💡Aircraft Carrier
An aircraft carrier is a large naval vessel designed to serve as a floating airbase, carrying aircraft and providing the means to launch and recover them. The USS Enterprise was an aircraft carrier of the Yorktown class and played a central role in the video's narrative. It was equipped with a variety of aircraft, including fighters, dive bombers, and torpedo planes, which were crucial for its operations in the war.
💡Naval Battle
A naval battle is a military engagement involving ships and generally taking place on the sea. The video recounts several naval battles in which the USS Enterprise participated, such as the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, the Battle of Santa Cruz, and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. These battles were essential to the broader conflict of World War II and demonstrated the strategic importance of naval power.
💡Kamikaze
Kamikaze refers to the Japanese suicide pilots who flew their aircraft into enemy ships during World War II in a deliberate act of self-destruction. The term 'kamikaze' translates to 'divine wind' and is a reference to the typhoons that saved Japan from Mongol invasions in the 13th century. In the video, the Enterprise is mentioned as being crippled by a pair of kamikaze attacks during the Okinawa campaign.
💡Doolittle Raid
The Doolittle Raid was a surprise air attack on the Japanese home islands conducted by the United States in April 1942, led by Lieutenant Colonel James "Jimmy" Doolittle. The raid was intended as retaliation for the attack on Pearl Harbor and to serve as a boost to American morale. The USS Enterprise played a crucial role in this operation by providing the combat air patrol that protected the task force carrying the B-25 bombers.
💡Gene Roddenberry
Gene Roddenberry was an American television screenwriter, producer, and creator of the original 'Star Trek' series. In the video, he is mentioned for naming the fictional starship USS Enterprise, drawing inspiration from the historical naval vessel. This connection illustrates the cultural impact and legacy of the USS Enterprise beyond its military service.
💡Naval Strategy
Naval strategy involves the planning and conduct of warfare at sea, taking into account the capabilities and vulnerabilities of naval forces. The video discusses various strategies employed by the USS Enterprise, such as providing escort for supply convoys, conducting raids against enemy installations, and engaging in decisive battles that shaped the outcome of World War II.
💡World of Warships
World of Warships is a naval warfare-themed massively multiplayer online game (MMO) developed by Wargaming. The game is mentioned in the video as a platform where players can command historical or never-realized naval vessels in combat. It serves as a modern context for engaging with the themes of naval warfare and strategy, and it is used as a narrative device to draw parallels with the historical actions of the USS Enterprise.
Highlights

The USS Enterprise was at the forefront of the American war effort in the Pacific during World War II, participating in more battles than any other ship.

Eight ships in the history of the U.S. Navy have borne the name Enterprise.

The Enterprise was officially commissioned on May 12, 1938.

At launch, the ship carried 85-inch guns, 4 quad 1.1-inch guns, and 24 .50 caliber machine guns.

The Enterprise had 5 inches of armor plating at the waterline, 1.5 inch armored flight deck, and 4 inches at fire control centers.

The ship displaced 25,500 tons, was 825 feet long, had a beam of 109.5 feet, and a 26 foot draft.

The crew complement was around 2,200 men, with 96 aircraft including fighters, dive bombers, and torpedo planes.

Powered by 4 steam turbines generating 120,000 horsepower, the Enterprise could reach a top speed of 32.5 knots.

With a fuel capacity of 1.5 million gallons, the ship had an operational range of 10,400 nautical miles at 15 knots.

In 1940, tensions with Japan were high and the Enterprise was transferred to Pearl Harbor as part of the military buildup in the Pacific.

The Enterprise scored the first American victory of the war when its planes destroyed the Japanese submarine I-70 in December 1941.

At the Battle of Midway in June 1942, planes from the Enterprise sank two Japanese carriers and helped sink a third.

The Enterprise was the last operational carrier in the Pacific Fleet after the Battle of Santa Cruz in October 1942.

In 1944, during the Battle of the Philippine Sea, pilots from the Enterprise shot down hundreds of Japanese planes, crippling Japan's naval aviation.

The Enterprise was the only ship capable of night operations after its air crews were trained for night ops in early 1945.

The ship participated in the largest naval battle in history, the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944.

The Enterprise was damaged and forced to return to port for repairs after being hit by kamikazes during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945.

The ship was decommissioned in 1947 and scrapped in 1958, despite efforts to save it as a museum.

The Enterprise became the most decorated ship in American history, earning 20 battle stars and shooting down 911 enemy planes.

The legacy of the Enterprise lives on with the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier CVN-65, commissioned in 1961, and the upcoming CVN-80.

The name Enterprise was also used for the starship in the TV series Star Trek, created by Gene Roddenberry in 1966.

Transcripts

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