My Dad, Captain Jack S. Kenyon. was the skipper of the Mighty O on her Westpac cruise in 1969. He always said, that as a fighter pilot, that was the highlight of his Naval career (Although, when I listened to him talk late in his life, I think that yanking and banking as the skipper of a fighter squadron was always his first love.) .In any case, he cherished his time aboard Oriskany. Later on, he was there when she was reefed. He shed a tear, but saluted her as she slipped beneath the waves. Dad rests at Arlington now, and I miss him more than I can say. That's all I've got to share.

My grandfather was LCDR Tom W Poore. Flew VA-153 in the 60’s-70’s. Does anyone remember him by chance? Thank you all for your service! 🇺🇸

Tony P. Great lakes boot camp then on to the Oriskany. V4 div. 71-73. Brooklyn New York. Thanks for the video'

My best friend served on her in 67-68 he's gone now but still loved

I served aboard the USS Coral Sea CVA43 as a member of VA82 an A7 squadron in '69 and '70. This film evokes memories both good and bad.

I was on USS Franklin D Roosevelt 1976. Work AWP I was a E-3 Enjoy every Moment. Retire Navy Veteran. ⚓⚓⚓⚓🇺🇸🇺🇸

I was on the Oriskany 66 and 67 v-1 div, yellow shirt in fly 1, spotted port cat. John McCain was also on board towards the end of that tour.

I was on her in 1969. Steamed out of Alameda, CA.., at 0730hrs zulu. Air launch, recovery exercises. "Light winds and same seas" I love my CVN's....but CVA 34 was and always will be MY FLAG SHIP....My Oriskany task force was TOP.

Very good music selection. I was on one of the last cruises on the Oriskany, in an A-3 squadron VAQ-130 we were called zappers and fuel replenishment aircraft. A-3s were the largest jet aircraft on any aircraft carrier. Oriskany was a magnificent ship, and I had a great time while I was on her.

Thanks ! Dad flew off the Oriskany in the early 70's, he was a member of Blue Tail Fly squad- some of his squad members are featured in this video @7:30(the ones with the blue tails)

my dad was on this ship in the 70's he was a ordinance guy . he hung out with a group of guys that called themselves the cosmic brothers !

To Warbird Factory, Jerry Schulte deserves the credit for taking the film. Gene Lewis deserves ALL the credit for re mastering. I came up with the selection of songs, Jerry would be gratified to know that his movie, is able to spark interest from those who served on Oriskany at that time, as well as others who didn't. Gene sent me your site, and it is very interesting. I personally appreciate you posting this video.. Thanks again! Best Regards Ron Thomas Oriskany 69-72

was in VF ~ 191 from 71 to 75 aboard her. memories come back after watching this thank you for showing this. joined the last 2 months of the cruise

I love the way you show the sequence here: each aircraft lining up for launch--unfolding its wings, waiting behind the barrier, the barrier coming down after the previous launch and the next one moving into position. Wonderful to see that all played out in detail!

Served with VAH-4, A-3D Skywarriors, made 2 westpac deployments on her, 1962 and 1963, very well managed ship, very clean, great food, enjoyed my time on her, sad to see her sunk as a reef!

enjoyed, blast from the past saw myself in training at Deck Edge Operator and Van Zelm . 1970 to 73.

I met a vet today, he served on the Oriskany, I tip my hat to him, our vets...sailors, marines, air jocks, coast guard

Boy, does this bring back memories. I was aboard from '72-'75 in the OC division. As a radar controller worked mostly nights and IFE weather. Would almost always to up to Vultures Row to watch the 1st launch of the day.

I served aboard the USS ORISKANY April 1967 to December 1970. R. Stemm CPO ret.

I was on board the Mighty O Nov 68 to Apr72. Excellent video. I love watching Oriskany's aircraft of VF191,VF194, VA153, VA 155, VFP63) above the flight deck during off hours.

For quite some time I did not know who had made it. I only knew it was from a "Jerry Schulte" with no hits on Google. Now I am happy to know the makers. I give you guys all the deserved credits !!

Old little rust bucket would be the best descriptive nickname for the Oriskany. Went on for a quick visit while she was tied up next to my carrier. That was back in 1971-72 and she was one tired and old worn out ship back then.

I was an AO (Aviation Ordnanceman) in G Division in 1970-71, and operated the bomb elevator located below the starboard JBD (Jet blast deflector). I brought the bombs from the third deck assembly area up to the hanger deck sponson area known as the "Bomb Farm".

Congratulations friends militaries From here Brazil São Paulo ! The USA Great Nation !!!

I was on Oriskany for WestPac 1970. Aviation Ordnance. G Division. These shots were taken from the 07 level. I used to go up there for hours when off duty and watch the Air Ops.

Great footage. My hometown is near Pensacola and I used to see these pilots in training and sometimes sold or gave them watermelons from our farm in the country. It was common to have crashed trainers all around the area farms. By 1972 I was in those waters too - but in a tin can bombing the shore by gunfire. Big O is a legend with some sad history too.

I served on the BHR in 1970. Excellent footage, Great production. Thanks.

A7-Ds were the Air force version of the A7 Corsair. A7-As, Bs, Cs and Es were the Navy version. Served aboard the USS Oriskany with VA-155 Silver Foxes. Was a Plane Captain, Ordnance loader and finally a Jet mechanic from 1971-1974 during the Vietnam war. Can't believe 45 years have passed.

Great Stuff!! Brings back lots of the old memories (and some sad ones too). I also served in the OE Division. In 1969 the Oriskany had A-4s, and then in 1970 we switched to A-7s (and F-8s). It's great to see videos from those Navy days. ... Gerry '69-'73

I was in F-8 squadron VF 191~~home base NAS Miramar~~ made three WESPAC cruises aboard the Oriskany~~1971-1974

My one and only west pac cruise with VFP-63 ( RF-8G Crusader jets) we were out of Miramar............it was a great cruise, only lost 2 aircraft the entire cruise...........made stops in the Philippines/Hong Kong/Japan/Indonesia (UK air base there)..................June til December 1971

I remember these songs l was 13 in 70. Im almost 66 now. Navy 78-98

You made it old man's heart while again I'm a Navy vet but I never flew but my father did he flew out of Miramar he was also in one of the last squadrons a hat at Bates in Texas there's a Navy Reserve Squadron watching those old birds fly really made me revisit my childhood thank you very much outstanding job sir

Excellent video. HC-1 Det 1, 73-74 WESTPAC.

Awesome, I wasn't Navy, I was in the USAF in the 80's, so, I don't know too much about the Navy, but, I could watch this all day, great song picks!!!

In our last cruise in 1970, the captain came over the 1MC to say that up until that time we had steamed more miles, flew more sorties and dropped more bombs than any other carrier during Vietnam. CVA-31 USS Bon Homme Richard.

AQB2 attached to VAH-2 (Heavy 2) aboard the USS Coral Sea, 1960-1963. This video brings back a lot of memories.

nicely done. good color for the day. the period music playing was a good touch. also the outside sound of the music like what you would hear over the radio quality. good work

Lots of memories of air ops. F-8 Crusaders and A7 Corsairs were the Air Wing 19 combat aircraft. The flight deck is 2-1/2 acres of pure hell. Smells of sweat mixed with aircraft exhaust and JP-5 remain linger on today. Dodging rolling aircraft, keeping out of exhaust that will sweep you off your feet, huffers running about to start aircraft, bomb skids loaded with 500 and 1000 pounders keeps you on your toes. Yes,.....the videos give you a idea of what the air war onboard an aircraft carrier is like but to really know , you have to experience it. Thanks for this video.

I was on this 1970 WESTPAC cruise with HC-1 as an ADJ2. They had to fly me back after six months for my discharge! Did a 1968-69 WESTPAC with HC-1 on the USS Kittyhawk.

nice - and good choices on the soundtrack I was on one of the escort destroyers for that cruise - USS Southerland, DD-743

A7-B's VA-215 1974-1977, on the Oriskany's last cruise 75-76.

My children's father was aboard this ship in 1970, out of LNAS, during Vietnam. His Squad was ATKRON 153. He was a metal smith. It's so sad to see it's been sunk. :'(

My grandpa was on that ship in his time in the navy, cool

Nice video of the “Mighty O”!

I was there. I left RVN in May, went to AO-A school then joined VA-155. They stuck me on Cag Arm/De-arm crew. I was off during the recovery when John Glenn's F-8P hit the round down and splashed into the gulf. I was in the hanger bay, coming back from chow, when I heard the strike, the grinding, the ejection, then watched as the plane exited the flight deck and hit the water right in front of me. Then there was the pilot, one swing and he hit the water, I ran for the flight deck and got to help in the FOD walk down... Hell of a vacation after a year in RVN.

That's great Ron. Thank you very much. Cheers - BoB

This is amazing footage!!! I personally liked the footage of the Crusaders taking off. One thing that did strike me was that there were A-7s on the modernized Essex carriers. It was always my assumption that they were too heavy. Well, so much for trusting the books! Truly great and if you have more I hope you put them all up! OH, and BADASS MUSIC!

VA163 "Saint" AE on the "O-Boat" 1966 (cut short by the fire 26 Oct. 66) then WestPac 1967-68. Played Rock and Roll on KRIS. Olongapo, Hong Kong, worst of times, best of times. Half a century later and I still wouldn't trade the experience for a pot of gold!

That is the mighty E1-B Tracer, not an ED-2. We had raw radar and a grease pencil but we were among the few that could tell the great F8 drivers like "Moon" Vance and "Bug" Roach where to go....

Also served aboard the USS Oriskany 71 to 74 with VA 155 as a Ordnance loader and plane captain

I was on the Oriskany at this time with the airwing. Worked the flight deck with VA155. Our sister squadron was VA 153

I sent the original vdeo of this to Gene Lewis, who re-mastered it. I also helped him with the selection of songs except for part three which has been changed.. Not sure who did that. I along with Jerry Schulte, who took this footage served in the same shop in X-division during the 1970 cruise on Oriskany, and now live in the same city. Interesting how things get on You Tube without the original person knowing it. It is great footage. Ron Thomas Omaha Ne. Oriskany 69-72

I was there From72 to 75. Worked on the port cat jbd operator.

USS Oriskany, VA 153 Blue Ass Nats. Fond memories 1971- 72. Hydraulics, Jet, Elect Shop. Thanks for the memories. MIke (Mick) Galbraith

We'd hang on to the struts of our aircraft when an f8 turned on us. VAQ-130 cat troubleshooter. Gulf of tonkin 1970.

A great ship with a GREAT crew(s). I'd urge anyone interested in the O boat's Vietnam history to read Zalin Grant's Over the Beach. I still have an autographed picture by Dick Bellinger from just after his Mig kill. FYI Pieces and parts of the Oriskany still live on aboard the USS Hornet in Alameda. Before she was towed to the Gulf of Mexico (and sunk) she was in Hunter's Point being stripped. Some of that gear was used in the restoration of the Hornet, another Essex class ship.

Cool video of my old boat; served aboard her 67-71, OI Div Radarman 3rd Class, stood topside lookouts, saw a million launch/recover flight ops, ate lotsa chow,WO Bonoso was my nemesis cuz I had Janis Joplin poster pasted on rack above mine, called her a "Hog".Olongapo City PI "Disneyland for Grownups". Connie Mack Knoske, Animal Bob Meyer, Fruity Frank, Jolly Round Anderson, Skodie Skaggs,CPO Prine, Les Smiley,Bill Weigler,RailRoad Smith,Shorty "Bumfuck"Anderson,Brent Eberline...good times

I saw the "Big O " while In VA-164 Ghostriders squadron on the USS Hancock on Yankee Station 70' _71'

nice to see her floating like i remember her 74-76

I was a CT on her in '70. What we did was classified but had to do with communications between 7th Fleet Flag, the States, and joint Operations. If you saw me walking quick on the Hanger deck with a Brief case hand cuffed to my wrist and armed with a 45, I was headed from our Communications Station (Supplemental Radar) in the bow, to the CIC up in the Island Tower to deliver orders, reports and Intel. We were called Spooks or Grim Reapers.

Does anyone remember working on the Oriskany with a Frank Holthouse? He is my dad- and he passed away when I was 13. I'd love to learn more about all the "stuff" that may have been eidited out of his stories- or just to know what he was like when he was younger.

I was on the BHR on the same cruise. I was a photographer's mate.

We used to operate Seasprite helicopter's not so long ago with our RNZN 🇳🇿!👍✈️

@AirCarrier Glad to see the "O"boat again. Served in G-div 70 to 73. Brings back lots of memories. Fred Hoggatt ao2 g-div bomb crew.

Rip uss oriskany

I also was aboard the big O on this cruise, my first actually. I was in VFP-63.

Great video...music awesome!

What is surprising to me is that there have been no comments regarding the sounds. I not only added the music to the video but also the background noises...helos, jets, take offs and landings, etc. Hopefully this means the sounds were so natural they didn't seem phony. Gene Lewis DT3 - USN USS Oriskany 1966 -'67

MY BROTHER JOHN STANTON WAS STATIONED ON THIS SHIP ALSO DURING THIS TIME. HE WAS A HOSPITALMAN

Great footage. However cut short as the ABE trying to get the Harness situated with the last launch seen....pt 3?

Crusader and it's chunky little brother the Corsair.

great soundtrack

I was in F8 squadron VF-191 the planes with the red diamond on the rudder is VF-191

Remember the Zippo well. I was stuck in EKA -3 s on the Coral Sea.

I was in daycare while this was going on the Oriskany.

I am thinking of attending the reunion in Baton Rouge this year and taking my camera. I surely hope that it is well attended especially with shipmates from my cruise. If I get enough stories, I will post them on youtube.

평화 평화 고향에 돌아가고픈 평화를 바라는 마음은 다 같은 한마음...!!

@finishstrongdoc MY BROTHER JOHN STANTON WAS STATIONED ON THIS SHIP ALSO DURING THIS TIME. HE WAS A HOSPITALMAN

VA-155 Siver Foxes, WestPac '75

I served with Scott 1973 until he got out. Many fun times.

Great! Well done!

@xTomcatsForeverVF84x That's an E-1 Tracer, the predecessor to the E-2 Hawkeye. Many of the old 27-C carriers of the Vietnam era used the older aircraft types, as they were better suited for operations on these smaller carriers.

The Blues Image - Ride Captain Ride (1970 Hit)

I made three Westpacs 1971-1974

Oh yes! They used to fly over the turning point at CHUMUCKLA cotton gin and our nearby farm. PLUS .. dad used to be a 1clpo working on the T28's there before he got his ADJ chief rating and went to Pcola. Since our family is local "pioneers" he was raised there on a farm and in 1938 helped with the surveys to lay out Whiting. Go navy.

Naval Aviation, second to none

Home sweet Home

@sutonchef There was a Capt. Stanton. I had 28 thousand crew in this task force, small office and nice private deck, port side amid ship with blue paint and stars on the floor. Was that your brother. Fair winds and same seas. And God Bless your Brother.

@swbrand MY BROTHER JOHN STANTON WAS STATIONED ON THIS SHIP ALSO DURING THIS TIME.

i love a-7

What, no Vigies, no Phantoms? Oriskany deck too small?

Yeah by early 70s almost all A-4s had been pulled of carriers, I am not even sure if Marine A-4s went back aboard ships after Vietnam even though they were retired in the 1990s. I could be wrong... Then again, A-3s and S-2s routinely launched off the small Essex ships. But I do not think they were ever fully loaded.

@swbrand SORRY BUT NO MY BROTHER WAS A SEAMAN SECOND CLASS AT THE TIME AND WAS NEVER AN OFFICER. THANKS AND GOD BLESS YOU ALSO.

Don't you just love Naval Aviation.

Wow

My barber was on that ship

Served aboard her ‘63-‘65.

wow. great vid, with good soundtrack! sanfrancisco bay!!! :) check out my helo flight on and off a ship. they still do it the same way 40 years later.

the ranger was the first to have a-7's sqd on board impressive to see A-7''s on the Oriskany was that the barn owls sqd???