f all the names of American warships, one has truly become a legend. USS . Two of the nine ships named have been – CVN-65 – became the world’s first nuclear powered aircraft carrier and, for a time, was the world’s largest and most powerful warship. The carrier served during the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War throughout its 50 plus year career. Then, on 24 August 2017, Olympic Gold medallists Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky signed their names, not in some avid sport collectors signature book, they were signing the first steel components in a new warship for the United States Navy. Together with Jennifer Boykin, President of Newport News Shipbuilding, the three ladies became the ship’s sponsors by signing a 25-ton piece of steel plate that launched the construction phase for the next USS and the ninth ship to bear the name in the history of the US Fleet. USS – CVN-80 – is expected to be in service with the US Navy by 2028.
