USS Bon Homme Richard CV-31 and CVW-21 Vietnam Combat Flight Deck Operations 1967 - Aircraft Carrier

[@johnkuechle9563]

This is a great video showing flight deck operations on a small-deck Essex-class 27C aircraft carrier during Operation Rolling Thunder. Five of these carriers - USS HANCOCK, ORISKANY, BON HOMME RICHARD, TICONDEROGA, and INTREPID - made a total of fourteen deployments to the Gulf of Tonkin during this Vietnam War US bombardment campaign conducted between March 1965 and March 1968. This was the most intense carrier action of the the entire war! Thanks for up-loading this, and adding a great musical background to enhance the viewing.

[@charliedontsurf85]

My Great Grandfather served on the USS Bon Homme Richard in the pacific during late 45' and early 46', I've always been interested in the ship and its unique story within the US Navy. I am honored to have the ship still being honored by those who remember, and those who take interest in these vessels, My great grandfather served a Coxswain on many different vessels that sailed the seven seas during late World War Two.

[@jimbarton3279]

Two WW2 crew members still come to the annual reunion

[@philiphymel19]

It's good to see a movie record of this cruise. I was a VA-215 Barnowl pilot on the first part of this cruise until April. 1967 flying the Skyraider (A1H/J).

[@StratoArt]

Thank you for this! I'm actually in research for a painting of the tri-level refueling event between a USAF KC-135A, an A-3 Skywarrior tanker (KA-3, I believe) and an F-8 Crusader. The event took place in May 1967. I was told that the Navy aircraft were from the USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31). The F-8 Crusaders were from VF-24 and VF-211, and three A-3 refueling tankers from Detachment L of VAH-4 - launched from CV-31. So this footage really helps me in seeing the markings as they were in 1967. Thank you!

[@larrywiggin3489]

Served with VAH-4 1961 to late 1964, 2 deployments on the Oriskany, no sooner got back to NAS Whidbey then the squadron sent me back out to serve on the Bonnie Dick to replace another lead AO who was over enlistment, guess what I ended up in the situation was a month over enlistment they flew me back to the states in an A-3 that was damaged on a prior cruise, had enough was discharged a week later!

[@jkaposi]

Fantastic movie.

[@williamday1090]

I made the last cruise on the Bonnie Dick in 1970 with VF-53.

[@mikeframe5450]

Beginning at 33:20...Nice shot of the hook runner in action.

[@MKCMLT]

That is some great footage of them launching & recovering. I have another older one of Forrestal here on my channel that's also pretty good. There is a long & short version.

[@terrinewman7390]

I was on that ship in 1967! same year of the forrestal fire and I was part of the helo crew!

[@MKCMLT]

I have a few more of USS Bon Homme Richard in 1967 coming out here shortly. I came across a 7" reel of 8mm film of her on this deployment but needed to break it up into smaller videos...Also, check out the ones I already have here on my channel. There are a few.

[@jimbarton3279]

Do you remember John lmler from Pa

[@kennethkurz6141]

Stand By to receive the Bon Homme Richard on the Port side

[@escapefelicity2913]

I'm glad somebody digitally fixed this. Some of the FILMS from that era are so bad you can hardly tell what's going on. Anybody know how the ship got it's name?

[@ThisDudeSomewhere]

It's French for Good Man Richard, a reference to Benjamin Franklin who published his famous farmers almanac in French under the name Les Maximes du Bonhomme Richard.

[@kennethkurz6141]

UNREPED the Bon Homme Richard many times on Yankee Station USS MISPILLION AO 105 1966-1968

[@escapefelicity2913]

They still had an AN/SPS-30 Better them than me

[@allgood6760]

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