USS SARATOGA CV-3 RETURNS TO SAN FRANCISCO

This fascinating footage from the US National Archives shows the USS Saratoga bringing the first large group of US servicemen back home to the US following the surrender of Japan. This was the start of Operation: Magic Carpet.
US National Archives Catalogue:
428-npc-15448
428-npc-15463
Music by the US Navy Band:
Auld Lang Syne
Under the Double Eagle
The New Colonial March
Additional photos thanks to Navsource.org

[@avalleygirl]

My Dad served on the CV3 USS Saratoga from 1928 or 29 for 3 years. I have his leather log book filled with photos and diary. My treasure.

[@dragonmeddler2152]

Nothing compares to watching the California coastline begin to be visible at dawn as your ship slowly approaches the Golden Gate after an 8-month deployment. The famous bridge comes into view and as you glide beneath its deck you realize you made it! You are home at last. Your wife, kids, all that's important to you is waiting on the pier at Alameda. My last day in the Navy. USS Oriskany, December 12, 1969.

[@padurarulcriticsicinic4846]

Torpedoed twice, then kamikazed and bombed, finally went under after being nuked twice. One tough ship, with a badass crew.

[@jenniferjuniper97]

To think my mom witnessed this event. Amazing!

[@jameswelsch2720]

My Dad was ships company on the Magic Carpet trips. I was born exactly one year later.

[@anibalcesarnishizk2205]

A baby boomer!!!.Been to Vietnam?.

[@jameswelsch2720]

Yes 1968 USS America CVA-66 VAH -10 det66@@anibalcesarnishizk2205

[@detroitpolak9904]

Fun family fact: my grandpa Leo Slesinski (mom’s dad) and my great-uncle Raymond Szopa (dad’s uncle) were in Saratoga but never knew each other until their wedding in 1973. They both died when I was little, so I never got to talk to them about the Pacific War.

[@detroitpolak9904]

I meant my mom and dad’s wedding, not my uncle and grandpa.

[@hubiesgarage]

Sad to think that less than 1 year later, she was sunk during Operation Crossroads at Bikini Atoll on July 25th , 1946.

[@jagreb]

My uncle served on Sara during this time period.

[@johnking8724]

my father served 1932 into 1936 ! enlisted in macon, ga discharged in san diego, calif. nice check for back then !

[@anonymusum]

Great footage. Thank you!

[@CFarnwide]

I believe USS Saratoga had the distinction of returning more servicemen home during “Operation Magic Carpet” than any other ship. The logistics involved running the war in the Pacific Theater of Operations was an incredible undertaking. Personally, I find it even more fascinating how quickly they brought those boys home!

[@DigbyOdel-et3xx]

Impressive.... Just think though that odds are every man on the Saratoga in the film has as of Jan. 2024 passed away. Their and her legacy is captured on film though

[@Ricky40369]

One of my favorite ships. The other being Iowa.

[@anibalcesarnishizk2205]

Almost 80 years later, US carriers still watch the Pacific ocean.

[@sleepylagoon7231]

All 4 of these carriers should’ve just stayed there parked & turned into museums . That would’ve amazing 💯 for the Alameda & all of California • Lucky one remained USS HORNET & saved from the scrapper or operation crossroads .

[@fourfunnelliner4798]

Still leaves me dumbstruck that the Enterprise wasnt able to be saved yet 4 essex class carriers were when none of them came close to the accomplishments of cv-6

[@donf3877]

@@fourfunnelliner4798 The most decorated... the most battle stars... why would we want to save her??? Because she was the best of the best... that's why!!!

[@bretz71]

You'd be hard pressed to convince an Enterprise crewman that the Saratoga ever got out of Bremerton during the war.

[@suspiciousminds1750]

Sara: "Now that the war is over I can finally rest in retirement!" US Navy: "Uh, we have one more job for you!"

[@rogermurray5582]

My Friend Jerry Langerback Serve U.S.S Saratoga CVN-60 Aircraft Carrier now Scape Metal U.S.NAVY

[@jimmysweat2200]

Saratoga and Lexington started out battle cruisers

[@glocke380]

Nobody used a sea bag to leave the ship, interesting.

[@hoppish088]

Saratoga was always the bridesmaid and never the bride. Still at Eastern Solomons she got some licks in.

[@MillerVanDotTV]

We should give this carrier to the Ukraine.

[@Ricky40369]

Once a very proud port, Oakland is now a ghetto of democrat policies. Beautiful ships. I wish I could have been there, back when everything didn't suck.

[@geoben1810]

@ Rick Flaherty Everything doesn't suck Ricky, just you! 🤣

[@donf3877]

@@geoben1810 Yeah... it does

[@MillerVanDotTV]

@@geoben1810lol try living in Oakland