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CHRISTENING OF U.S.S. ENTERPRISE
1960
NEWPORT NEWS, VA
Purpose: To commemorate christening of U.S.S.
Enterprise, "World's largest ship and first nuclear powered aircraft
carrier."
Site, Date, Attendance: Shipyard of Newport News Shipbuilding and
Dry Dock Co., Newport News, VA, Sept. 24, 1960; attendance about 15,000,
"largest in recent times."
Comment: Huge craft perpetuated name of 7 Naval
predecessors dating from Revolutionary War, ranging from small sloop
captured from British in 1775 to famous "Big E" of
World War II, flagship of Admiral Halsey. Latter built in 1938, never
inoperative throughout 4 years battle action in Pacific and was only ship in
naval history to receive both Presidential and unit citations.
Decommissioned 1947 and struck from Navy List 1956, her tripod mast now
stands as memorial on grounds of U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis.
Keel of this Enterprise was laid Feb. 4, 1958;
U.S. Bureau of Ships, Westinghouse, Admiral Rickover and his staff and "over
800 subcontractors" joined Newport News Shipbuilding in construction.
Christened by Mrs. William B. Franke, wife of Secretary of Navy, another
year was required for outfitting before commissioning in Fall, 1961. Vessel
over 1,100 ft. long, with 4 1/2 acre flight deck and crew of 4,600 including
air group. Displacing 85,000 tons, capable of cruising "20 times around the
world without refueling…at sustained high speed."
Medal: Issued by Newport News Shipbuilding Co.
and presented to those attending christening ceremony together with
christening program, picture postcards of Enterprise and brochure
describing ship and her reactors. Medal designed by Company art staff,
executed in bas-relief by New York sculptor Ralph Menconi; 15,000 Bronze
pieces struck by Medallic Art Co. Apparently only 11,000 medals distributed
at christening and surplus of 4,000 bought by Norfolk, Virginia, souvenir
dealer. It was reported reliably that dies have been destroyed.
 
Photos courtesy of Jonathan Brecher
Obv. An Aircraft Carrier (in high relief); above
U. S. S. Enterprise below ship Worlds Largest / Ship;
below, around First Nuclear Powered Aircraft Carrier
Rev. At top, around Newport News Shipbuilding
and Drydock Company; Company Seal below; below seal, across
Christened by / Mrs. William B. Franke / September 24. 1960
/ Newport News / Virginia
HK-578 Bronze. 38mm.
NOTE: This issue should not be confused
with the 2 1/2 in. Silver and Bronze medals widely offered beginning 1960.
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