Newport News Shipbuilding launched Hornet (CV 12) on Aug. 30, 1943. Built to support the U.S. Navy effort during World War II, the Essex-class aircraft carrier was the eighth ship to carry the name Hornet.

Commissioned later that year, Hornet became a key player in the Pacific during the war. The ship supported air operations and helped to secure Allied victories. Its contributions earned the ship nine battle stars, denoting its participation in specific battles and campaigns.

Over the years, Hornet underwent several significant modernizations to support the U.S. Navy and several redesignations. In 1952, the Hornet received the “CVA” designation for attack carrier. In 1958, it would be redesignated (ASW) for anti-submarine warfare support.

On July 24, 1969, Hornet played a special role in safely recovering the Apollo 11 spacecraft, one of the most complex recoveries in NASA spaceflight history. In November of the same year, Hornet assisted in recovering Apollo 12.

In 1970, Hornet was decommissioned. The aircraft carrier was designated a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service in 1991. You can now visit the aircraft carrier at the USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum in Alameda, California.