Retired USS John F. Kennedy, Last Conventional Aircraft Carrier, Sold for Scrap at 1 Cent

After nearly 40 years of service, the ex-USS John F. Kennedy, the last conventionally-powered carrier built for the Navy, is set to be dismantled and sold as scrap metal.

First-in-Class Aircraft Supercarrier

The USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) was a variant of the Kitty Hawk-class carrier and designated CVA-67 for attack aircraft carrier. After undergoing modifications, it was reclassified as CV-67, the only ship of its class capable of supporting anti-submarine warfare aircraft like the S-3 Viking.

The Last of Its Kind

As the last conventional aircraft carrier built for the US Navy, the Kennedy was propelled by eight conventional boilers and four steam turbines, allowing it to reach speeds of 34 knots.

Impressive Dimensions

The massive carrier measured nearly 200 feet in height and more than 1,000 feet in length, with a flight deck as wide as a World War I destroyer was long.

History of Service

During its 38 years of service, the Kennedy participated in 18 official deployments, including notable involvements in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom.

The Legendary Prank

The Kennedy was not only renowned for its service but also the setting of a now-legendary military prank. During a change of command in 1986, aviators aboard the USS America dropped off three greased pigs dyed with red, white, and blue food coloring onto the Kennedy's deck, creating an uproarious and unexpected spectacle.

Retirement and Sale for a Cent

In 2007, the Kennedy was formally decommissioned and later sold to a Texas-based ship-breaking firm for just one cent, due to the exorbitant costs associated with towing and recycling the vessel.

A Dissolving Legacy

A group of veterans who served on the Kennedy during the Vietnam War mourned the impending scrapping of the ship, expressing their emotional attachment to the vessel despite its rusted state.

The Next Generation

While the ex-USS John F. Kennedy meets its end, the USS Kennedy (CV-79), the second ship in the Gerald R. Ford class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, continues the legacy with its recent launch and testing of advanced catapult systems.