Scarce early original vintage silver gelatin photograph shows the launching of the famous aircraft carrier USS BON HOMME RICHARD at the New York Navy Yard.

Extensive caption can be read on Scan #2

USS Bon Homme Richard (CV/CVA-31) was one of 24 Essex-class aircraft carriers completed during or shortly after World War II for the United States Navy.

Bon Homme Richard was commissioned in November 1944, and served in the final campaigns of the Pacific Theater of Operations, earning one battle star. Decommissioned shortly after the end of the war, she was modernized and recommissioned in the early 1950s as an attack carrier (CVA).

In her second career she operated exclusively in the Pacific, playing a prominent role in the Korean War, for which she earned five battle stars, and the Vietnam War. She was decommissioned in 1971, and scrapped in 1992.

Photograph measures 8 x 10 inches and is in very good condition with a couple bends at top border area and bottom left and a repaired 1/4” tear at top border area. The image is very sharp and has strong tones with good contrast and clarity.  Back has writing mentioned above.

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