The USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) will forever be greater than an immense plane carrier to the thousands who were on board her. She was a home, a workplace, and a neighborhood combined—a movable city where young men and women learned harsh lessons, gained lifelong friendships, and experienced challenges that would mold them for life. Commissioned in 1960 and extending a record 1,000 feet, she was a marvel of engineering. But for those who served and lived aboard, memories were far more than steel and machinery.
Life aboard the Kitty Hawk was a never-ending whirl of activity, sound, and responsibility. More than 4,500 sailors worked together in unison, keeping all systems running as smoothly as possible while guarding the safety of all aboard. For most, it was their first time actually on their own, and the unexpected responsibility was thrilling and intimidating at the same time.
Corey Urband, an ex-machinist’s mate, recalled that his friends were still in school while he was “30 feet below the waterline, halfway around the world from home.” Another crewman, Rich Bratlee, was from a Montana town of only 3,000 people, only to be living among 6,000 sailors. Even the escalators of the ship became part of its legend, sometimes culminating in ridiculous pileups when too many took them at the same time.
Some risks went unappreciated then. As on many ships constructed during that period, the Kitty Hawk contained asbestos, prized at the time for its fireproof and insulating properties. It was found in the engine rooms, boiler spaces, pipes, insulation, and even some protective equipment.
For those serving in hot, cramped areas—particularly in engineering—exposure to asbestos fibers was a daily hazard. The damage wouldn’t appear until decades later, when some of the veterans contracted asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma.
Some of the stories are particularly difficult to hear. One of the sailors contracted asbestosis after fixing things in the early ’60s. Another, who worked with valves and gaskets down in the engine compartment, was diagnosed with mesothelioma decades later and eventually won compensation.
These diseases cast a long shadow, touching not only the veterans themselves but their families as well. Nowadays, frequent medical check-ups are highly recommended for anyone who served aboard ships during that era, and the Veterans Administration offers assistance to those suffering from asbestos illnesses.
The emotional aspect of life on the Kitty Hawk was equally intense. The crew underwent catastrophes like the 1972 race riots, which brought about changes that lasted for years, and a blazing fire in 1973 that claimed six lives but also uncovered acts of selflessness and bravery. For most, these experiences instilled resilience, loyalty, and an unshakeable sense of responsibility. The bonds created under those circumstances have endured a lifetime, with reunions and memorial services keeping the spirit of the ship alive.
When finally decommissioned and on her 16,000-mile sail to a Texas shipbreaking facility, it was a time marked with bittersweet emotions. Vets and their families gathered to reminisce, bid farewell, and take mementos created from scraps of the ship.
Chris Green, President of International Shipbreaking Limited, stated clearly that the scrapping would be accomplished with dignity and respect, paying tribute to the service and sacrifice of all who made the Kitty Hawk their home.
Ultimately, the history of the USS Kitty Hawk is one of perseverance, not merely of a vessel that operated in decades of turmoil and transformation, but of the men whose bodies, faculties, and souls were permanently tested by their service on her decks. She continues to live on in all that she influenced and in the lessons brought forward by those who served.