How The Iconic USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) Ended Up Being Sold for Scrap For Just One Cent

In May 2022, the decommissioned supercarrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) reached Brownsville, Texas to undergo dismantling. This storied ship faithfully served the US Navy for nearly five decades, having been commissioned in 1961 at a construction cost of $264 million (equivalent to $2.5 billion today). In 2021, Kitty Hawk was sold to a scrap company for a nominal one cent. While ongoing discussions debate the financial value of this esteemed vessel, the invaluable contribution of her almost fifty years of service remains indisputable.

Captivating military personnel and civilians alike

The construction of the USS Kitty Hawk , the inaugural vessel of the Kitty Hawk -class of aircraft carriers, began at the New York Ship Building Corporation in December 1956. Launched in May 1960 and commissioned a year later, the vessel embarked on her early journeys, including visits to South America and cruises along the Japanese coast.

Use during the Vietnam War

During the Vietnam War , Kitty Hawk played a pivotal role in Southeast Asia, before undergoing modifications to enhance her versatility as a multi-purpose carrier. Throughout the 1970s, she operated in the Western Pacific, engaging in humanitarian efforts, such as rescuing Vietnamese refugees and providing support in the aftermath of the assassination of Korean President Park Chung-hee . Subsequently, the carrier was dispatched to the Arabian Sea during the Iran Hostage Crisis .

For the remainder of her service, Kitty Hawk carried out deployments in both the Middle East and the Pacific.

Kitty Hawk 's Weapons

Armed with an arsenal that included RIM-7 Sparrow surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), two RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAMs) and two Phalanx Closed-In Weapon Systems (CIWS), Kitty Hawk was a marvel in the US Navy's fleet. She housed between 70 and 85 aircraft, accommodating Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets , Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowlers, E-2C Hawkeyes, Sikorsky SH-60F and HH-60H Sea Hawk helicopters, and a Grumman C-2A Greyhound.

Beyond her military significance, Kitty Hawk hosted a constellation of celebrities, with notable figures being US President John F. Kennedy , Nancy Sinatra and author John Steinbeck gracing her decks. The vessel even graced Hollywood when Disney utilized her for the filming of the 1966 movie, Lt. Robin Crusoe, U.S.N .

In a historic milestone, Kitty Hawk , in December 1967, earned the distinction of being the first carrier to receive the Presidential Unit Citation. This accolade recognized her exceptional service during the Vietnam War, particularly her contributions during the Tet Offensive .

Sold down the river

In 2005, the Navy announced the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) would replace Kitty Hawk at United States Fleet Activities Yokosuka , Japan.

The decommissioning process began in 2008, and the vessel was officially retired in 2019 in Bremerton, Washington. More than 2,000 people filled Kitty Hawk ’s hangar bay during a ceremony to honor the legacy of the Navy’s oldest active warship on the day of her retirement.

Veterans tried to save her

While her fate was still undecided, the USS Kitty Hawk Veterans Association raised $5 million to preserve the carrier as a museum. Unfortunately, the Navy decided against the plan, in favor of scrapping the ship. In October 2021, the service sold Kitty Hawk and another carrier, the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), to International Shipbreaking Limited for one cent each .

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In May 2022, Kitty Hawk reached her final destination in Texas to begin the scrapping process, which is expected to take between five and 10 years, at a cost of around $750 million.