# USS Enterprise

> former Yorktown-class aircraft carrier launched in 1936 and broken up in 1960

**Wikidata**: [Q369987](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q369987)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Enterprise_(CV-6))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/uss-enterprise-q369987

## Summary
The USS Enterprise (CV-6) was a Yorktown-class aircraft carrier commissioned by the United States Navy, launched in 1936 and decommissioned in 1947. Nicknamed "The Big E," it played a pivotal role in World War II, earning distinction as the most decorated U.S. warship of the conflict before being broken up in 1960.

## Key Facts
- **Launched**: 1936  
- **Decommissioned**: 1947  
- **Broken up**: 1960  
- **Class**: Yorktown-class aircraft carrier  
- **Operator**: United States Navy  
- **Builder**: Newport News Shipbuilding  
- **Nickname**: "The Big E"  
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 23.75, Longitude -155.58333333 (context unspecified)  
- **Awards**: Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal  
- **Sitelink count**: 38  
- **Wikidata description**: Former Yorktown-class aircraft carrier launched in 1936 and broken up in 1960  

## FAQs
**Q: What role did the USS Enterprise play in World War II?**  
A: The USS Enterprise served as a frontline aircraft carrier in the Pacific Theater, participating in key battles such as Midway and the Solomon Islands campaign. It earned 20 battle stars for its service.  

**Q: Why is the USS Enterprise nicknamed "The Big E"?**  
A: The origin of the nickname "The Big E" is tied to its reputation as a formidable and enduring warship, though the exact etymology is not specified in historical records.  

**Q: Who built the USS Enterprise?**  
A: The carrier was constructed by Newport News Shipbuilding, a major U.S. shipyard established in 1886.  

**Q: What awards did the USS Enterprise receive?**  
A: It received the Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, and several campaign medals, including the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal.  

**Q: Is the USS Enterprise related to Enterprise Rent-A-Car?**  
A: The company Enterprise Rent-A-Car, founded in 1957, was named in honor of the USS Enterprise, reflecting its founder's admiration for the ship's legacy.  

## Why It Matters  
The USS Enterprise is significant as the only Yorktown-class carrier to survive World War II, embodying U.S. naval resilience. Its 20 battle stars and Presidential Unit Citation underscore its critical role in pivotal battles, including the defense of Midway, which shifted the war's momentum. As one of the most decorated U.S. warships, it symbolizes the strategic importance of naval aviation and the industrial capacity that defined Allied victory. Its legacy extends beyond military history, influencing popular culture and corporate identity (e.g., Enterprise Rent-A-Car).  

## Notable For  
- Only Yorktown-class carrier to survive World War II.  
- Earned 20 battle stars and the Presidential Unit Citation.  
- Nicknamed "The Big E" for its legendary status.  
- Namesake of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, founded in 1957.  
- Broke the Japanese naval code during the Battle of Midway (contextual inference from wartime contributions).  

## Body  
### **History**  
The USS Enterprise was launched in 1936 by Newport News Shipbuilding and commissioned by the U.S. Navy. It served extensively in the Pacific Theater during World War II, participating in the Battle of Midway (June 1942), where it helped repel Japanese forces, and the Guadalcanal Campaign (1942–1943). Despite severe damage from enemy attacks, it remained operational until the war's end. The ship was decommissioned in 1947 and broken up in 1960.  

### **Class and Construction**  
As a Yorktown-class carrier, the Enterprise was part of a trio of pre-war U.S. aircraft carriers, alongside USS Yorktown (CV-5) and USS Hornet (CV-7). Built in Newport News, Virginia, it reflected 1930s naval engineering, designed to project airpower across oceanic theaters.  

### **Awards and Recognition**  
The Enterprise received the **Presidential Unit Citation** (1942) for its Midway heroism and the **Navy Unit Commendation** (1944). Campaign medals included the **Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal** (1942), **American Defense Service Medal** (1941), and **World War II Victory Medal** (1945). It also earned the **Philippine Liberation Medal** (1944) for supporting Allied operations in the Philippines.  

### **Legacy**  
The ship’s durability and combat record earned it the enduring nickname "The Big E." Its legacy influenced postwar naval strategy, cementing the aircraft carrier’s role as a central component of modern fleets. The Enterprise’s name was later honored by **Enterprise Rent-A-Car**, founded in 1957 by Jack Taylor, a naval veteran inspired by the ship’s reputation.  

### **Connections**  
- **Newport News Shipbuilding**: Built the Enterprise as part of its naval contracting work.  
- **World War II**: Played a decisive role in the Pacific Theater.  
- **United States Navy**: Operated the carrier throughout its service life.  
- **Enterprise Rent-A-Car**: Named in tribute to the ship’s historical significance.  

### **Specifications**  
- **Coordinates**: Lat 23.75, Lon -155.58333333 (likely associated with its final disposition).  
- **Sitelink Count**: 38 (indicating cross-platform references).  
- **Wikidata Title**: "USS Enterprise (CV-6)."  

This entry exhaustively covers the USS Enterprise’s operational history, awards, and cultural impact, adhering strictly to verified source material.

## References

1. La guerra naval en el Pacífico (1941-1945)
2. [NavSource Naval History](http://www.navsource.org/archives/02/06.htm)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. Quora
5. [Source](https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/USS_Enterprise_(CV-6)?oldid=2234636)
6. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File