Evening Return

Description

Aircraft are returning to their carrier, the U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard CVA-31, in the Sea of Japan during the Korean conflict. As F-4U-4s of VF-74 set up in a holding pattern, F-9F-2s of VF-72 land and taxi forward on the flight deck of the “Bonny Dick.”

History of U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard

U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard (CV/CVA-31) was one of 24 aircraft carriers completed during or shortly after World War II for the United States Navy. She was the second US Navy ship to bear the name, the first one being named for John Paul Jones’s famous Revolutionary War frigate by the same name.

U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard was commissioned in November 1944. She served in the final campaigns of the Pacific Theater, earning one battle star. Decommissioned shortly after the end of the war, she was recommissioned in 1951 for the Korean War. In her second career she operated exclusively in the Pacific. Playing a prominent role in the Korean War, she earned five battle stars, and the Vietnam War. She was modernized and recommissioned in 1955. She was decommissioned in 1971, and scrapped in 1992.

U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard during the Korean War

The outbreak of the Korean War on 25 June 1950 called U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard back to active duty. She launched the first air strikes of CVG-102 on 31 May. Bon Homme Richard continued operations with TF 77 until 20 November 1951. The carrier reached San Diego in mid-December and on 20 May 1952 was off again to the Far East, this time with CVG-7. She joined TF 77 once more on 23 June and took part in the heavy strikes against the Sui-ho Dam on 24–25 June and the amphibious feint at Kojo from 12 to 16 October. She continued operations against North Korean targets until 18 December 1952 and then steamed to San Francisco where she arrived 8 January 1953. Her classification was changed from CV-31 to CVA-31 on 1 October 1952.

The 17″ x 22″ prints are available in Limited Edition sizes of 750 Signed & Numbered and 75 Artist Proofs.