Farewell: USS Enterprise Starred In History And Film
NPR story
In its illustrious history, the Enterprise served
at the center of international events for a half-century —
from the Cuban missile crisis to Vietnam to the Iraq War.
at the center of international events for a half-century —
from the Cuban missile crisis to Vietnam to the Iraq War.
And it had a distinguished Hollywood career as well,
playing a leading role in the 1986 film Top Gun,
which starred Tom Cruise as a young naval aviator.
playing a leading role in the 1986 film Top Gun,
which starred Tom Cruise as a young naval aviator.
When the Enterprise slipped into the waters
off Norfolk for the first time, it was a modern marvel,
more than 1,000 feet long.
"She was certainly the largest warship built
by any nation up to that time,"
says naval expert Norman Polmar.
off Norfolk for the first time, it was a modern marvel,
more than 1,000 feet long.
"She was certainly the largest warship built
by any nation up to that time,"
says naval expert Norman Polmar.