USS BonHomme Richard (CV-31)

• Namesake Legacy: USS BonHomme Richard (CV-31) was named after the famous Revolutionary War frigate captained by John Paul Jones, which itself was named in honor of Benjamin Franklin's pen name, "Poor Richard." • World War II Service: Commissioned in November 1944, CV-31 joined the Pacific Fleet and participated in the final months of World War II, striking Japanese targets and supporting Allied operations. • Kyushu Raids: The carrier took part in the intense raids on Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan’s main islands, facing frequent kamikaze attacks but continuing flight operations. • Kamikaze Strike: On May 14, 1945, BonHomme Richard was hit by a kamikaze, causing significant damage and casualties, but remarkably, she quickly resumed flight operations. • Pilot Heroes: Future astronauts John Glenn and Neil Armstrong both flew missions from the decks of BonHomme Richard during their respective military careers. • Korean War Action: Reactivated for the Korean War, CV-31 launched air strikes against North Korean and Chinese targets, supporting United Nations ground forces. • Anglicized Spelling: The ship's name was intentionally spelled in the French style, "BonHomme Richard," rather than the more common "Bon Homme Richard," following tradition from the original Revolutionary War vessel. • Vietnam Service: Extensively deployed to Southeast Asia, BonHomme Richard supported combat operations during the Vietnam War, earning multiple battle stars for her service. • Modernization: In the 1950s, she underwent the SCB-27C and SCB-125 upgrades, adding an angled flight deck and other improvements to operate jet aircraft. • Decommissioning and Legacy: Decommissioned in 1971, CV-31 was scrapped in 1992. Her name lives on in the US Navy with other ships, most recently the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6).