The USS Essex has been more than just a name in the U.S. Navy; it has been a title carried by vessels that have played crucial roles in America’s naval history.

From the wooden walls of a frigate in the 18th century to the steel decks of a 20th-century aircraft carrier, the name Essex has become synonymous with service and sacrifice.

The first USS Essex, commissioned in 1799, was a wooden-hulled frigate that had a formidable career.

During the Quasi-War with France, it was the first U.S. Navy warship to sail around the Cape of Good Hope, a feat demonstrating the young nation’s expanding naval capability.

The ship continued to make history in the First Barbary War and the War of 1812, capturing the British HMS Alert and preying on enemy whalers.

Despite its eventual capture by the Royal Navy, the legacy of the first USS Essex inspired subsequent ships bearing its name.

The more recent namesake, USS Essex (CV-9), laid down in April 1941, was a formidable example of naval power during World War II. As the lead ship of its class, it saw action in significant battles including Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

“After completing sea trials and a shakedown cruise, the warship was deployed to the Pacific in May 1943 – becoming flagship of Task Force 14,” noted one of the sources detailing its war service. CV-9’s exceptional service was recognized with a Presidential Unit Citation and 17 battle stars.

After World War II, the USS Essex underwent significant modernization, transitioning from an attack aircraft carrier to an anti-submarine warfare support carrier. The ship continued its service into the Korean War, becoming the first to launch F2H Banshee twin-jet fighters on combat missions.

The Essex was also part of the naval blockade during the Cuban Missile Crisis and played a role in the recovery of the Apollo 7 space mission, underlining its versatility and ongoing contributions to national security.

However, despite its distinguished service, the USS Essex was decommissioned in 1969 and scrapped in 1975.

While it’s unclear why efforts weren’t made to preserve this historic warship, its sister ships—Yorktown, Intrepid, Hornet, and Lexington—remain as floating museums, serving as lasting tributes to the Essex-class carriers and the sailors who served on them.

The two vessels named Essex, each from distinct eras of naval warfare, underscore the evolution of naval technology and tactics.

They represent the transition from wood to steel, from sail to steam to nuclear power, reflecting the ingenuity and adaptability of the U.S. Navy.

The stories of these Essex-class warships not only serve as a repository of heroic deeds and naval milestones but also as a source of inspiration for future generations.