How about USS United States, enough of these self-congratulating politicians. I didn’t go to OIF/OEF for them, I went for the citizens of the United States.

I personally think that this whole issue is a disgrace. Names of warships are actually important; they need to give the Navy inspiration and espirit de corps. They also represent what America is all about. Let us please stop naming warships/capital ships after politicians and name them after adjectives, places, battles, or great statesmen. We already have a number of these, but naming a warship after Goldwater is totally ridiculous. Let us name the next carrier the USS JERRY LEWIS! How about that?

I agree with CDR Lumpy and the rest of the signatories… let’s get back to PRINCIPLES! People have their failings, principles are ideal(s).
USS FREEDOM was a good start. Continue with Assurance, Courageous, Dauntless, Endurance, ENTERPRISE, Illustrious, Intrepid, Invincible, Liberty, Reliant, Resolute, Vigilant, etc.

I’m actually German and I can tell everybody in the states that whole issue is atually even causing waves at least here in Europe too and I’m pretty sure all around the world.

It may not matter to American politicians but there is a huge support for this petition on the other side of the pond. We wouldn’t be where we are today without the curageous support and sacrifice of American soldiers and the U.S. carrier fleet was always a beacon and sign for that invaluable support. Especially the Enterprise has been and is a celebrity here. U.S. politicians should be aware that the Navy’s ships are not “just” an inspiration to American people but to people around the globe.
I can relate to Chester N. Nimitz, to JFK, of course to George Washington, Abe Lincoln or Theo Roosevelt etc. as knowing these greats is common knowledge here as they all had an impact on the whole globe but sorry who the heck is Barry Goldwater???

I may not be American but I will always be inspired by a USS ENTERPRISE or a USS America or a USS Freedom.

It may not matter at all but petition signed Sir!!

I agree that US Navy should always have a Air Craft Carrier named The Enterprise. I also am in firm belief that no ship should be named after a living person and that their should be a 10 to 20 year waiting period after that person death before naming a ship after that person. I also feel that if a ship naval ship is to be named after a person certain criteria needs to be established such as military service or heroic deed etc. That being said my votes for CVN-79 is USS Enterprise, CVN-80 USS America, CVN-81 USS Independence, CVN-82 USS Langley, CVN-83 USS Lexington, CVN-83 USS Saratoga, CVN-84 USS Ranger, CVN-85 USS Yorktown, CVN-86 USS Wasp.

I have signed the petition.

Knowlegdeable Civilian here; I’d rather not see the US Navy without a vessel named “Enterprise” for the first time ever.

I live in Boston; I’m honoured to have the oldest commissioned warship in the world in my harbor. I was very surprised to learn the current Enterprise is the second-oldest.

The tradition must be maintained.

Besides…don’t politicians have enough stuff named after themselves already?

I am currently on USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65) and being new to the Navy i really enjoy hearing about the pride that people have when they talk about their time on this great warship. ENTERPRISE IS LEGEND!!! and we need to keep her legend alive. USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-79) MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!!

YN3 Morris, Vincent

I agree. My propositions : CVN-79 “Enterprise”, CVN-80 “America”, CVN-81 “Forrestal”, CVN-82 “Independence”, CVN-83 “Ranger”, CVN-84 “Constellation”, CVN-85 “United States”, CVN-86 “John F. Kennedy”.

Belay my last…by and large, our CV(N)s used to be named after Revolutionary war battles or related events or personages: Cowpens, Franklin, Saratoga; ships of the line from the early days of our independance: Ranger, Constellation.

ANY name of those days, and absolutely ZERO politicians that haven’t been dead at LEAST 150 years…..

How about naming CVN-79 as the U.S.S. TAX Payer….

I personally would enjoy seeing the CVN-79 be named Enterprise, but I would rather we start a new tradition. I suggest that if we name it Enterprise, then it’s registry should be CVN-65-A, in honor of the soon to be decommissioned (As of about 2013) Enterprise CVN-65, who has more military honors than any other currently commissioned carrier.

I agree with SJS.

So far as I know she is slated for two more 6 month deployments before she is scrapped. I’d like to see her become a museum, but from what I’ve read on (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Enterprise_(CVN-65) (which I know isn’t the greatest place for accurate info) they said “Once the Navy dismantles and recycles the ships’ reactors, there will be nothing left to turn into a museum;[31] virtually everything two decks below the hangar bay would have to be cut apart” I hate to say this but they’re right. There won’t be to much of her left. Which saddens me that the greatest carrier and the first nuclear carrier won’t be around for future generations to admire and learn from.

However I don’t think the name should be so easy for them to throw into “The sink”. As I’ve said before the name Enterprise demands respect and has been around since the dawn of the Navy. After 7 ships before her respect is more than due. The name has become a Navy tradition. How can we teach Honor, Courage and Commitment when the Navy is so willing to do away with an age old tradition? It’s bad enought they’ve changed all the uniforms (yes, they might be more comfortable) so now we look like a Dept. of Marines (nothing wrong with the Marines). Before when you’d look at someone in the service you KNEW who was in the Navy. Yes, I hated my utilities more than anyone (and out to sea you hardly worm them anyways), but the working white and blues there was nothing wrong with them.
Sorry didn’t mean you write a whole novel…

Is the petition closed? I’ve tried to sign it but without avail.

The United States Congress in the 21st century has no concept of “Naval Traditions.” When teaching my sons & Cub Scouts about the Pacific Theater of World War II, from beginning to end I have them follow U.S.S. Enterprise CV-6. When the War on Terrorism began it was U.S.S. Enterprise CVN-65 that stood the first watch amoung many other first watches in her storied career. Even in the entertainment world they know what name to bestow on their loyal fans. The new Hawaii Five-0′s Steve McGarrett called upon a friend onboard U.S.S. Enterprise; NCIS’s view of the Norfolk Navy Base showed in the distance U.S.S. Enterprise. There are other traditional Naval names that should be kept alive as well but this country, & possibly the world, owes a debt to keeping “ENTERPRISE” on the seas for generations to come. TRADITION & HONOR, Congress, get at least one thing correct this century; U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CVN-79!

P.S. Happy 49th Anniversary U.S.S ENTERPRISE CNV-65

Barry Goldwater ran for president back when I was a young’n against none other than John Kennedy.

Yes – 79=Enterprise. I couldn’t help but notice a GOP trend – Truman, Regan, GHWBush, GFord… but I digress.

Yes – name this boat ENTERPRISE!!

I’ve been thinking, how about we also try to get the navy to keep the current Enterprise in commission until a new one is built? Because, look at how much money we’ve already put into that ship. Over $660 million. That ship deserves something more than being torn apart for scrap or becoming an artificial reef. If I had the money, I’d pay the Navy to keep that ship in commission for as long as possible.

Let’s continue a great tradition and name CVN-79 ENTERPRISE. The US Navy without a USS Enterprise? Unthinkable. I implore Congress and the US Navy Admirals to keep the name “Enterprise”.

I understand keeping CVN-65 as a museum ship may not be possible because removing the nuclear reactors would damage the ship beyond use as a museum ship. I also implore someone to start thinking about this now…..there must be a way to do it without destroying the vessel so it could be preserved as a museum for future generations of Americans to enjoy.

Yes, I agree CVN-79 should be named Enterprise. As for naming capital ships after politicians, it should be at least, 50 yrs. after their death. Not to diminish ships already named after Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush which are formidable in their own right. There also should be an aircraft carrier named after Thomas Jefferson. After all, he is the author of our constitution. Furthermore, all who were involved with our constitution should have these great capital ships bearing their names. Those who are trying to petition the naming of said hull number to Arizona are notwithstanding. In that, it was a tragedy and great trepidation that battleship during bombing of Pearl Harbor was sunk and now a standing monument for heroism during WWII.
Having said that, we should have the next CGN or BBGN named after her. Name itself will not be for a state anymore, it will be for a ship and the men who served on her. With the thought of CVN-65 not being museum potential due to her defueling of her reactors. We should look into trying to use her as a nuclear powerplant for some small city by the bay. Not to mention, giving some of our men who actually work on reactors for the Navy an opportunity. I just wish I saw this petition when it first came out.

The Navy is run on tradition.
One of the oldest is Enterprise. The fleet has had an Enterprise since before we were a nation. It needs one now.
Star Trek jokes abound, but keep in mind that when Roddenberry was looking for a ship name to epitomize the very best of his fleet he chose Enterprise because EVERYONE in his audience would recognize the meaning and tradition and see the connection to our own world.
I dare any American to try to think of the USS ENTERPRISE, and not also feel national pride and know they are safe because it is theirs.

I would love to see the Enterprise to be born again as CVN-79. Some how it needs to be a museum in San Francisco so Captain Kirk can find it.

It’s been awhile since some of these comments were made. There was at least two that suggested ‘America’ be the name of a CVN.

Please note that Pre-commissioning Unit America LHA 6 is currently being built in Pascagula, MS. ‘America’ will be back to sea, estimated to commission in 2013. I attended the Keel Authentication and Naming Ceremony. The USS America Carrier Veteran Association’s constant effort at getting ‘America’ back to sea paid off. Hand Salute to that association!

Their goal was a CVN, but first in class LHA is a nice 2nd option. Our smallest carrier is bigger than any others largest carrier, and that include’s the French (really about the same weight and length).

I served aboard USS Carl Vinson. He was not a President, but a true Statesman. I agree. We should not name carriers after Presidents any longer. We’ve already lost Ranger, Constellation, Kitty Hawk, America, Coral Sea, etc. These names should have carried on. It would be nice to have a crew disembark Enterprise CVN-65 upon her decommissioning, and immediately board Enterprise CVN-79 or 80 on the other side of the pier for commissioning. That way our carrier force is never without an Enterprise.