VALLEY FORGE LPH 8

Ship Name and Designation History

This section lists the names and designations that the ship had during its lifetime. The list is in chronological order.

Ticondroga Class Aircraft Carrier Keel Laid September 7 1943 - Launched November 18 1945 USS VALLEY FORGE CV-45 Commissioned November 3 1946 USS VALLEY FORGE CVA-45 Reclassified Attack Aircraft Carrier (CVA) January 2 1953 USS VALLEY FORGE CVS-45 Reclassified Anti-submarine Carrier (CVS) November 12 1953 USS VALLEY FORGE LPH-8 Reclassified Amphibious Assult Ship (Helecopter) (LPH) July 1 1961 Decommissioned January 15 1970 Struck from Naval Register January 15 1970 Sold October 29 1971 to Nicolai Joffre Corp., Beverly Hills, CA for scrap

Naval Covers

This section lists active links to the pages displaying covers associated with the ship. There should be a separate set of pages for each incarnation of the ship (ie, for each entry in the "Ship Name and Designation History" section). Covers should be presented in chronological order (or as best as can be determined).

Since a ship may have many covers, they may be split among many pages so it doesn't take forever for the pages to load. Each page link should be accompanied by a date range for covers on that page.

1. Covers Page 1    (1946-65)

 

Postmarks

This section lists examples of the postmarks used by the ship. There should be a separate set of postmarks for each incarnation of the ship (ie, for each entry in the "Ship Name and Designation History" section). Within each set, the postmarks should be listed in order of their classification type. If more than one postmark has the same classification, then they should be further sorted by date of earliest known usage.

A postmark should not be included unless accompanied by a close-up image and/or an image of a cover showing that postmark. Date ranges MUST be based ONLY ON COVERS IN THE MUSEUM and are expected to change as more covers are added.
 
>>> If you have a better example for any of the postmarks, please feel free to replace the existing example.

 

Postmark Type --- Killer Bar Text	Date From to Date To	Thumbnail Link To Postmark Image	Thumbnail Link To Cover Image

 

Locy Type FDC 2(n)

1946-11-03

As CV-45

 

Locy Type FDC F USCS Postmark Catalog Illus. V-3a

1946-11-03

Notes:

 

Locy Type 2 USCS Postmark Catalog Illus. V-3c

1953-12-14

As CVA-45

 

Locy Type 2(n) USCS Postmark Catalog Illus. V-3e

1947-03-25

As CV-45

 

Locy Type 2(n) USCS Postmark Catalog Illus. V-3f

1947-05-20

As CV-45
20th Anniversary of Linbergh's solo flight.

 

Locy Type 2(n) USCS Postmark Catalog Illus. V-3f

1948-07-22

As CV-45

 

Locy Type 2(n+) USCS Postmark Catalog Illus. V-3g

1949-06-22

As CV-45

 

Locy Type 2(n+) (LPH) USCS Postmark Catalog Illus. V-3h

1965-03-13

As LPH-8

 

Locy Type 2(n+) (LPH,USS) USCS Postmark Catalog Illus. V-3i

1964-02-07

As LPH-8

 

Locy Type 7t

1955-08-15

As CVS-45

 

Locy Type 9ef(nu)

1947-05-20

As CV-45

 

Locy Type F "AROUND / THE WORLD" USCS Postmark Catalog Illus. V-3j

October 1947 to June 1948

As CV-45
Postmark used as a cachet.

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USPS Pictorial "60th Anniversary Commissioning Station" Valley Forge, PA

2006-11-03

60th Anniversary, cachet by Stephen Decatur Chapter No. 4, USCS

 

Other Information

VALLEY FORGE received the following awards during her Naval career - Navy Unit Commendation (3) - Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (2) - National Defense Service Medal (2) - Korean Service Medal (w/ 8 battle stars) - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (5) - Vietnam Service Medal (w/ 9 battle stars) - Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation (9) - United Nations Service Medal - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal - Republic of Korea War Service Medal.

NAMESAKE - A locality in Chester County, Pa., where the Continental Army suffered bitter cold and privation during the winter of 1777 and 1778 while British troops basked in warmth and plenty in nearby Philadelphia. Yet, because of the inspiring example of leaders like Washington and skillful training by drill instructors like von Steuben, the American Army emerged from its winter encampment with renewed self confidence, courage, and fighting ability. The name Valley Forge has since become a symbol of the triumph of American patriotism and self-sacrifice. {DANFS}

 

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