USS George H.W. Bush Commissioned in Norfolk

Navy Nimitz Class Supercarrier Honors 41st U.S. President

Jan 10, 2009

President George W. Bush (CVN 77) was honored in a ceremony commissioning the Navy Supercarrier that carries his name on January 10, 2009.

The USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) was commissioned on January 10, 2009, in a ceremony filled with pomp and nostalgia. President George W. Bush joined his family in Norfolk to commission the massive new aircraft carried named for his father, the 41st President of the United States.

President George W. Bush, the 43rd President, praised President 41 as a leader, public servant and father. President George W. Bush is the last U.S. President to come from the great World War II generation. The 41st President served as a U.S. Navy aviator during World War II.

USS George H.W. Bush Commissioned

A crowd of about 10,000 people that included President Bush’s parents and four siblings, Bush said that he had come to help commission an awesome ship and to honor an awesome man.

"We will always be inspired by the faith, humor, patriotism and compassion he taught us through his own example," Bush said speaking for his siblings. "And for as long as we live, we will carry with us dad's other lessons -- that integrity and honor are worth more than any title or treasure, and that the truest strength can come from the gentlest soul."

Bush's father, walking with the aid of a cane, told the sailors gathered for the ceremony that "you take with you the undying respect and admiration of the entire Bush family."

The massive ship is the nation’s 10th and final Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. The ship’s namesake was the first president to participate in the christening and commissioning of his namesake ship.

The George H. W. Bush is the nation's tenth and final Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. Northrop Grumman Newport News has built 11 of the U.S. Navy’s 12 active carriers, including all 10 ships of the Nimitz class.

At 1,092 feet in length, George H. W. Bush is nearly as long as the Empire State Building is tall. Upon delivery to the Navy in late 2008, it weighs 97,000 tons and carries more than 80 combat aircraft. Its top speed will exceed 30 knots and powered with two nuclear reactors, it will operate for more than 20 years without refueling.

Nimitz Class Supercarriers

Supercarriers in the Nimitz Class are named in honor of Fleet Admiral Chester William Nimitz. Ships in the Nimitz Class include:

The Nimitz class of supercarriers are the largest in the world. The class of ten ships totals just under a million tons of combined displacement.

The copyright of the article USS George H.W. Bush Commissioned in Norfolk in US President is owned by Christine Nyholm. Permission to republish USS George H.W. Bush Commissioned in Norfolk in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.