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Intrepid: The Epic Story of America's Most Legendary Warship
The first official history of the legendary aircraft carrier that fought in World War II and Vietnam and continues to serve as a major air and space museum in New York City
The USS Intrepid is a warship unlike any other. Since her launching in 1943, the 27,000-ton, Essex-class aircraft carrier has sailed into harm’s way around the globe. During World War II, she fought her way across the Pacific—Kwajalein, Truk, Peleliu, Formosa, the Philippines, Okinawa—surviving kamikaze and torpedo attacks and covering herself with glory. The famous ship endured to become a Cold War attack carrier, recovery ship for America’s first astronauts, and a three-tour combatant in Vietnam.
In a riveting narrative based on archival research and interviews with surviving crewmen, authors Bill White and Robert Gandt take us inside the war in the Pacific. We join Intrepid’s airmen at the Battle of Leyte Gulf, in October 1944, as they gaze in awe at the apparitions beneath them: five Japanese battleships, including the dreadnoughts Yamato and Musashi, plus a fleet of heavily armored cruisers and destroyers. The sky fills with multihued bursts of anti-aircraft fire. The flak, a Helldiver pilot would write in his action report, “was so thick you could get out and walk on it.” Half a dozen Intrepid aircraft are blown from the sky, but they sink the Musashi. A few months later, off Okinawa, they again meet her sister ship, the mighty Yamato. In a two-hour tableau of hellfire and towering explosions, Intrepid’s warplanes help send the super-battleship and 3,000 Japanese crewmen to the bottom of the sea.
We’re next to nineteen-year-old Alonzo Swann in Gun Tub 10 aboard Intrepid as he peers over the breech of a 20-mm anti-aircraft gun. He’s heard of kamikazes, but until today he’s never seen one. Swann and his fellow gunners are among the few African Americans assigned to combat duty in the U.S. Navy of 1944. Blazing away at the diving Japanese Zero, Swann realizes with a dreadful certainty where it will strike: directly into Gun Tub 10.
The authors follow Intrepid’s journey to Vietnam. “MiG-21 high!” crackles the voice of Lt. Tony Nargi in his F-8 Crusader. It is 1968, and Intrepid is again at war. Launching from Yankee Station in the Tonkin Gulf, Nargi and his wingman have intercepted a flight of Russian-built supersonic fighters. Minutes later, after a swirling dogfight over North Vietnam, Nargi—and Intrepid—have added another downed enemy airplane to their credit.
Intrepid: The Epic Story of America’s Most Legendary Warship brings a renowned ship to life in a stirring tribute complete with the personal recollections of those who served aboard her, dramatic photographs, time lines, maps, and vivid descriptions of Intrepid’s deadly conflicts. More than a numbers-and-dates narrative, Intrepid is the story of people—those who sailed in her, fought to keep her alive, perished in her defense—and powerfully captures the human element in this saga of American heroism.
The USS Intrepid is a warship unlike any other. Since her launching in 1943, the 27,000-ton, Essex-class aircraft carrier has sailed into harm’s way around the globe. During World War II, she fought her way across the Pacific—Kwajalein, Truk, Peleliu, Formosa, the Philippines, Okinawa—surviving kamikaze and torpedo attacks and covering herself with glory. The famous ship endured to become a Cold War attack carrier, recovery ship for America’s first astronauts, and a three-tour combatant in Vietnam.
In a riveting narrative based on archival research and interviews with surviving crewmen, authors Bill White and Robert Gandt take us inside the war in the Pacific. We join Intrepid’s airmen at the Battle of Leyte Gulf, in October 1944, as they gaze in awe at the apparitions beneath them: five Japanese battleships, including the dreadnoughts Yamato and Musashi, plus a fleet of heavily armored cruisers and destroyers. The sky fills with multihued bursts of anti-aircraft fire. The flak, a Helldiver pilot would write in his action report, “was so thick you could get out and walk on it.” Half a dozen Intrepid aircraft are blown from the sky, but they sink the Musashi. A few months later, off Okinawa, they again meet her sister ship, the mighty Yamato. In a two-hour tableau of hellfire and towering explosions, Intrepid’s warplanes help send the super-battleship and 3,000 Japanese crewmen to the bottom of the sea.
We’re next to nineteen-year-old Alonzo Swann in Gun Tub 10 aboard Intrepid as he peers over the breech of a 20-mm anti-aircraft gun. He’s heard of kamikazes, but until today he’s never seen one. Swann and his fellow gunners are among the few African Americans assigned to combat duty in the U.S. Navy of 1944. Blazing away at the diving Japanese Zero, Swann realizes with a dreadful certainty where it will strike: directly into Gun Tub 10.
The authors follow Intrepid’s journey to Vietnam. “MiG-21 high!” crackles the voice of Lt. Tony Nargi in his F-8 Crusader. It is 1968, and Intrepid is again at war. Launching from Yankee Station in the Tonkin Gulf, Nargi and his wingman have intercepted a flight of Russian-built supersonic fighters. Minutes later, after a swirling dogfight over North Vietnam, Nargi—and Intrepid—have added another downed enemy airplane to their credit.
Intrepid: The Epic Story of America’s Most Legendary Warship brings a renowned ship to life in a stirring tribute complete with the personal recollections of those who served aboard her, dramatic photographs, time lines, maps, and vivid descriptions of Intrepid’s deadly conflicts. More than a numbers-and-dates narrative, Intrepid is the story of people—those who sailed in her, fought to keep her alive, perished in her defense—and powerfully captures the human element in this saga of American heroism.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 25, 2015
Intrepid: The Epic Story of America's Most Legendary Warship is a gripping, 4 Star collection of war stories that gets right to the action. The Intrepid's WWII battles cover the first 160 pages of the book. The ship was in the thick of it. Here is an excerpt from Nov 1944, off the Philippine Islands supporting MacArthur's forces.
A kamikaze has already hit the flight deck and caused major casualties. But the crews are fighting the fires and think the ship can be back in action shortly. Until another one shows up…
The Intrepid was in the thick of many battles and suffers kamikaze attacks and torpedo hits. Another story of interest is Gun Tub 10. It was manned by African-American stewards who, according to existing Navy rules, were not supposed to be in combat positions. However, the Intrepid's captain was willing to use every man who wanted to fight so Alonzo Swann and his buddies are manning the 20mm Oerlikon AAA. The actual story is really well-told but here is a sadder aspect of the times (finally corrected 49 years later): http://www.deseretnews.com/article/31...
The book goes on to cover the Intrepid’s travails and successes after the war. It goes into inactive reserve, comes back on duty and serves in the Cold War, then off the coast of Vietnam. It is finally retired and almost becomes scrap iron. But it was saved to become a museum, now floating in New York harbor. Some very moving stories of the men who served aboard. Quite an enjoyable book.
A kamikaze has already hit the flight deck and caused major casualties. But the crews are fighting the fires and think the ship can be back in action shortly. Until another one shows up…
The Intrepid was in the thick of many battles and suffers kamikaze attacks and torpedo hits. Another story of interest is Gun Tub 10. It was manned by African-American stewards who, according to existing Navy rules, were not supposed to be in combat positions. However, the Intrepid's captain was willing to use every man who wanted to fight so Alonzo Swann and his buddies are manning the 20mm Oerlikon AAA. The actual story is really well-told but here is a sadder aspect of the times (finally corrected 49 years later): http://www.deseretnews.com/article/31...
The book goes on to cover the Intrepid’s travails and successes after the war. It goes into inactive reserve, comes back on duty and serves in the Cold War, then off the coast of Vietnam. It is finally retired and almost becomes scrap iron. But it was saved to become a museum, now floating in New York harbor. Some very moving stories of the men who served aboard. Quite an enjoyable book.
May 30, 2022
This book is the official history of the aircraft carrier that distinguished itself in combat from World War II to Vietnam.
Bill White, president of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, and Gandt (Acts of Vengeance, 2002, etc.), a former U.S. Navy fighter, recounts the ship’s rich past, beginning with its service in the Pacific, where the Intrepid participated in the assault on the Japanese stronghold at Truk, the Palau campaign and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. She helped sink the famous battleship Yamato and was the victim of torpedo strikes and numerous, desperate kamikaze attacks.
The authors are at their best chronicling the resulting devastation to crew and carrier from these furious battles. During the ’60s the ship did a star turn as the recovery vessel for Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter and Gemini astronauts Gus Grissom and John Young and also served three busy combat tours in Vietnam. Named the official vessel of the 1976 U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Bicentennial Exposition, the Intrepid, after heroic efforts by New York City philanthropist Zachary Fisher, became a floating museum, but never totally left the fight, serving after 9/11 as temporary emergency headquarters for the FBI-NYPD joint terrorism task force.
Though the accumulated details sometimes slow the narrative, the ship’s glittering history provides the authors with plenty of interesting stories, ranging from the long-delayed Navy Cross awarded sailor Alonzo Swann, to the flight-deck heroics of the various Air Groups attached to the carrier, to her peacetime extrication from the mud of the Hudson River.
A worthy tribute to the nation’s sea power, as well as all who served aboard the Intrepid.
Bill White, president of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, and Gandt (Acts of Vengeance, 2002, etc.), a former U.S. Navy fighter, recounts the ship’s rich past, beginning with its service in the Pacific, where the Intrepid participated in the assault on the Japanese stronghold at Truk, the Palau campaign and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. She helped sink the famous battleship Yamato and was the victim of torpedo strikes and numerous, desperate kamikaze attacks.
The authors are at their best chronicling the resulting devastation to crew and carrier from these furious battles. During the ’60s the ship did a star turn as the recovery vessel for Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter and Gemini astronauts Gus Grissom and John Young and also served three busy combat tours in Vietnam. Named the official vessel of the 1976 U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Bicentennial Exposition, the Intrepid, after heroic efforts by New York City philanthropist Zachary Fisher, became a floating museum, but never totally left the fight, serving after 9/11 as temporary emergency headquarters for the FBI-NYPD joint terrorism task force.
Though the accumulated details sometimes slow the narrative, the ship’s glittering history provides the authors with plenty of interesting stories, ranging from the long-delayed Navy Cross awarded sailor Alonzo Swann, to the flight-deck heroics of the various Air Groups attached to the carrier, to her peacetime extrication from the mud of the Hudson River.
A worthy tribute to the nation’s sea power, as well as all who served aboard the Intrepid.
November 10, 2019
Well, it is an epic story, but I question the author's proof of the claim he makes that "Intrepid" is America's most legendary warship. Just because it was an important participant in WWII and kept on fighting until Vietnam only shows that it was enduring but not necessarily legendary - and even I agree that it has a valiant story attached to its decks. But it is pretty well done and you should enjoy it if you have any interest in naval history of the USA.
August 16, 2018
I wanted to read about this ship, but I didn't know how distinctive its actions were. The book does not really have a preamble about how it came to be, it just starts. It is not only an interesting, but readable. I really did not want to put it down at times. I highly recommend this book, it tells a good interesting story, one that we can be proud.
May 12, 2018
This is an eye-opener. There was a lot of research that went into this book. The last quarter of the book is given to all the people who supported or gave interviews for the "Intrepid". I learned so much about aircraft-carriers. I highly recommend this book.
January 24, 2018
An incredible, true story of the ship that helped win WWII, was almost sunk, and lasted through Viet Nam.
June 6, 2018
Mirrors the history of a nation
August 3, 2018
Great history
I thoroughly enjoyed the history I l ear n ed from reading this book. Every man was a hero! Full of courage. But just men.
I thoroughly enjoyed the history I l ear n ed from reading this book. Every man was a hero! Full of courage. But just men.
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December 14, 2021Highlight of History
This was a great read, entertaining and enlightening at the same time. It has given me a better understanding of the Intrepid and the men who served on her.
This was a great read, entertaining and enlightening at the same time. It has given me a better understanding of the Intrepid and the men who served on her.
June 11, 2022
If you think that the USA is always the first to do things, always has the biggest and the best then ... this book is for you.
Some interesting bits to this book but I did get very tired of hearing how the biggest & best was always invented or built or was involved with by the USA.
There are lots of bits that look like they were extracted from sortie reports. The name of the pilot & or crew member ... who you never hear about again. Interesting stories but it's a bit like speed-reading sortie & incident reports.
I enjoyed the parts about the NASA recovery missions.
Overall tho' I found the American jingoism just a bit overpowering.
Some interesting bits to this book but I did get very tired of hearing how the biggest & best was always invented or built or was involved with by the USA.
There are lots of bits that look like they were extracted from sortie reports. The name of the pilot & or crew member ... who you never hear about again. Interesting stories but it's a bit like speed-reading sortie & incident reports.
I enjoyed the parts about the NASA recovery missions.
Overall tho' I found the American jingoism just a bit overpowering.
December 7, 2014
Excellent story about one of the U.S. Navy's most legendary warship.
Her service began in 1943 and sailed into harm's way around the globe. She fought in the Pacific--the Philippines, Okinawa, Formosa--and survived kamikaze and torpedo attacks, and then served as a Cold War attack carrier, a recovery ship for America's first astronauts, and a three-four combatant in Vietnam. The book contains first-hand accounts from survivors of Leyte Gulf, October 1944.
The book is a moving tribute complete with the personal recollections of those who served aboard her and includes photographs, time lines, maps, and vivid descriptions of Intrepid's deadly conflicts. The last chapters tell how Intrepid continues to serve as a major air and space museum in New York City.
It cost millions to attain. The men who made it possible have achieved a deserved fame of their own.
Her service began in 1943 and sailed into harm's way around the globe. She fought in the Pacific--the Philippines, Okinawa, Formosa--and survived kamikaze and torpedo attacks, and then served as a Cold War attack carrier, a recovery ship for America's first astronauts, and a three-four combatant in Vietnam. The book contains first-hand accounts from survivors of Leyte Gulf, October 1944.
The book is a moving tribute complete with the personal recollections of those who served aboard her and includes photographs, time lines, maps, and vivid descriptions of Intrepid's deadly conflicts. The last chapters tell how Intrepid continues to serve as a major air and space museum in New York City.
It cost millions to attain. The men who made it possible have achieved a deserved fame of their own.
October 22, 2010
A very readable account of one of America's greatest fighting ships. This is a very good overview of the Intrepid's long career including it's conversion into the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum. One interesting incident is her return to service in the aftermath of 9/11. The FBI's NY Bureau's headquarters at 7 World Trade Center was destroyed and Intrepid became the FBI-NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force emergency headquarters. Overall a very enjoyable read.
July 3, 2009
The life history of the aircraft carrier Intrepid. Definitely an interesting subject, but the book tends to under-develop stories of incidents and the last few chapters degrade into rah-rah for the ship and individuals who championed saving it.
June 12, 2009
For a book that's fairly light reading, I found it rather enjoyable. The title pretty much says it all - it's about the USS Intrepid from her launching to becoming a current-day museum in NYC.
August 24, 2009
Amazing story of the WW II carrier now in NYC
January 4, 2010
Excellent & moving - especially Zachary Fisher's bringing the warship to NYC.
May 3, 2015
Well written. Good story of a famous ship.
December 13, 2019
I believe this exciting new twist on the classic tale of the intrepid is best for people who don't like reading history often but they are interested in the Navy/World War 2.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews