1951: The USS Forrestal, the world's first aircraft carrier built after World War II, is authorized in the Fiscal Year '52 new construction program.

Oct. 1, 1952:
Reclassified from large aircraft carrier to attack aircraft carrier to reflect its purpose.
Dec. 11, 1954:
Launched at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company. Newports News, Va., under the sponsorship of Josephine Ogden Forrestal, widow of its namesake, the nation's first Secretary of Defense James V. Forrestal.
Oct. 1, 1955:
Commissioned and sent on a shakedown cruise.
1956:
Called to bolster U.S. Navy forces in the Mediterranean during the Suez Crisis, when Egypt acts to nationalize the international canal. Israel invades the Sinal Pennisula and Britain and France drop bombs and land troops after their cease-fire appeal is ignored. A U.N. cease-fire halts fighting on Nov. 7, 1956.
Feb. 15, 1957:
Leaves Norfolk, Va., for the Mediterranean Sea on its first formal deployment.
1958-1966:
Six deployments with the Second Fleet in the Atlantic Ocean and the Sixth Fleet in the Mediteranean.
June 6, 1967:
Deployed with Seventh Fleet in the western Pacific Ocean.

July 25, 1967:
Begins combat operations at Yankee Station, in the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of Vietnam.
July 29, 1967:
While preparing for the second strike of the day against the North Vietnamese, ordnance explosions on the flight deck and ensuing fires claim the lives of 134 crewmen, destroy or damage many aircraft and threaten to sink the ship. Returns to Norfolk for repairs.
1968-1973:
Rejoins fleet for several Mediteranean deployments.
March, 1973:
Aids rescue operations in the flooded Medjerda River Valley near Tunis, Tunisia, transporting victims and delivering food, water and medical supplies.
June 30, 1975:
Redesigned as aircraft carrier.
July, 1976:
Host ship for the International Naval Review in New York City during the United States Bicentennial celebration. More than 40 Tall Ships from many nations pass in review.
1981:
Ordered to 17th major deployment - the 16th to the Mediteranean. Aircraft from Forrestal's deck make more than 60 percent of the intercepts of Libyan planes during the Syria-Israel missile crisis. Participates in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's Ocean Venture '81, operating above the Artic Circle.
November, 1982
At Naval Station, Mayport, in Florida, preparations begin for the ship's scheduled $550 million Service Life Extension Program stay at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.
1983-1985:
Work to refurbish the carrier and upgrade its weaponry begins in January, 1983 and is completed May 20, 1985.
1988:
Deployed in April to the Middle East, operating in the Red Sea, North Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman before returning to Mayport.
May 30, 1991:
Leaves Mayport on what will be the 22nd and final overseas operational deployment. Serves as support for Operation Provide Comfort, which supplies and protects the kurds in northern Iraq as they withstand Saddam Hussein's military advances. Deployment ends Dec. 21, 1991.
1992:
Moves to Pensacola Naval Air Station in February, then reports to Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in September for a 14-month overhaul.
1993:
Work is halted and the ship is decommissioned effective Sept. 30, 1993, in response to budget goals.
1999:
Now moored at Naval Station, Newport, R.I.