Apr 30, 1990 - Three sailors march across the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43) during the decommissioning ceremony. The Coral Sea is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.

Apr 30, 1990 - Guests await the start of the decommissioning ceremony for the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43). The Coral SEa is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.

Apr 30, 1990 - An aerobatic team passes over the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43) during the ship's decommissioning ceremony. The Coral Sea is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.

Apr 30, 1990 - Bunting and a flag adorn the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43) during the decommissioning ceremony. The Coral Sea is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.

Apr 30, 1990 - Crew members watch the activities during the decommissioning ceremony for the aircraft carrier USS CORAL SEA (CV 43). The CORAL SEA is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.

Apr 30, 1990 - Crew members file down the gangway during the decommissioning ceremony for the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43). The Coral Sea is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.

Apr 30, 1990 - A Strike Fighter Squadron 132 (VFA-132) F/A-18A Hornet aircraft is displayed on the pier prior to the decommissioning ceremony for the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43). The Coral Sea is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.

Apr 30, 1990 - An aerial view of the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43) tied up to the pier during its decommissioning ceremony. The Coral Sea is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.

Apr 30, 1990 - Sailors stand behind the bunting hung on an elevator aboard the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43) prior to the start of the ship's decommissioning ceremony. The Coral Sea is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.

Apr 30, 1990 - Sailors stand behind the bunting hung on an elevator aboard the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43) prior to the start of the ship's decommissioning ceremony. The Coral Sea is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.

Apr 30, 1990 - Side boys salute as an unidentified flag officer arrives to take part in the decommissioning ceremony for the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43). The Coral Sea is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.

Apr 30, 1990 - A diamond formation of F/A-18 Hornet aircraft and A-6E Intruder aircraft passes over the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43) during the ship's decommissioning ceremony. The Coral Sea is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.

Apr 30, 1990 - An aerial view of the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43) tied up to the pier during its decommissioning ceremony. The Coral Sea is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.

Apr 30, 1990 - Sailors stand along the pier in front of the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43) prior to the ship's decommissioning ceremony. The Coral Sea is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.

Apr 30, 1990 - Side boys stand by for the arrival of ranking officers and other guests who will be seated on the speakers plateform during the decommissioning ceremony for the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43). The Coral Sea is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.

Apr 30, 1990 - A child wearing a sailor suit plays on the pier prior to the start of the decommissioning ceremony for the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43). The Coral Sea is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.

Apr 30, 1990 - Crew members watch activities from beneath the bridge of the aircraft carrier USS CORAL SEA (CV 43) during the ship's decommissioning ceremony. The CORAL SEA is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.

Apr 30, 1990 - A Strike Fighter Squadron 132 (VFA-132) F/A-18A Hornet aircraft is displayed on the pier prior to the decommissioning ceremony for the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43). The Coral Sea is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.

Apr 30, 1990 - A family crosses the pier to the start of the decommissioning ceremony for the aircraft carrier USS CORAL SEA (CV 43). The CORAL SEA is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.

Apr 30, 1990 - Sailors man the rails along the edge of the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43) during the ship's decommissioning ceremony. The Coral Sea is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.

Apr 30, 1990 - A Strike Fighter Squadron 132 (VFA-132) F/A-18A Hornet aircraft is displayed on the pier prior to the decommissioning ceremony for the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43). The Coral Sea is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.

Apr 30, 1990 - A child wearing a sailor suit plays on the pier prior to the start of the decommissioning ceremony for the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43). The Coral Sea is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.

Apr 30, 1990 - An aerial view of the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43) tied up to the pier during its decommissioning ceremony. The Coral Sea is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.

Apr 30, 1990 - A chief petty officer and an enlisted crewman from the aircraft carrier USS MIDWAY (CV-41) render hand salutes at the decommissioning ceremony for the 47 years old veteran ship. The only carrier to come close to such lengthy service was the CORAL SEA (CV-43) with just two less years service. The MIDWAY class ships were constructed late in World War II as battle carriers (CVB) with armored flight decks to withstand Kamikaze attacks. The war ended just as MIDWAY was first commissioned on 10 Sept. 1945.

Apr 30, 1990 - A dignitary speaks to guests at the decommissioning ceremony for the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43). The Coral Sea is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.

Apr 30, 1990 - The crew of the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43) leaves the ship for the last time. The Coral Sea is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.

Apr 30, 1990 - Nice shot of the ship as she sits in Norfolk for the decommissioning ceremony. Note the Golden anchors. The Coral Sea is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.

Apr 30, 1990 - A view of the hanger deck on the day of decommissioning. The Coral Sea is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.

Apr 30, 1990 - Nice shot of the ship as she sits in Norfolk for the decommissioning ceremony. The Coral Sea is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.

Apr 30, 1990 - Nice shot of the ship as she sits in Norfolk for the decommissioning ceremony. The Coral Sea is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.

Apr 30, 1990 - Nice shot of the ship as she sits in Norfolk for the decommissioning ceremony. The Coral Sea is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.

Apr 30, 1990 -

Apr 30, 1990 - Decommissioning Guest Pass. The Coral Sea is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.

Apr 30, 1990 - Decommissioning ceremony invitation. The Coral Sea is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.

Apr 30, 1990 - Decommissioning ceremony base map. The Coral Sea is being decommissioned after nearly 43 years of service.