USS Hornet - Sea, Air and Space Museum

06/02/2026

June 1944: TBM-1C Avenger from Torpedo Squadron 2 (VT-2) suffers a crash landing aboard USS Hornet (CV-12).

📸: US National Archives 80-G-367215

05/26/2026

📢 We will be closed to the Public for a Private Event May 29th, 30th and 31st.

If you would like to rent the Hornet as a venue, please reach out to us at:

Come aboard the USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum for an unforgettable event venue! With spaces for events from 30 people to 3,000, the historic aircraft carrier USS Hornet is a unique event space and backdrop for any event type including meetings, banquets, trade shows, product launches, team-buil...

05/25/2026

Memorial Day 2026 🇺🇸

05/23/2026

Please take a moment to honor the brave men & women of our Armed Forces that made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

We will always remember Hornet’s 193 Sailors, Pilots, Aircrew and 1 Marine that waved goodbye to their families at the pier and never returned home.

05/17/2026

40 years ago this week, Top Gun blasted into theaters and inspired generations of naval aviation fans. Catch the special re-release in theaters this week, then continue the experience in person aboard the USS Hornet Museum! 🎬

The Hornet is one of the only places where you can see an iconic F-14 Tomcat and F/A-18 Hornet displayed side-by-side aboard a historic aircraft carrier—bringing the legacy of naval aviation from the big screen to real life. ⚓️

🇺🇸 This Memorial Day 2026, come aboard to honor those who served, remember those who gave all, and celebrate the spirit of naval aviation.

📍 USS Hornet Museum
Alameda, California

🎟️ Plan your Memorial Day visit:
https://uss-hornet.org/event/memorial-day-2026/

05/12/2026

Please welcome back to the Hornet, Russell Leeman. He was an aircraft electrician with VS-35, and he is celebrating his 79th birthday this week!

05/11/2026

Are you a fan of NASA History? Come by for a tour sometime! 💫

05/10/2026

Shout out to Hornet volunteer Robert McNamara! For the past 13 years, Robert has served as a docent and master electrician aboard the ship, sharing his expertise and passion with visitors and fellow volunteers alike.

Robert served in the U.S. Navy from 1968–1974, beginning in Aviation Hydraulics before earning his wings as a helicopter rescue crewman aboard the H-34.

Currently, he’s helping restore and repair the Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System (FLOLS), preserving an important piece of naval aviation history for future generations.

Become a volunteer at: https://uss-hornet.org/volunteer/

05/08/2026

On April 23, representatives of the USS Hornet Museum joined Strike Fighter Squadron 115 (VFA-115) at Naval Air Station Lemoore for a special ceremony connecting today’s Navy aviators with the squadron’s World War II roots as Torpedo Squadron Eleven (VT-11).

CAPT David B. Ashworth, USN (ret), and filmmaker George Retelas presented an original scroll created at the formation of the squadron during WWII. The scroll contains the signatures of the squadron’s founding members before they deployed into combat flying the Grumman Avenger from Guadalcanal and USS Hornet (CV-12).

As the war progressed, stars were added beside the names of those who never returned. In total, 32 members of VT-11 were lost in service to their country.

Together, Ashworth and Retelas represented not only the Museum, but also a direct connection to the squadron’s wartime legacy. Ashworth’s father, Frederick L. Ashworth, led VT-11 into combat during World War II, while Retelas’ namesake grandfather created and safeguarded the scroll for decades. The story of VT-11 is also featured in the documentaries Eleven (2014) and Sundown to Eleven (2025), directed by the grandson of Retelas.

The ceremony also honored the squadron’s original “Little Butch” insignia, designed by Walt Disney Studios during WWII and still worn by the squadron every Thursday in remembrance of those who served before them.

U.S. Naval Air Forces 🇺🇸

05/07/2026

On Monday, May 4th, the Hornet Museum proudly celebrated the 102nd birthday of Alfred J. Payne — the last known survivor of USS Hornet (CV-8).

Surrounded by family, friends, veterans, and visitors, Mr. Payne helped officially open our new exhibit, honoring the legacy of USS Hornet CV-8 and the sailors who served aboard her during World War II. The exhibit features artifacts from CV-8 prior to her sinking in 1942, including a recently recovered fragment from Doolittle Raider plane #9, “Whirling Dervish.”

It was a truly special day aboard USS Hornet (CV-12), the carrier proudly named in honor of the ship that Mr. Payne served more than 80 years ago. Alfred was also joined by his great-granddaughter April who also celebrated her 6th birthday. Together they cut an aircraft carrier cake for everyone to enjoy. Thank you to everyone who joined us in the celebration!

Story: https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/05/04/a-wwii-hero-and-the-ship-on-which-he-served-honored-monday/ via The Mercury News

U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers U.S. Naval Air Forces