The Life of the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt

Donald Yates, a U.S. 20-year military veteran, has released another fine military periodical short read. Yates, the author of over 20 military history pictorials, has released his latest book, The Life of the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. Yates, who earlier published The Life of the USS Midway and The Life of the USS Coral Sea, takes the reader on a decade-by-decade tour of FDR’s history. The USS Roosevelt was the first carrier to have a jet aircraft successfully launch from it and also the first to have a jet successfully land on it. After commissioning in early 1945, the FDR missed World War 2 but eventually saw combat during the Vietnam War. The ship’s crew and aircraft performed thousands of bombing raids of North Vietnam during the war. The ship would ultimately earn the Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy E Ribbon with Battle "E" Device, Navy Expeditionary Medal with three stars, Navy Occupation Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal with star, Vietnam Service Medal with one star, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross) and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. This book will be an excellent addition to any military history buff’s library or a fine gift to a veteran sailor who served on the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt.