USS America CVA USS America CVA News

Passing of Edward J Pelletier Jr., CVA Founding Member

Thomas Tramantano — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 01:15:14 GMT

1 Apr 2026

Early this evening, ATN3, former President of the CVA, Edward J. Pelletier Jr., passed away. Ed penned the letter that was sent out to former crew members and signed by the undersigned eight, to form the CVA. He was the President of the CVA from 2000 to 2004. He continued as the CVA's Treasurer until 2016.

Recent years have found Ed in declining health. Since August of last year, he had been a resident of a New York Veterans home.

His Niece was with him today. He was awake and talking with her. She turned to rearrange some of his photos, and when she turned back, he was gone.

Ed and Dan O’Halloran were working on the By-Laws for the CVA when I was “just a member.” They asked me if I would like to help. I was no longer “just a member.” Ed was a mentor to me, as well as a very good friend.

https://www.sweetsfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Edward-J-Pelletier-Jr?obId=48030783

Tom Tramantano

Fair Winds and Following seas

Reunion 2026

Thomas Tramantano — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 23:05:09 GMT

Will be held in Charleston, SC
Hilton Garden Inn Charleston Airport & Convention Center
September 22 -26, 2026

Click HERE to reserve hotel reservations for CVA Reunion.

As details are confirmed, the Reunion 2026 page will be updated.

CVA Scholarship Application for 26-27 now posted

David Kenney — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 20:19:44 GMT

Good Afternoon Shipmates;

For those looking to apply for the CVA Sholarship for the 2026-2027 school year, the applicaiton to apply for it is currently posted on the scholarship page under the Members Only menu. You must log in first and then navigate to the Scholarship page and download the PDF from there. You can click the link below if you are already logged in and it will take you to the page.

CVA Scholarship

Best of luck to all the new applicants!

CVA Board of Directors

Scholarship Winners

Thomas Tramantano — Tue, 27 May 2025 00:39:11 GMT

We have our Scholarship winners for 2025.

Kayla Julie Jacob,

Grand Daughter of BMSN, Myron (Jake) Jacob, 1967-70.

Grace E. Fleshman,

Grand Daughter of LCDR Thomas Duke, VAW 124, 1972-73.

Congratulations to both of you, and best of luck in the future

Passing of Harry Rodriquez - CVA Former Board Member

David Kenney — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 14:43:26 GMT

Just before 10 pm on February 18, 2025, the CVA lost a Charter Member, and I lost a good friend.

Harry Rodriquez, ADJ3, VAH10, 1966-67, passed a few minutes before 10 tonight. Harry had a Kidney transplant this past summer. Everything seemed ok until late October. Some heart issues and then repeated infections.

Linda and their son Adam were there with him at the end.

One night thirty years ago, I came home to find a message on my "answering machine". Some voice yelling "Hi Tommy". And then talking about the America. I had no idea who it was or when he served onboard. But for the next thirty years, whenever we would call, or see each other. it was always, "Hi Tommy". I got the last one about two weeks ago in the ICU at our local VA Hosp.

Fair Winds and Following Seas My friend

Say Hi to Ray and save me a seat at the table.

Tom Tramantano Sr.

President

USS America Carrier Veteran's Assoc. Inc.

New York City Veteran's Day Parade

Thomas Tramantano — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 15:22:46 GMT

Great turnout for the parade

Veterans Day 2022

Thomas Tramantano — Sat, 12 Nov 2022 14:56:04 GMT

It was a little wet this year on Fifth Ave in NYC

Plaques

Thomas Tramantano — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 19:00:00 GMT

PLANKOWNER AND CREWMEMBER PLAQUES

These Plaques are available to Plankowners and Former Crewmembers of the USS AMERICA,

who are members of the CVA.

The Plaques feature the ship name USS America CVA 66 and Plankowner or Crewmember engravings.

The Steel is from elevator #2 of the USS America.

To order your plaque, contact Tom Tramantano, President

mailto:tomato46@aol.com

New Photos of the America being towed out of Philadelphia

Robert Ranieri — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 18:08:05 GMT

Special thanks to Geoffrey McDermott for supplying the photos that were once lost with the website crash. Please visit HERE to view the images