'U.S.S Bennington - CVA - 20' Vintage Souvenir Porcelain Ashtray

The Bennington was an Essex class (short-hull) Fleet Carrier with a displacement: 27,100 tons and her length: was 872' . She carried an Armament: 12 - 5"/38, 103 planes and a complement of 3448 personnel. She was built at New York Navy Yard and Launched 26 February 1944 and commissioned 6 August 1944 as CV-20. Taken out of commission in reserve at Norfolk 8 November 1946. Recommissioned 13 November 1952 as CVA-20 In May 1954 One of her catapults exploded whilst at the New York Naval Shipyard. She underwent repairs & complete rebuild from 12 June 1954 - 19 March 1955 In September 1955 she departed Mayport Fla., for the Pacific and re-designated as CVS-20 an ASW carrier 30 June 1959 Decommissioned 15 January 1970 Stricken 20 September 1989 Sold for scrap 12 January 1994. This Souvenir ashtray obviously relates to her period as CVA-20 between 1952 to late 1955 so is now over 50 years of age. The ashtray is 6" in diameter and is in close to Mint condition. Hand Painted, Arita, Japanese Porcelain,