Alright, folks, let’s dive into this little project I tackled: getting my hands on the crew list for the USS Constellation (CV-64). I’ve always been a bit of a history buff, especially when it comes to naval stuff, and the “Connie” has always fascinated me.
The Hunt Begins
So, I started where anyone would – good ol’ Google. I typed in “USS Constellation CV-64 crew list,” and, well, I got a lot of noise. Lots of general info about the ship, some historical documents, but nothing that looked like a straight-up crew list. It was a mess.
Digging Deeper
I figured I needed to get more specific. I tried different search terms, like “USS Constellation CV-64 muster rolls” and “USS Constellation CV-64 personnel records.” I was basically throwing spaghetti at the wall, hoping something would stick. I spent a good couple of hours just sifting through search results.
The Roadblock
It became pretty clear pretty quickly that finding a complete, easily accessible crew list for a decommissioned aircraft carrier wasn’t going to be a walk in the park. I mean, we’re talking about potentially thousands of names, and privacy concerns, and who knows what else. It started feeling like a long shot.
Changing Tack
I decided I might have better luck focusing on specific deployments or time periods. Instead of trying to find the entire crew list, I thought maybe I could find smaller lists, like for a particular cruise or operation. So I started searching for things like “USS Constellation Vietnam War crew” or “USS Constellation 1970s deployment.”
Small Victories?
This approach was slightly more fruitful. I found some websites dedicated to specific deployments, and some had partial lists, or at least mentions of certain crew members. It wasn’t the motherlode, but it was something. It was like putting together a puzzle, one tiny piece at a time.
Where I’m At
Honestly, I’m still working on it. This isn’t a one-day project. It’s more like an ongoing quest. I’m learning a lot about the ship and its history, even if I haven’t found that perfect, complete crew list yet. I’m checking out some online forums and communities dedicated to naval history – maybe someone there has some leads. I might even try contacting some veterans’ organizations.
It’s definitely been a challenge, more so than I initially expected. But hey, that’s part of the fun, right? The thrill of the chase!
