EAWS - Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Naval Aviation History Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Who is recognized as the first U.S. Navy officer to be designated as a naval aviator?
- Eugene Ely
- Glenn Curtiss
- Theodore G. Ellyson (Correct answer)
- John H. Towers
Correct answer: Theodore G. Ellyson
Theodore G. 'Spuds' Ellyson was the first U.S. Navy officer designated as an aviator, bearing the title Naval Aviator No. 1. He began his flight training in 1910 under Glenn Curtiss.
Question 2: The USS Langley (CV-1), the first aircraft carrier of the U.S. Navy, was converted from what type of ship?
- A battleship
- A collier (Correct answer)
- A cruiser
- A destroyer
Correct answer: A collier
The USS Langley (CV-1) was commissioned in March 1922 after being converted from the collier USS Jupiter (AC-3). This conversion marked the birth of the U.S. Navy's carrier fleet.
Question 3: A junior sailor is studying for their EAWS board and is asked about the significance of the Battle of the Coral Sea. Which of the following statements is the most accurate description?
- It was the first naval battle where opposing fleets engaged each other with surface gunfire at close range.
- It was the decisive battle that led to the immediate surrender of Japanese forces in World War II.
- It was the first naval battle in history where the opposing ships never saw or fired directly upon one another. (Correct answer)
- It was exclusively fought by submarines and resulted in a tactical victory for the U.S. Navy.
Correct answer: It was the first naval battle in history where the opposing ships never saw or fired directly upon one another.
The Battle of the Coral Sea, fought in May 1942, was the first naval engagement in which the opposing fleets' ships never sighted or fired directly at each other. All attacks were carried out by carrier-launched aircraft.
Question 4: What U.S. Navy aircraft carrier served as the launch platform for the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo in April 1942?
- USS Enterprise (CV-6)
- USS Lexington (CV-2)
- USS Saratoga (CV-3)
- USS Hornet (CV-8) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: USS Hornet (CV-8)
On April 18, 1942, sixteen U.S. Army Air Forces B-25B Mitchell medium bombers, led by Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle, were launched from the deck of the USS Hornet (CV-8) to conduct a surprise raid on Tokyo.
Question 5: Which of the following events is considered a pivotal moment that halted the Japanese advance in the Pacific and was a strategic victory for the Allies, even though they lost more ships?
- The Attack on Pearl Harbor
- The Battle of Midway
- The Battle of the Coral Sea (Correct answer)
- The Battle of Guadalcanal
Correct answer: The Battle of the Coral Sea
The Battle of the Coral Sea is considered a strategic victory for the Allies because it stopped the planned Japanese invasion of Port Moresby, halting their southward advance for the first time, despite the U.S. losing the carrier USS Lexington. The damage to Japanese carriers prevented them from participating in the subsequent Battle of Midway.
Question 6: An Aviation Ordnanceman is preparing a presentation on naval aviation milestones. They need to identify the first ship specifically designed and constructed from the keel up as an aircraft carrier for the U.S. Navy. Which ship should they name?
- USS Langley (CV-1)
- USS Lexington (CV-2)
- USS Ranger (CV-4) (Correct answer)
- USS Enterprise (CV-6)
Correct answer: USS Ranger (CV-4)
While the USS Langley was the first aircraft carrier, it was a conversion. The USS Ranger (CV-4), whose keel was laid in 1931 and commissioned in 1934, was the first ship in the U.S. Navy to be designed and built from the hull up as an aircraft carrier.
EAWS - Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Naval Aviation History Questions and Answers
Who is recognized as the first U.S.
Navy officer to be designated as a naval aviator?