The first American air strikes of the Vietnam War - Operation Pierce Arrow - were launched from the carriers Ticonderoga (CVA 14) and Constellation (CVA 64) on 5 August 1964 in retaliation for the Tonkin Gulf incidents.  Cmdr. James Stockdale in his F-8 Crusader is depicted here spearheading the attack on the oil storage facilities at Vinh, NVN.