Initially named Bon Homme Richard after Captain John Paul Jones's Bonhomme Richard (note different spelling), in turn named to honor Benjamin Franklin. Renamed, 26 September 1942, in tribute to USS Yorktown (CV-5), lost three months earlier at the Battle of Midway, thus becoming the fourth US warship to bear the name of a town in Virginia, where the climactic battle of the American Revolution was fought in the autumn of 1781. The name Bon Homme Richard was subsequently assigned to CV-31.
Reconstructed to SCB-27A design by the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Work began in March 1951; recommissioned in February 1953.
Reclassified as an "Attack Aircraft Carrier" and redesignated CVA-10, 1 October 1952, while undergoing conversion.
Modernized with an angled flight deck, enclosed "hurricane" bow, etc. (project SCB-125) at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Placed "in commission, in reserve," 21 March 1955, and placed back in full commission on 14 October.
Reclassified as an "Antisubmarine Warfare Support Aircraft Carrier" and redesignated CVS-10, 1 September 1957.
Fate: Donated as a Museum and Memorial (status changed 15 August 1974). Turned over to the Patriots Point Development Authority of South Carolina on 8 May 1975, and formally dedicated as the first ship of the Naval and Maritime Museum at Patriots Point, Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, on 13 October 1975. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, ref. no. 82001519, and designated a National Historic Landmark on 14 January 1986.