USS Nimitz CVN-68 Patch — The Original Supercarrier She set the standard that every nuclear carrier after her was built to match — USS Nimitz is the ship that defined an era. USS Nimitz (CVN-68) is the lead ship of the Nimitz class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and one of the most consequential warships in naval history. Commissioned in 1975, Nimitz was named after Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, the Commander in Chief of Pacific Forces during World War II. For nearly five decades, CVN-68 has served as the backbone of American carrier strike capability, deploying to every major theater of operations from the Iran hostage crisis to Operation Enduring Freedom. Her name became synonymous with American naval power, and the entire class of ten carriers bears her legacy. Perfect For: CVN-68 crew members and veterans, carrier aviation enthusiasts, naval history buffs, Pacific Fleet sailors, and Nimitz-class collectors. The ship that launched an era of carrier dominance.
