.
    Rushing to the Adriatic due to the deteriorating situation in Bosnia, America joined Theodore Roosevelt on 9 September.  Both carriers continued air strikes against selected Bosnian Serb positions as part of NATO's Operation Deliberate Force.  Roosevelt was relieved on 12 September as CVW-1 continued selective strike missions with laser-guided bombs for two more days, at which time NATO declared a moratorium on air strikes.
    After dropping over 30 tons of ordnance, no further need of air strikes were called for, and America continued to patrol the Adriatic in between port visits.  Additional responsibilities however required her presence in the Persian Gulf from 25 November to 3 December for duty in support of Southern Watch.  Back off Bosnia on 12 December, USA operated in support of NATO's Implementation Force (IFOR) as part of Operations Decisive Endeavor and Decisive Edge for the remainder of her deployment.
    Three days out from Norfolk, on 21 February 1996, VS-32's Commander Robert A. Buehn piloted a S-3B to make America's 319,504th and final arrested landing in her well-traveled history.  The many who served on her and flew from her deck during 31 years of service to the nation can be justifiably proud.
    On Friday, 9 August 1996, a decommissioning ceremony was held for America, and her last deck log entry will occur on 30 September 1996 to officially end her active service.  America received eight battle stars for service during the Vietnam and Persian Gulf Wars.

*"Mike Weeks is a former Naval Reservist who has as a hobby, a keen interest in the history of carrier aviation.  In 1996 he was asked by the editors of NAVAL AVIATION NEWS magazine (published by the Naval Historical Center) if he'd be interested in writing a summary history of America(CV-66).  Gladly accepting, the resulting work was published in the September-October 1996 issue.  The history reproduced here is the original history submitted, and has a few more details which unfortunately were cut from the published work."