DefenseUS Navy
A Japanese bomb explodes off the port side of the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Enterprise during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, October 26, 1942.
The USS Enterprise (CV-6) was the most decorated US Navy ship in World War II, receiving a Presidential Unit Citation, a Navy Unit Commendation, and 20 Battle Stars.
Commissioned in 1938, the Enterprise took part in several naval battles, such as the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
Throughout its service in World War II, the Enterprise was struck several times - but the Big E just wouldn't die.
In fact, on three separate occasions, the Japanese mistakenly thought they had sunk the Enterprise and announced it had gone down, inspiring one of the ship's many nicknames, The Grey Ghost.
Check out the photos below of the Enterprise's amazing survival.