USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) 1988 Cruise Sweatshirt

The 1988 deployment of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) came in the closing years of the Cold War, as the Soviet Union was showing signs of transformation but American naval strategy still demanded full forward presence in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. This was also the year of Operation Praying Mantis — the largest American naval surface battle since World War II, fought in April 1988 against Iranian forces in the Persian Gulf. Though Ike's cruise focused on the Mediterranean, the fleet-wide operational tempo was high, and the professionalism of carrier sailors in this period helped bring the Cold War to a peaceful end.

• 50% cotton, 50% polyester
• Pre-shrunk fabric
• Air-jet spun yarn for a softer feel
• Double-needle stitching throughout