The John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) is the second ship in Gerald R. Ford-class of U.S. Navy nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and the second aircraft carrier named after the 35th President of the United States, John Fitzgerald Kennedy (1917-1963). As Lieutenant j.g., he commanded a Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron in the Pacific during World War II. His torpedo patrol boat, PT-109, was rammed and cut in half by a Japanese destroyer during a night patrol on Aug. 2, 1943. Although suffering a serious back injury that plagued him the rest of his life, Kennedy helped his crew get to safety. For his actions, he earned the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, among other citations.

January 15, 2009 Northrop Grumman Corporation received a $374 million contract award for construction preparation of the CVN 79; An additional $323.6 million contract extension was awarded on Dec. 8, 2010.

Advanced construction began on February 25, 2011, with a "first cut of steel" ceremony at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding; The ship is named on May 29.

August 11, Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), Inc. received a $56.5 million contract modification, under a previously awarded contract, for continuation of long lead time material procurement associated with construction of the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy; Additional $113 million contract extension was awarded on Dec. 21; Additional $43.4 million contract extension was awarded on July 17, 2012; Additional $296 million contract extension was awarded on Sept. 27; Additional $407 million contract extension was awarded on March 22, 2013.

May 6, 2013 HII announced today that its Newport News Shipbuilding division has received an increase of $60.8 million to a previously awarded construction preparation contract for purchase of materials in support of CVN 79 construction; Additional $1.29 billion contract extension was awarded on March 4, 2014.

June 5, 2015 Huntington Ingalls Industries was awarded a $3.35 billion contract for all remaining detail design and construction (DD&C) efforts for aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy. The company also received a $941 million modification to an existing construction preparation contract (N00024-09-C-2116) to continue material procurement and manufacturing in support of the ship. Work is expected to be completed by June 2022.

August 22, The keel laying and authentication ceremony for the CVN 79 was held at Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding shipyard in Newport News, Virginia.

June 22, 2017 HII Newport News Shipbuilding reached a construction milestone by placing the 932-metric-ton lower stern on the John F. Kennedy, structurally completing the 50 percent of the ship. It consists of 30 individual units and includes the ship’s rudders, steering gear rooms and electrical power distribution room.

May 29, 2019 HII Newport News Shipbuilding completed a significant milestone with the installation of the 588-metric ton island.

December 7, The Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) John F. Kennedy was christened during an 11 a.m. EST ceremony at HII Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia. Ms. Caroline B. Kennedy, daughter of the ship's namesake, served as sponsor. Capt. Todd R. Marzano is the prospective commanding officer.

December 16, PCU John F. Kennedy was launched for the first time from Dry Dock #12 and moored at Pier 3 on Newport News shipyard.

November 2, 2020 HII Newport News Shipbuilding was awarded a $284,3 million modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-15-C-2114) and $30,7 million modification to contract (N00024-09-C-2116), for the accomplishment of CVN 79 single phase delivery and Joint Strike Fighter (F-35C) capabilities. Work is expected to be completed by June 2024; Another $115 million modification was awarded on May 12, 2021.

May 6, 2022 Capt. Colin P. Day relieved Capt. Todd R. Marzano as CO of the John F. Kennedy during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship.

June 23, 2023 HII Newport News Shipbuilding was awarded a $274 million modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-15-C-2114) and $119,2 million modification to contract (N00024-09-C-2116), to improve capability at ship delivery, define unpriced change orders and for additional engineering and integrated logistics support for PCU John F. Kennedy. Work is expected to be completed by July 31, 2025.

September 20, 2024 Capt. Douglas M. Langenberg relieved Capt. Colin P. Day as the 3rd CO of John F. Kennedy during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship.