Live just a couple hours away from The Blue Ghost, I've visited several times and love to tell people visiting the rich history of this carrier. Plan to go back again in a few weeks with my cousins kids who are homeschooled. They are in the process of learning about ww2. So i though this would give them jusy a small taste of what history really looks like. Solidify that which seems like just a legend
Was there a cpo Sharkey when you were on board? I commented that we got a private tour by a crewman in Ft.lauderdale around that time. My greatgrandfather wanted to see it before he went back to Norway. Thanks if you get this.
The Blue Ghost definitely more than lived up to her namesake's reputation. And when you put it that way, CV-16 honoring both CV-2 and Des Moines (via the transferred gun mounts) does warm the heart.
I was trained to land on this carrier. My first carrier qual in the T-2 Buckeye. I was a little surprised how close the one wire was to the stern. I was proud to land on the blue Ghost. My next carrier was the former Essex Class Corral Sea in the TA-4, then my fleet assigned carriers Kitty Hawk Class Constellation, Forrestal Class Ranger and Forrestal then CVN ROOSEVELT and through out my carrier numerous traps on other carriers. These were all with the F-14 except for Lexington and Corral sea. Your presentation was most enjoyable and well done. Thank you.
i do work on north beach where the lexington is located, its awsome being able to step outside or look around a corner and boom theres a badass ship in front of you one of my favorite things about corpus
As someone who lives in Texas and visits Corpus Christi every few summers, visiting the Lexington is my tradition. I've been on her many times before, seen almost every section of the museum, but she never fails to bring that sense of childlike wonder. I also have yet to do a Ghost Tour, so that'll be interesting!
I proudly served aboard her from 1980 - 1983 as an Air Traffic Controller using the oldest technology the fleet had to offer. Many great memories continue to this day and was able to take my Granddaughter on a tour of her 2 years ago. I was lost the moment we entered the "O" levels of her structure.
It can’t be a coincidence that three of the four preserved Essexes carry the names of carriers sunk in 1942. I grew up in the more or less in shadow of CV-10, and there was definitely some conflating of CV-5 and CV-10 that happened in the community.
I remember when I was younger mistaking those carriers for their namesakes, and thinking that the US had somehow managed to save or recover them, prior to realizing that they were seperate ships altogether.
My Dad was a pilot off her July 1945 earning the Navy Cross. Then when she was redesigned in 1955 with an angled deck he was selected as Air Officer on her first Cruise. Miss you Dad.
Every student Naval Aviator from the 50's to the '90s has a warm spot in their heart for the "Lady Lex" or "The Blue Ghost". I am no exception getting my first arrested landing in a T-28C in September, 1966. At the time the prop carrier training squadron in Basic Flight Training was in VT-5 out of NAS Saufly just NW of Pensacola. We all got two arrested landings, the first of many for most of us. When we all gathered back in the ready room, one of the flight asked if we saw all the people up on the island, another commented "what island". Essex class carriers have an observation platform on the O-7 level (flight deck is O-3), the hanger deck is the main deck (aka first deck). Decks above the main decks are preceded by an "O". The nick name for the observation platform (as I found out when aboard the USS Randolph (CVS-15) was "buzzards roost" for it was a good spot for any member of the crew to watch the landings and deck operations. Most of us never looked at the island, even if we were in the right seat of the S-2 (2 aviators). The concentration was on the glide slope and the landing area. While the the T-28 we had some room between the stall speed and the landing speed, in the S-2E we did not - landing speed was 95 knots, stall speed was 95 knots. Most ASW aviators had to car qual 5 time. First in the T-28, then in the TS-2A (both quals on the Lexington). Then in the Replacement Air Group (RAG) Squadron (VS-31 in the Atlantic) and the both day and night quals in our home squadron. You would never get in the left seat of an S-2 at sea until you had completed the home squadron. Carrier operations are noted as the most dangerous job, and the best way to survive is to practice, practice, and practice.
I had a good friend that served on cv-9 & cv-16 , 20 years in the usn. worked another 19 years for city gov died of cancer before he got to enjoy his retirements. Live today tomorrow may never come.
I served on the Lex from ‘75 to ‘76. We went through a number of hurricanes but always came out k. On one trip coming back from Corpus, we retrieved oil platform life boats that had capsized. 11 people on the capsized boat did not survived the launching of the life boat.
I served on the Lex from 73 to 76, I got on board when she was in Mobile for a refit, we would routinely go out and conduct flight ops, a week in the Pensacola area and I believe two weeks in the Corpus Christie area. "Training Pilots for the Fleet".
It was my privilege to serve on her in 1976-77 as part of a RAG squadron - a training outfit for the Grumman A6E Intruder. We'd go onboard for 1 week mini-cruises around the Gulf of Mexico.
I have Admiral Felix B. Stump's 3 star pin and his wings while on board the ship. They came with a letter typed and written by him in 1970, shortly before his death. They are one of the prides of my collection.
I'll always be angry at the Navy for NOT preserving CV6, the most decorated US ship in history, and CVN65, the first nuclear powered carrier in the world
After the USS Hornet (CV-8) was sunk, he was assigned to the USS Lexington (CV-16). In addition to the Battle of Santa Cruz, he also saw action at the Battle of Midway, the Battle of the Philippine Sea, as well as attacks on Japanese installations at Truk Lagoon, Hollandia, Palau, Wake Island, Wolei, the Marshall Islands, and the Caroline Islands. He was awarded the Navy Cross, the Silver Star, 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and 2 Air Medals.
My father joined the Lexington in January of '44 as one of her air officers and finished up the war on her. He was in flight deck control when they took a kamikaze to the island. There are videos of the event floating around on youtube. Talk about a close shave.
In addition to carrying a larger air group, the new design possessed a greatly enhanced anti-aircraft armament. Designated the Essex-class, the lead ship, USS Essex (CV-9), was laid down in April 1941. This was followed by USS Cabot (CV-16) which was laid down on July 15, 1941 at Bethlehem Steel's Fore River Ship in Quincy, MA. Over the next year, the carrier's hull took shape as the US entered World War II following the attack on Pearl Harbor. On June 16, 1942, Cabot's name was changed to Lexington to honor the carrier of the same name (CV-2) which had been lost the previous month at the Battle of the Coral Sea. Launched on September 23, 1942, Lexington slid into the water with Helen Roosevelt Robinson serving as sponsor. Needed for combat operations, workers pushed to complete the ship and it entered commission on February 17, 1943, with Captain Felix Stump in command. Arriving in the Pacific Steaming south, Lexington conducted a shakedown and training cruise in the Caribbean. During this period, it suffered a notable casualty when the F4F Wildcat flown by 1939 Heisman Trophy winner Nile Kinnick crashed off the coast of Venezuela on June 2. After returning to Boston for maintenance, Lexington departed for the Pacific. Passing through the Panama Canal, it arrived at Pearl Harbor on August 9. Moving to the war zone, the carrier conducted raids against Tarawa and Wake Island in September. Returning to the Gilberts in November, Lexington's aircraft supported the landings on Tarawa between November 19 and 24 as well as mounted raids against Japanese bases in the Marshall Islands. Continuing to operate against the Marshalls, the carrier's planes struck Kwajalein on December 4 where they sank a cargo ship and damaged two cruisers. At 11:22 PM that night, Lexington came under attack by Japanese torpedo bombers. Though taking evasive maneuvers, the carrier sustained a torpedo hit on the starboard side which disabled the ship's steering. Working quickly, damage control parties contained the resulting fires and devised a temporary steering system. Withdrawing, Lexington made for Pearl Harbor before proceeding on to Bremerton, WA for repairs. It reached Puget Sound Navy Yard on December 22. In the first of several instances, the Japanese believed the carrier to have been sunk. Its frequent reappearance in combat coupled with its blue camouflage scheme earned Lexington the nickname "The Blue Ghost." Return to Combat Fully repaired on February 20, 1944, Lexington joined Vice Admiral Marc Mitscher's Fast Carrier Task Force (TF58) at Majuro in early March. Taken by Mitscher as his flagship, the carrier raided Mili Atoll before moving south to support General Douglas MacArthur's campaign in northern New Guinea. Following a raid on Truk on April 28, the Japanese again believed the carrier to have been sunk. Moving north to the Marianas, Mitscher's carriers next began reducing Japanese air power in the islands prior to the landings on Saipan in June. On June 19-20, Lexington took part in the victory at the Battle of the Philippine Sea which saw American pilots win the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot" in the sky while sinking a Japanese carrier and damaging several other warships. Battle of Leyte Gulf Later in the summer, Lexington supported the invasion of Guam before raiding the Palaus and Bonins. After striking targets in the Caroline Islands in September, the carrier commenced attacks against the Philippines in preparation for the Allied return to the archipelago. In October, Mitscher's task force moved to cover MacArthur's landings on Leyte. With the beginning of the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Lexington's aircraft aided in sinking the battleship Musashi on October 24. The next day, its pilots contributed to the destruction of the light carrier Chitose and received sole credit for sinking the fleet carrier Zuikaku. Raids later in the day saw Lexington's planes aid in eliminating the light carrier Zuiho and the cruiser Nachi. On the afternoon of October 25, Lexington sustained a hit from a kamikaze which struck near the island. Though this structure was badly damaged, it did not severely hamper combat operations. In the course of the engagement, the carrier's gunners downed another kamikaze that had targeted USS Ticonderoga (CV-14). Repaired at Ulithi after the battle, Lexington spent December and January 1945 raiding Luzon and Formosa before entering the South China Sea to strike at Indochina and Hong Kong. Hitting Formosa again in late January, Mitscher then attacked Okinawa. After replenishing at Ulithi, Lexington and its consorts moved north and commenced attacks on Japan in February. Late in the month, the carrier's aircraft supported the invasion of Iwo Jima before the ship departed for an overhaul at Puget Sound. Final Campaigns Rejoining the fleet on May 22, Lexington formed part of Rear Admiral Thomas L. Sprague's task force off Leyte. Steaming north, Sprague mounted attacks against airfields on Honshu and Hokkaido, industrial targets around Tokyo, as well as the remnants of the Japanese fleet at Kure and Yokosuka. These efforts continued until mid-August when Lexington's final raid received orders to jettison its bombs due to the Japanese surrender. With the end of the conflict, the carrier's aircraft commenced patrols over Japan before taking part in Operation Magic Carpet to return American servicemen home. With the reduction in fleet strength after the war, Lexington was decommissioned on April 23, 1947 and placed in the National Defense Reserve Fleet at Puget Sound.
I visited Lex as part of my official duties in the later 80s. It was cool to still see the ductwork for passing 5-inch ammunition up from the magazines still in place in the messing spaces.
My great grandfather was going back to Norway in the late 70s from Ft.lauderdale and wanted to see the lexington. My rather good looking aunt talked a cpo into giving us a tour after tours were over, we were late. I was about 10 or 11 and he let me climb up and look into a jet on the deck. Wish I remembered his name to thank him here. I think it was Sharkey but I also think that was a tv show character. He was a wealth of info and my great grandfather nor me ever forgot the tour.
5:05. Between that point till just after Leyte Gulf. She would be assigned to Task Group 58/38.3 and would be Vice Admiral Marc Mitscher’s flagship. So flagship of Task Force 58/38. I suspect that because of the torpedo damage. Her Air Group 16 didn’t finish up their allotted deployment time. Hence by the time of the Battle of the Philippine Sea. She was the one of 2.5 carriers still using the SBD Dauntless. In addition to five plane reconnaissance section aboard USS Yorktown (CV-10) and Air Group 10 aboard USS Enterprise. After the Turkey shoot and the June 20 strike. Both COs of VB-10 and VB-16 gave their reports to Mitscher. Who, in part, wanted to hear the performance of the two operating Dauntless squadrons. Compared to the Helldivers being used by the rest of the fleet. Especially as anywhere between none and 4 Dauntlesses were lost in the mass ditching on the night of June 20 compared to 43 Helldivers. Mitscher was considering re-equipping the carriers with the older Dive Bomber. Though logistics and the newer -3 Helldiver put an end to that plan. 6:47 I suspect that’s because there were only so many times that Tokyo Rose could say, “Enterprise was sunk.” Speaking of the Grey and Blue Ghosts. The two carriers would serve quite closely during this point of the War. Enterprise served as the flagship for Task Group 58.3 between April and July 1944. Later the two would serve in Task Group 38.2 during the Luzon and Mindoro Landings and the South China Sea Raid. Finally, Task Group 58.2 for the Tokyo Raid and the Battle of Iwo Jima. When the Big E wasn't detached for her night operations in Task Group 38/58.5. Finally, on 22 November 1944. Enterprise needs to return to Pearl Harbour for her conversion to night operations. She switched her Air Group 20, which had 3 more months left on its deployment. With Lexington’s Air Group 19, which was finishing its Deployment. The switch had taken place at Ulithi. As a bit of a joke, when Air Group 20 arrived on Lexington. They handed a letter from Enterprise. Which warned Lexington about “what kind of knuckleheads she’s in for.” She was also willing to trade Rear Admiral Davison and his staff for a spare belly tank.
The helldivers were absolutely terrible. You look at their service life after 1945 and there is none to speak of. I understand the goal of the specification that they'll divert was built to but the hell diver was just a terrible design. Too many compromises were made to get that much airplane to fit on an elevator. It had stability issues, it also had an early problem with the tail breaking loose when in a dive. The numerous other problems along with handling just made it an unpopular aircraft. You look at the sb2c, son-of-a-bitch second class, then look at the dauntless if you compare them one looks like a plane that's ready to fly and one makes you scratch your head.
@@JohnRodriguesPhotographer the exterior was USS Enterprise CVN-65 and the interior was USS Ranger CV-61. She did impersonate the Yorktowns. Specifically in Yorktown in Midway (1975). Enterprise in a tv show called War and Remembrance and Hornet in Pearl Harbour. Where she was also used as a stand in for the Kido Butai.
Technically, she's "sunk" right now. By us. Don't worry - she's intact. To secure her in her "berth" in Corpus, they dredged a ditch for her, towed her into position, and filled her with ballast until she was snugged down tightly against the bottom. This makes her virtually hurricane-proof. I've been visiting her since the mid 90s and the museum staff tells me that, even after Hurricane Harvey, she hasn't budged an inch. The Blue Ghost has been visited by 8 million people since she became a museum ship, is as tough as ever, and will likely be visited by many millions more over the decades to come. Support your local museum ships, people! It's the least we can do to honor those who served aboard them.
I was a ROTC 17 year old back in 1983 and went on the lexington for three weeks we went from one port in Florida out to sea and back to a differant port in Florida the first thing that was strange to me was there was a yellow VW bug on the deck it was the Captians car and they shot it off with the catapalt to be a reaf for fish that was cool to see. The Ship was being used to train Marine pilot's on take off and landing's I loved it the ship still had the war damage in place's from air attack's in WW2 I Honor the history and all who served on this great Ship
Flight Crew Chief Vern A. Prather, a Mustang to Ensign, and Bronze Star with Combat V, saving many Hellcat Fighters and Flight Crews. in the Marshall Island and first battle of the Phillipine Sea.
Very good video. But my question is, how did she end up getting launched so much quicker than all the other Essex's (CV 9-15)? I just looked. They were all ordered at the same time (Sept 1940). But 9-15 were all actually laid down almost a year AFTER 16. Why?
Yeah, three times, Tokyo Rose, a prominent radio host, had to do a double take the first time she read the Name "Lexington" again. Japan's moral would start coming into question when it was reported that she was destroyed again. She's named the blue ghost for a reason, and she wore it beautifully
I visited The Lexington in 2006. I felt humbled to walk the same decks that some of our greatest American hero’s walked on, ran on and died on.
Live just a couple hours away from The Blue Ghost, I've visited several times and love to tell people visiting the rich history of this carrier. Plan to go back again in a few weeks with my cousins kids who are homeschooled. They are in the process of learning about ww2. So i though this would give them jusy a small taste of what history really looks like. Solidify that which seems like just a legend
I was a crewmember onboard the Lexington from 1976 to 1978 in the Auxillaries Division, "Diesel Gang". One of my favorite ships to have served on.
Was there a cpo Sharkey when you were on board? I commented that we got a private tour by a crewman in Ft.lauderdale around that time. My greatgrandfather wanted to see it before he went back to Norway. Thanks if you get this.
@@knutbaardsen6437 I think you are thinking about tv, Sharkey was the CPO on Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea tv show, LOL!
The Blue Ghost definitely more than lived up to her namesake's reputation. And when you put it that way, CV-16 honoring both CV-2 and Des Moines (via the transferred gun mounts) does warm the heart.
I was trained to land on this carrier. My first carrier qual in the T-2 Buckeye. I was a little surprised how close the one wire was to the stern. I was proud to land on the blue Ghost. My next carrier was the former Essex Class Corral Sea in the TA-4, then my fleet assigned carriers Kitty Hawk Class Constellation, Forrestal Class Ranger and Forrestal then CVN ROOSEVELT and through out my carrier numerous traps on other carriers. These were all with the F-14 except for Lexington and Corral sea.
Your presentation was most enjoyable and well done. Thank you.
i do work on north beach where the lexington is located, its awsome being able to step outside or look around a corner and boom theres a badass ship in front of you one of my favorite things about corpus
As someone who lives in Texas and visits Corpus Christi every few summers, visiting the Lexington is my tradition. I've been on her many times before, seen almost every section of the museum, but she never fails to bring that sense of childlike wonder. I also have yet to do a Ghost Tour, so that'll be interesting!
Toured it today. A solemn experience. I appreciate my Freedom and all Sailors more and more.
I've had the honor of touring this ship stem to stern, top to bottom, very impressive!
I proudly served aboard her from 1980 - 1983 as an Air Traffic Controller using the oldest technology the fleet had to offer. Many great memories continue to this day and was able to take my Granddaughter on a tour of her 2 years ago. I was lost the moment we entered the "O" levels of her structure.
It can’t be a coincidence that three of the four preserved Essexes carry the names of carriers sunk in 1942. I grew up in the more or less in shadow of CV-10, and there was definitely some conflating of CV-5 and CV-10 that happened in the community.
Not like conflating wasn't
Intended. ?
I remember when I was younger mistaking those carriers for their namesakes, and thinking that the US had somehow managed to save or recover them, prior to realizing that they were seperate ships altogether.
Loved cv5 and admiral fletcher
Beautiful, beautiful photo at 13:55, with the setting sun reflecting off the flight deck and brilliant blue tones at the borders. How apt…
My Dad was a pilot off her July 1945 earning the Navy Cross. Then when she was redesigned in 1955 with an angled deck he was selected as Air Officer on her first Cruise. Miss you Dad.
I thank your Father for my Freedom. May he Rest in Peace.
Every student Naval Aviator from the 50's to the '90s has a warm spot in their heart for the "Lady Lex" or "The Blue Ghost". I am no exception getting my first arrested landing in a T-28C in September, 1966. At the time the prop carrier training squadron in Basic Flight Training was in VT-5 out of NAS Saufly just NW of Pensacola. We all got two arrested landings, the first of many for most of us. When we all gathered back in the ready room, one of the flight asked if we saw all the people up on the island, another commented "what island".
Essex class carriers have an observation platform on the O-7 level (flight deck is O-3), the hanger deck is the main deck (aka first deck). Decks above the main decks are preceded by an "O". The nick name for the observation platform (as I found out when aboard the USS Randolph (CVS-15) was "buzzards roost" for it was a good spot for any member of the crew to watch the landings and deck operations.
Most of us never looked at the island, even if we were in the right seat of the S-2 (2 aviators). The concentration was on the glide slope and the landing area. While the the T-28 we had some room between the stall speed and the landing speed, in the S-2E we did not - landing speed was 95 knots, stall speed was 95 knots.
Most ASW aviators had to car qual 5 time. First in the T-28, then in the TS-2A (both quals on the Lexington). Then in the Replacement Air Group (RAG) Squadron (VS-31 in the Atlantic) and the both day and night quals in our home squadron. You would never get in the left seat of an S-2 at sea until you had completed the home squadron. Carrier operations are noted as the most dangerous job, and the best way to survive is to practice, practice, and practice.
She was still with the fleet in the 50's and early 60's. I made a cruise with CAG 21 from Nov 60-Jun61.
My Air Group, CAG 21, made a Pacific cruise November 1960 - June 1961. Our squadron, VA 212, was flying the FJ-4B.
My grandfather served in Korea on the USS Boxer (CV-21). Another Essex class carrier
Great video! Thank you for making it.
I had a good friend that served on cv-9 & cv-16 , 20 years in the usn. worked another 19 years for city gov died of cancer before he got to enjoy his retirements. Live today tomorrow may never come.
16 Combat Stars...Presidential Unit Citation...according to Flight Deck Officer Navy Records..
Navy Wings of Gold 👍
When I was in AOCS Class 16-81, Lexington was docked at NAS Pensacola, and we had Easter Services on board.
I served on the Lex from ‘75 to ‘76. We went through a number of hurricanes but always came out k. On one trip coming back from Corpus, we retrieved oil platform life boats that had capsized. 11 people on the capsized boat did not survived the launching of the life boat.
I remember going to the uss Lexington or the blue ghost i think a few years ago and it was pretty cool going to see it for the first time
It's cool to know about her past
I served on the Lex from 73 to 76, I got on board when she was in Mobile for a refit, we would routinely go out and conduct flight ops, a week in the Pensacola area and I believe two weeks in the Corpus Christie area. "Training Pilots for the Fleet".
It was my privilege to serve on her in 1976-77 as part of a RAG squadron - a training outfit for the Grumman A6E Intruder. We'd go onboard for 1 week mini-cruises around the Gulf of Mexico.
I have Admiral Felix B. Stump's 3 star pin and his wings while on board the ship. They came with a letter typed and written by him in 1970, shortly before his death. They are one of the prides of my collection.
I'll always be angry at the Navy for NOT preserving CV6, the most decorated US ship in history, and CVN65, the first nuclear powered carrier in the world
There are many people who felt the same way. Let History never forget the name... Enterprise.
@@williammitchell4417best line ever spoken
After the USS Hornet (CV-8) was sunk, he was assigned to the USS Lexington (CV-16). In addition to the Battle of Santa Cruz, he also saw action at the Battle of Midway, the Battle of the Philippine Sea, as well as attacks on Japanese installations at Truk Lagoon, Hollandia, Palau, Wake Island, Wolei, the Marshall Islands, and the Caroline Islands. He was awarded the Navy Cross, the Silver Star, 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and 2 Air Medals.
My father joined the Lexington in January of '44 as one of her air officers and finished up the war on her. He was in flight deck control when they took a kamikaze to the island. There are videos of the event floating around on youtube. Talk about a close shave.
Close indeed! And lucky for you!
In addition to carrying a larger air group, the new design possessed a greatly enhanced anti-aircraft armament. Designated the Essex-class, the lead ship, USS Essex (CV-9), was laid down in April 1941. This was followed by USS Cabot (CV-16) which was laid down on July 15, 1941 at Bethlehem Steel's Fore River Ship in Quincy, MA. Over the next year, the carrier's hull took shape as the US entered World War II following the attack on Pearl Harbor.
On June 16, 1942, Cabot's name was changed to Lexington to honor the carrier of the same name (CV-2) which had been lost the previous month at the Battle of the Coral Sea. Launched on September 23, 1942, Lexington slid into the water with Helen Roosevelt Robinson serving as sponsor. Needed for combat operations, workers pushed to complete the ship and it entered commission on February 17, 1943, with Captain Felix Stump in command. Arriving in the Pacific
Steaming south, Lexington conducted a shakedown and training cruise in the Caribbean. During this period, it suffered a notable casualty when the F4F Wildcat flown by 1939 Heisman Trophy winner Nile Kinnick crashed off the coast of Venezuela on June 2. After returning to Boston for maintenance, Lexington departed for the Pacific. Passing through the Panama Canal, it arrived at Pearl Harbor on August 9.
Moving to the war zone, the carrier conducted raids against Tarawa and Wake Island in September. Returning to the Gilberts in November, Lexington's aircraft supported the landings on Tarawa between November 19 and 24 as well as mounted raids against Japanese bases in the Marshall Islands. Continuing to operate against the Marshalls, the carrier's planes struck Kwajalein on December 4 where they sank a cargo ship and damaged two cruisers.
At 11:22 PM that night, Lexington came under attack by Japanese torpedo bombers. Though taking evasive maneuvers, the carrier sustained a torpedo hit on the starboard side which disabled the ship's steering. Working quickly, damage control parties contained the resulting fires and devised a temporary steering system. Withdrawing, Lexington made for Pearl Harbor before proceeding on to Bremerton, WA for repairs. It reached Puget Sound Navy Yard on December 22. In the first of several instances, the Japanese believed the carrier to have been sunk. Its frequent reappearance in combat coupled with its blue camouflage scheme earned Lexington the nickname "The Blue Ghost."
Return to Combat
Fully repaired on February 20, 1944, Lexington joined Vice Admiral Marc Mitscher's Fast Carrier Task Force (TF58) at Majuro in early March. Taken by Mitscher as his flagship, the carrier raided Mili Atoll before moving south to support General Douglas MacArthur's campaign in northern New Guinea. Following a raid on Truk on April 28, the Japanese again believed the carrier to have been sunk.
Moving north to the Marianas, Mitscher's carriers next began reducing Japanese air power in the islands prior to the landings on Saipan in June. On June 19-20, Lexington took part in the victory at the Battle of the Philippine Sea which saw American pilots win the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot" in the sky while sinking a Japanese carrier and damaging several other warships.
Battle of Leyte Gulf
Later in the summer, Lexington supported the invasion of Guam before raiding the Palaus and Bonins. After striking targets in the Caroline Islands in September, the carrier commenced attacks against the Philippines in preparation for the Allied return to the archipelago. In October, Mitscher's task force moved to cover MacArthur's landings on Leyte.
With the beginning of the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Lexington's aircraft aided in sinking the battleship Musashi on October 24. The next day, its pilots contributed to the destruction of the light carrier Chitose and received sole credit for sinking the fleet carrier Zuikaku. Raids later in the day saw Lexington's planes aid in eliminating the light carrier Zuiho and the cruiser Nachi.
On the afternoon of October 25, Lexington sustained a hit from a kamikaze which struck near the island. Though this structure was badly damaged, it did not severely hamper combat operations. In the course of the engagement, the carrier's gunners downed another kamikaze that had targeted USS Ticonderoga (CV-14).
Repaired at Ulithi after the battle, Lexington spent December and January 1945 raiding Luzon and Formosa before entering the South China Sea to strike at Indochina and Hong Kong. Hitting Formosa again in late January, Mitscher then attacked Okinawa. After replenishing at Ulithi, Lexington and its consorts moved north and commenced attacks on Japan in February. Late in the month, the carrier's aircraft supported the invasion of Iwo Jima before the ship departed for an overhaul at Puget Sound. Final Campaigns
Rejoining the fleet on May 22, Lexington formed part of Rear Admiral Thomas L. Sprague's task force off Leyte. Steaming north, Sprague mounted attacks against airfields on Honshu and Hokkaido, industrial targets around Tokyo, as well as the remnants of the Japanese fleet at Kure and Yokosuka. These efforts continued until mid-August when Lexington's final raid received orders to jettison its bombs due to the Japanese surrender.
With the end of the conflict, the carrier's aircraft commenced patrols over Japan before taking part in Operation Magic Carpet to return American servicemen home. With the reduction in fleet strength after the war, Lexington was decommissioned on April 23, 1947 and placed in the National Defense Reserve Fleet at Puget Sound.
I visited Lex as part of my official duties in the later 80s. It was cool to still see the ductwork for passing 5-inch ammunition up from the magazines still in place in the messing spaces.
My great grandfather was going back to Norway in the late 70s from Ft.lauderdale and wanted to see the lexington. My rather good looking aunt talked a cpo into giving us a tour after tours were over, we were late. I was about 10 or 11 and he let me climb up and look into a jet on the deck. Wish I remembered his name to thank him here. I think it was Sharkey but I also think that was a tv show character. He was a wealth of info and my great grandfather nor me ever forgot the tour.
5:05. Between that point till just after Leyte Gulf. She would be assigned to Task Group 58/38.3 and would be Vice Admiral Marc Mitscher’s flagship. So flagship of Task Force 58/38.
I suspect that because of the torpedo damage. Her Air Group 16 didn’t finish up their allotted deployment time. Hence by the time of the Battle of the Philippine Sea. She was the one of 2.5 carriers still using the SBD Dauntless. In addition to five plane reconnaissance section aboard USS Yorktown (CV-10) and Air Group 10 aboard USS Enterprise. After the Turkey shoot and the June 20 strike. Both COs of VB-10 and VB-16 gave their reports to Mitscher. Who, in part, wanted to hear the performance of the two operating Dauntless squadrons. Compared to the Helldivers being used by the rest of the fleet. Especially as anywhere between none and 4 Dauntlesses were lost in the mass ditching on the night of June 20 compared to 43 Helldivers. Mitscher was considering re-equipping the carriers with the older Dive Bomber. Though logistics and the newer -3 Helldiver put an end to that plan.
6:47 I suspect that’s because there were only so many times that Tokyo Rose could say, “Enterprise was sunk.”
Speaking of the Grey and Blue Ghosts. The two carriers would serve quite closely during this point of the War. Enterprise served as the flagship for Task Group 58.3 between April and July 1944. Later the two would serve in Task Group 38.2 during the Luzon and Mindoro Landings and the South China Sea Raid. Finally, Task Group 58.2 for the Tokyo Raid and the Battle of Iwo Jima. When the Big E wasn't detached for her night operations in Task Group 38/58.5. Finally, on 22 November 1944. Enterprise needs to return to Pearl Harbour for her conversion to night operations. She switched her Air Group 20, which had 3 more months left on its deployment. With Lexington’s Air Group 19, which was finishing its Deployment. The switch had taken place at Ulithi. As a bit of a joke, when Air Group 20 arrived on Lexington. They handed a letter from Enterprise. Which warned Lexington about “what kind of knuckleheads she’s in for.” She was also willing to trade Rear Admiral Davison and his staff for a spare belly tank.
The helldivers were absolutely terrible. You look at their service life after 1945 and there is none to speak of. I understand the goal of the specification that they'll divert was built to but the hell diver was just a terrible design. Too many compromises were made to get that much airplane to fit on an elevator. It had stability issues, it also had an early problem with the tail breaking loose when in a dive. The numerous other problems along with handling just made it an unpopular aircraft. You look at the sb2c, son-of-a-bitch second class, then look at the dauntless if you compare them one looks like a plane that's ready to fly and one makes you scratch your head.
Btw wasn't CV-16 used in the original Top Gun?
@@JohnRodriguesPhotographer the exterior was USS Enterprise CVN-65 and the interior was USS Ranger CV-61. She did impersonate the Yorktowns. Specifically in Yorktown in Midway (1975). Enterprise in a tv show called War and Remembrance and Hornet in Pearl Harbour. Where she was also used as a stand in for the Kido Butai.
@@ph89787 I am thinking of the take off and roll scene. I know it was shot in the Gulf. Perhaps it was Midway.
@@JohnRodriguesPhotographer too big for midway
Technically, she's "sunk" right now. By us. Don't worry - she's intact. To secure her in her "berth" in Corpus, they dredged a ditch for her, towed her into position, and filled her with ballast until she was snugged down tightly against the bottom. This makes her virtually hurricane-proof. I've been visiting her since the mid 90s and the museum staff tells me that, even after Hurricane Harvey, she hasn't budged an inch. The Blue Ghost has been visited by 8 million people since she became a museum ship, is as tough as ever, and will likely be visited by many millions more over the decades to come. Support your local museum ships, people! It's the least we can do to honor those who served aboard them.
I was a ROTC 17 year old back in 1983 and went on the lexington for three weeks we went from one port in Florida out to sea and back to a differant port in Florida the first thing that was strange to me was there was a yellow VW bug on the deck it was the Captians car and they shot it off with the catapalt to be a reaf for fish that was cool to see. The Ship was being used to train Marine pilot's on take off and landing's I loved it the ship still had the war damage in place's from air attack's in WW2 I Honor the history and all who served on this great Ship
Well it's better to be remembered as a ghost then forgotten altogether.
She is a freakin beauty
I visited the Lexington many times in corpus christ but I saw her in key west I was on a sailboat she was magnificent war machine the blue ghost
Flight Crew Chief Vern A. Prather, a Mustang to Ensign, and Bronze Star with Combat V, saving many Hellcat Fighters and Flight Crews. in the Marshall Island and first battle of the Phillipine Sea.
Very good video. But my question is, how did she end up getting launched so much quicker than all the other Essex's (CV 9-15)? I just looked. They were all ordered at the same time (Sept 1940). But 9-15 were all actually laid down almost a year AFTER 16. Why?
Perhaps named after Lexington, MS, site of the Battle of Lexington, Revolutionary War.
Will they attempt to revive the name Lexington in a future ship? Or no?
So, I heard somewhere that the Lexington, as a museum ship, was sunk by the IJN... again. 😏😉😄
Is that why there are FOUR blue shoats in Pacman?
Was the USS Lexington the ship most often claimed to be sunk by the Japanese?
Yeah, three times, Tokyo Rose, a prominent radio host, had to do a double take the first time she read the Name "Lexington" again.
Japan's moral would start coming into question when it was reported that she was destroyed again.
She's named the blue ghost for a reason, and she wore it beautifully
Blue Ghost? Methinks thou hast a bad case of Gray Ghost envy!
Incoming news: Lexington has been sunk.....again.
HMS Belfast would be a suggestion
USS Lexington (CV-16)
Lexington
truk Trook not Truhk