| Lexington is the fifth ship and second aircraft carrier bearing that proud name. The first aircraft carrier, launched in 1927, was the converted battle cruiser, Constitution. This vessel served proudly until 8 May 1942 when the "Lady Lex" was sunk in the Battle of the Coral Sea. The present ship is an Essex class carrier and was originally to be named USS Cabot. When word was received that the original Lexington had been sunk, and a campaign was launched to change the name of the new carrier to Lexington and the rest is history. USS Lexington CV-16 was commissioned 17 February 1943. |
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During World War II she participated in nearly every major operation in the Pacific Theater. Lexington earned her nickname "Blue Ghost", because of her non-camouflaged blue color scheme and the fact that she was repeatedly, and incorrectly reported sunk by the Japanese propagandist, Tokyo Rose. During World War II her planes destroyed more than 370 enemy aircraft and 475 more on the ground. After World War II, she was modernized and reactivated in 1955. Operating primarily with the Seventh Fleet out of San Diego, she kept an off-shore vigil in the tensions in Formosa, Laos, and Cuba. In 1962, Lexington began her career as a training carrier in Pensacola, FL, where she served for almost 30 years, she was decommissioned 26 November 1991. Lexington served the Navy longer and set more records than any carrier in the history of naval aviation. She opened as a Museum on October 14, 1992 in Corpus Christi, TX. |
World War Photos
of the first Lexington and other carriers |
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Links to many of the active and inactive naval ships as they are developed. The present list consists of over 100 ships with links to their home sites |
The Lexington Log |
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| Contacts Made | 1700 |
| Contacts Confirmed | 341 |
| States Confirmed | 37 |
| Countries Confirmed | 5 |
QSL Cards should be sent to: P.O. Box 23076, |
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This page last updated by BB Stanfield, KC5PIY Friday, June 11, 1999
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