USS Lexington
Blue Ghost : Corpus Christi Texas
USS Lexington,
nicknamed "The Blue Ghost", is an Essex-class aircraft carrier built
during World War II for the United States Navy. Originally intended to be named
Cabot, word arrived during construction that the USS Lexington (CV-2) had been
lost in the Battle of the Coral Sea.
She was renamed
while under construction to commemorate the earlier ship. She was the fifth
US Navy ship to bear the name in honor of the Revolutionary War Battle of
Lexington. USS Lexington is a valuable national treasure having played a
significant role in the nation’s defense for nearly 50 years. Her World War II
record is second to none and as a place where Americans died in defense of
freedom, she is a memorial worth preserving. She continues to serve today as a
museum and educational facility.
Blue Ghost USS
Lexington: Fun Facts
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Launched
on 23 September 1942
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Commissioned: 17 February 1943
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Decommissioned: 23 April 1947
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Recommissioned: 15 August 1955
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Decommissioned: 8 November 1991
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The
USS Lexington is as tall as a 19 story building and as long as three New York
City blocks.
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You
could park more than 1,000 automobiles on its flight deck.
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It
has more telephones than a city of 5,000.
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It
has crossed the equator 13 times.
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It
was the first carrier to deploy air-to-surface missiles.
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It
has sailed enough miles to circle the globe eight times.
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It
has more sleeping spaces than Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas.
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It
was the first carrier to establish a seagoing high school.
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It
can produce enough electricity to power a city of 150,000.
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I
was the first ship in U.S. Navy history to have women aboard as crewmembers.
Lexington was
decommissioned in 1991, with an active service life longer than any other
Essex-class ship. Following her decommissioning, she was donated for use as a
museum ship in Corpus Christi, Texas. In 2003, Lexington was designated a
National Historic Landmark.
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