About this Unit
The USS Lexington is a name carried by several distinguished ships in the United States Navy, most famously by the aircraft carrier CV-2. Commissioned in 1927, this "Lady Lex" played a pivotal role in the early Pacific campaigns of World War II, including the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942. During that battle, she was heavily damaged by enemy aircraft and ultimately sunk, marking the first aircraft carrier lost by the United States in the war. Despite her loss, the USS Lexington’s crew and air group contributed significantly to halting Japanese expansion, and her name was later passed on to the Essex-class carrier CV-16, which served throughout the remainder of the war and beyond.
Historical Facts
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Namesake Legacy: The USS Lexington (CV-2) was named after the Battle of Lexington, the first military engagement of the American Revolutionary War. Several US Navy ships have carried the name "Lexington" in honor of this battle.
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From Battlecruiser to Carrier: The original hull of the USS Lexington was laid down as a battlecruiser (CC-1) but was converted to an aircraft carrier after the signing of the Washington Naval Treaty in 1922, which limited naval armaments.
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"Lady Lex" Nickname: The USS Lexington (CV-2) earned the affectionate nickname "Lady Lex" from her crew and the American public.
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Key Role in the Battle of the Coral Sea: The USS Lexington took part in the pivotal Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942, the first carrier-versus-carrier battle in history, which stopped the Japanese advance on Port Moresby.
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Heroic Loss: On May 8, 1942, during the Battle of the Coral Sea, the Lexington was struck by multiple torpedoes and bombs. Despite valiant efforts by the crew, uncontrollable fires led to her being scuttled, making her the first U.S. aircraft carrier lost in WWII.
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Massive Power Plant: The Lexington was equipped with turbo-electric propulsion, making her one of the fastest ships in the U.S. Navy at the time, with a top speed of over 33 knots.
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Rescue of the Crew: Over 2,700 officers and men were saved from the doomed ship, a testament to the discipline and heroism of the crew and their rescuers.
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Wreck Discovery: The wreck of the USS Lexington (CV-2) was located in March 2018 by a team led by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, resting about 2 miles deep in the Coral Sea.
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Namesake Continued: The name "Lexington" was quickly transferred to the new USS Lexington (CV-16), which was commissioned in 1943 and served until 1991, now preserved as a museum in Corpus Christi, Texas.
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Historic Innovations: The USS Lexington (CV-2) was among the first carriers to test and develop new tactics, such as launching and recovering aircraft while underway, which became standard practice for future carrier operations.
