About this Unit
USS Lexington (CV-16), nicknamed "The Blue Ghost," is an Essex-class aircraft carrier commissioned by the United States Navy in February 1943 during World War II. She participated in major Pacific Theater operations, including the Battle of the Philippine Sea, the Battle of Leyte Gulf, and multiple air strikes against Japanese forces. After World War II, Lexington was modernized and served as an attack carrier (CVA) and later as an antisubmarine carrier (CVS), before becoming a training carrier (CVT) in 1962. Decommissioned in 1991, USS Lexington now serves as a museum ship in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Historical Facts
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Second Carrier Named "Lexington": USS Lexington (CV-16) was commissioned to replace the original USS Lexington (CV-2), which was sunk during the Battle of the Coral Sea in 1942. The new ship was originally to be named USS Cabot but was renamed to honor the lost carrier.
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Nicknamed "The Blue Ghost": The Japanese repeatedly claimed to have sunk her, yet she kept reappearing in battle. This led Tokyo Rose and Allied sailors to dub her “The Blue Ghost.”
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Launched Rapidly: Construction of CV-16 was completed in just over a year, and she was commissioned in February 1943, reflecting the urgent need for carriers in World War II.
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World War II Service: Lexington played a major role in almost every major operation in the Pacific Theater, including the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
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Record-Setting Air Group: Her air group destroyed more than 300 aircraft in one day during the Battle of the Philippine Sea, one of the most decisive carrier actions of the war.
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Survived Multiple Kamikaze Attacks: Despite being hit by kamikaze attacks in 1944, Lexington was quickly repaired and returned to action, underscoring her durability and the skill of her crew.
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Post-War Service and Modernization: After WWII, Lexington was modernized and reclassified as an attack carrier (CVA) and later as an anti-submarine carrier (CVS).
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Longest Serving Essex-Class Carrier: Lexington served for nearly 50 years, longer than any other carrier of her class.
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Training Carrier: From 1962 to 1991, she served as a training carrier for naval aviators in Pensacola, Florida, qualifying thousands of pilots.
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Museum Ship: Decommissioned in 1991, USS Lexington now serves as a museum ship in Corpus Christi, Texas, where visitors can explore her decks and learn about her storied past.
