USS Lexington C V S 16

• 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. • 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.” • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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). • Longest Serving Essex-Class Carrier: Lexington served for nearly 50 years, longer than any other carrier of her class. • Training Carrier: From 1962 to 1991, she served as a training carrier for naval aviators in Pensacola, Florida, qualifying thousands of pilots. • 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.