The USS Lexington, known as “The Blue Ghost,” stands as a lasting tribute to the bravery, ingenuity, and resilience of the United States Navy.

From its commissioning in 1943 during the throes of World War II to its final retirement in 1991, this Essex-class aircraft carrier bore witness to the evolving dynamics of naval warfare and technological advancement.

Commissioned as the USS Cabot, this ship was quickly renamed to honor its predecessor, the original USS Lexington (CV-2), which was lost in the Battle of the Coral Sea.

In a remarkable turnaround, the vessel was constructed in just 73 weeks at the Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts, and embarked on a storied career that would engrave its name in the annals of naval history.

During World War II, the Lexington, bearing the hull classification symbol CV-16, was a cornerstone of the Pacific Theater, participating in nearly every major operation.

As the flagship of Task Force 58, her presence was felt from Tarawa to Tokyo. Her aircraft were responsible for the destruction of 372 enemy planes in the air and another 475 on the ground, effectively sinking or damaging nearly 900,000 tons of enemy cargo.

The carrier’s formidable performance earned her the Japanese propagandist Tokyo Rose’s nickname, “The Blue Ghost,” a moniker that became a badge of honor for the ship and her crew, embracing her seeming invulnerability as she was reportedly sunk four times, yet always returned to fight.

For her valor and effectiveness in combat, the USS Lexington was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and 11 battle stars.

The USS Lexington’s service did not conclude with the end of World War II. After a brief decommissioning post-war, she was called back to active duty during the Cold War.

Undergoing substantial reconstruction, the Lexington emerged with an angled flight deck, steam catapults, and strengthened arrester gear, signifying a new era in naval aviation. Her later years saw her playing roles in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Mediterranean, as well as during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

The Lexington’s final years were spent as a training carrier, shaping the future leaders of naval aviation until her decommissioning in 1991.

She now resides in Corpus Christi, Texas, as a floating museum, a testament to her illustrious service and the generations of sailors who served aboard her.

Her legacy is not only maintained through her preservation as a museum but also her appearances in pop culture, including films like “Midway” and “Pearl Harbor,” ensuring that her story reaches audiences far beyond those with a naval background.

While the USS Lexington may no longer sail the world’s oceans, her impact and the innovations she helped pioneer in aircraft carrier operations paved the way for future classes of carriers, including the modern Nimitz-class supercarriers that continue to project U.S. power across the globe.

The legacy of the Lexington serves as a vivid reminder of the enduring spirit of the United States Navy, its adaptability in the face of changing warfare, and its unwavering commitment to protecting the nation’s interests at sea. As we reflect on the past and look to the future, “The Blue Ghost” remains an enduring symbol of American naval power and innovation.

Relevant articles:
– USS Lexington: One of the Greatest U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers Ever, The National Interest
– Ranked by Expert: The Navy’s 5 Best Aircraft Carriers Ever, nationalinterest.org
– USS LEXINGTON, USS Lexington Museum
– The USS Lexington: The Oldest Working Carrier in the Navy – Our American Stories, iHeart