Vettes on the Lex
USS LEXINGTON - A HISTORY
The USS LEXINGTON, (CV-16), is a World War II-vintage aircraft carrier. Commissioned in 1943, she served the United States longer and set more records than any other carrier in the history of naval aviation. Decommissioned in 1991, The USS Lexington is open year 'round seven days a week for touring and special events; it is closed on Christmas and Thanksgiving Day.
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.
The USS LEXINGTON, (CV-16), is a World War II-vintage aircraft carrier. Commissioned in 1943, she served the United States longer and set more records than any other carrier in the history of naval aviation. Decommissioned in 1991, The USS Lexington is open year 'round seven days a week for touring and special events; it is closed on Christmas and Thanksgiving Day.
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.
(The Japanese referred to Lexington as a "ghost" ship for her tendency to reappear after reportedly being sunk. This, coupled with the ship's dark blue camouflage scheme, led the crew to refer to her as "The Blue Ghost”. There were rumors during the war that the ship was so badly damaged it had to be scuttled at one point, but a newly built aircraft carrier was immediately deployed with the same name, in an effort to demoralize the Japanese.)
Lexington was commissioned in February 1943 and saw extensive service through the Pacific War. For much of her service, she acted as the flagship for Admiral Marc Mitcsher, and led the Fast Carrier Task Force through their battles across the Pacific. She was the recipient of 11 battle stars and the Presidential Unit Citation. Following the war, Lexington was decommissioned, but was modernized and reactivated in the early 1950s, being reclassified as an attack carrier (CVA). Later, she was reclassified as an anti-submarine carrier (CVS). In her second career, she operated both in the Atlantic/Mediterranean and the Pacific, but spent most of her time, nearly 30 years, on the east coast as a training carrier (CVT).
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. Though her surviving Sister ships Yorktown, Intrepid, and Hornet carry lower hull numbers, Lexington was laid down and commissioned earlier, making Lexington the oldest remaining fleet carrier in the world.
Lexington was commissioned in February 1943 and saw extensive service through the Pacific War. For much of her service, she acted as the flagship for Admiral Marc Mitcsher, and led the Fast Carrier Task Force through their battles across the Pacific. She was the recipient of 11 battle stars and the Presidential Unit Citation. Following the war, Lexington was decommissioned, but was modernized and reactivated in the early 1950s, being reclassified as an attack carrier (CVA). Later, she was reclassified as an anti-submarine carrier (CVS). In her second career, she operated both in the Atlantic/Mediterranean and the Pacific, but spent most of her time, nearly 30 years, on the east coast as a training carrier (CVT).
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. Though her surviving Sister ships Yorktown, Intrepid, and Hornet carry lower hull numbers, Lexington was laid down and commissioned earlier, making Lexington the oldest remaining fleet carrier in the world.
USS Lexington anchored at Corpus Christi Bay, Texas is a floating museum.
On 15 June 1992, the ship was donated as a museum and now operates as the USS LEXINGTON Museum on the Bay at 2914 North Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi, Texas.
In the summer of 2006 Stephen "Maverick" McCravy and Mike Ross came up with the idea to put Corvettes on the flight deck of the USS Lexington to help raise money for charities and to be what the organizers had hoped as one of the greatest shows ever produced. It was decided on 300 Corvettes for the first time and did not ever imagine that another Vettes and Jets event would be possible. Then they had to decide on where the proceeds would go; it was settled on the USO and the Wounded Warrior Project. The show was attracting national attention. Needless to say the event was a huge success. After many more talks with the USS Lexington staff and an overwhelming amount of people and emails urging to do the event again. On 4 July 2008 it was decided to try the event again but this time increasing the amount of Corvettes to 325 for September of 2009. This event was a little more difficult because they loaded all of the Corvettes in the pouring down rain, but it was for a great cause and God blessed the day with wonderful weather later that day. It was decided on switching charities to just one, the Wounded Warrior Project. The organizers wanted to make more of an impact for our wounded Veterans and to let them know how much everyone cared and supported them. This time they were able to raise $32,500 for the WWP. It did not stop there... In the summer of 2010 the organizers wanted to make the next Vettes and Jets more memorable and special then ever. They knew that the next event would be the 10th anniversary of September 11 so they added a Camaro raffle give away, changed it to a 2 day event, added a Saturday night dance and a live auction. The event was another huge success and were able to raise $50,000. We had 303 Corvettes loaded on the flight deck for 2013 and 349 Corvette slots sold. It was another great event and we were able to raise $42,000 for the WWP and $25,000 for the USS Lexington!!! Thank you to everyone who came and were a part of this historic event!!!
On 15 June 1992, the ship was donated as a museum and now operates as the USS LEXINGTON Museum on the Bay at 2914 North Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi, Texas.
In the summer of 2006 Stephen "Maverick" McCravy and Mike Ross came up with the idea to put Corvettes on the flight deck of the USS Lexington to help raise money for charities and to be what the organizers had hoped as one of the greatest shows ever produced. It was decided on 300 Corvettes for the first time and did not ever imagine that another Vettes and Jets event would be possible. Then they had to decide on where the proceeds would go; it was settled on the USO and the Wounded Warrior Project. The show was attracting national attention. Needless to say the event was a huge success. After many more talks with the USS Lexington staff and an overwhelming amount of people and emails urging to do the event again. On 4 July 2008 it was decided to try the event again but this time increasing the amount of Corvettes to 325 for September of 2009. This event was a little more difficult because they loaded all of the Corvettes in the pouring down rain, but it was for a great cause and God blessed the day with wonderful weather later that day. It was decided on switching charities to just one, the Wounded Warrior Project. The organizers wanted to make more of an impact for our wounded Veterans and to let them know how much everyone cared and supported them. This time they were able to raise $32,500 for the WWP. It did not stop there... In the summer of 2010 the organizers wanted to make the next Vettes and Jets more memorable and special then ever. They knew that the next event would be the 10th anniversary of September 11 so they added a Camaro raffle give away, changed it to a 2 day event, added a Saturday night dance and a live auction. The event was another huge success and were able to raise $50,000. We had 303 Corvettes loaded on the flight deck for 2013 and 349 Corvette slots sold. It was another great event and we were able to raise $42,000 for the WWP and $25,000 for the USS Lexington!!! Thank you to everyone who came and were a part of this historic event!!!
September 2016 was the final Vettes and Jets on the Lex event with 416 Corvettes loaded. The USS Lexington and her elevator are getting old and too much wear and tear is being placed on the ship to continue this event any further than 2016. The event was open to the first 416 Corvettes - largest ever!
Leo Agurrie, a Phantom Vettes Corvette Club Member, served on the USS Lexington for two years.
Leo Agurrie, a Phantom Vettes Corvette Club Member, served on the USS Lexington for two years.
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Mary, her son's and her family gather for dinner.
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After dinner on Saturday evening we were treated to a comedy show by Steve Trevino - very funny!
On Sunday all Veterans from all services were honored.
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