A very brief history of Lexington.
Construction began July 15 1941 at the Bethlehem Steel Co. yard in Quincy Mass. and the ship was launched September 23 1942, commissioned February 17 1943. After sea trials and some work in Boston Lexington traveled through the Panama Canal, arriving in Pearl Harbor August 9 1943. Unlike other carriers in the Pacific Fleet Lexington was painted dark blue. The Japanese claimed on several occasions to have sunk her but she always showed up again, earning her nickname the "Blue Ghost."
After the war Lexington entered the Reserve Fleet April 23 1947. In the 1950s the ship was updated and returned to active service August 15 1955. In 1969 she began service as a Training Carrier before retiring for good in 1991. On June 15 1992 this proud old warrior was donated to the city of Corpus Christi to become a floating museum and memorial to all who served on her. The Lexington served on active duty longer than any Essex-class carrier in the United States Navy, and is the oldest surviving aircraft carrier in the world.
Visiting ships like Lexington, the USS Texas, the Alamo or San Jacinto Memorial, or any historic military site is always a sobering experience for me. I don't glorify or celebrate war. War is a terrible thing that should never be entered into lightly. Too many men, women and children have lost their lives due to the foolishness and arrogence of those in power. But, sometimes war is a necessary evil. I remember leaning on the fence surrounding Lexington's flight deck and looking out into the Gulf. In my minds eye I could see, in the distance, the hazy outline of Cebu, Leyte, Luzon, Iwo Jima and so many places in the Pacific where so many brave men gave, as Mr. Lincoln said at Gettysburg, their last full measure of devotion in a just cause. These men I will remember and honor without apology, as well as all who have served with honor in times of peace and war.
