We toured the aircraft carrier, USS Lexington Museum on the Bay, docked in Corpus Christi. The "Lex" has flight deck 910 feet long and had a crew of 1500 men and women. Despite repeated attacks during World War II and the Japanese reporting her sunk no less that 4 times, the USS Lexington came back to fight again, prompting Tokyo Rose to dub the carrier "The Blue Ghost."
A "Tomcat" sits on deck, among many other aircraft. We were also able to tour many areas inside the ship, including the captain's quarters, mess hall, dental facilities with 2 dentists and 7 technicians, surgical facilities with a 20 bed hospital, 2 doctors and 14 corpsmen, and a very "posh" room where visiting dignitaries were entertained. There were over 40,000 books in the library. The crew daily consumed 660 pounds of meat, 164 gallons of milk and 97 dozen eggs!
This "Skyhawk" used by the Marines had "Capt. C. R. Connor" under the cockpit window. I wonder if he's related??
A "Cobra" helicopter had this message written on it: "Don't bother running you'll only die tired." We spent about 5 hours on the ship and could have stayed longer as there is so much to see. There are rooms full of interesting stories, pictures, and memorabilia inside along with an I-max move and many short videos throughout the ship.
Commissioned in 1943, the USS Lexington has served the US longer and set more records than any other carrier in the history of naval aviation. During WW II she spent 21 months in combat in the Pacific Theater. Her planes destroyed 372 enemy aircraft in the air and another 475 on the ground. She was the oldest working carrier when she was decommissioned in 1991. A heartfelt "Thank you" to all who served on the "Lex" and to all of our brave soldiers all over the world.
Corpus Christi is privileged to be selected as the permanent home of this national treasure.
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