USS Lexington Aircraft Carrier in Corpus Christi, Texas

Launched in late 1942, the USS Lexington (CV-16) is a United States Navy Essex-class aircraft carrier that served in the Pacific during World War II. The ship was renamed during construction to commemorate the USS Lexington (CV-2) which was lost during the Battle of the Corral Sea. This became the fifth U.S. Navy ship to bear the Lexington name.   

The USS Lexington was nicknamed "the Blue Ghost" by Tokyo Rose / Japanese propaganda during the War because it was (falsely) reported sunk four times, but kept returning to battle. The ship also had a unique blue / gray paint scheme which set it apart.

Following World War II, the USS Lexington saw renewed service as an attack carrier, and later a training carrier. She was eventually decommissioned in 1991 and went on to be docked in Corpus Christi, Texas as the USS Lexington Museum on the Bay where she remains today.

Explore additional images from the flight deck of the USS Lexington here.

Corpus Christi, Texas.