Initially named Cabot after the first European explorer to reach the North American mainland, CV-16 was renamed Lexington on 16 June 1942, to honor CV-2 (lost one month earlier at the Battle of the Coral Sea), thus becoming the fifth US warship to bear the name of the town in Massachusetts where Minutemen fought a detachment of British troops on 19 April 1775, opening the Revolutionary War with the "shot heard round the world."

"The First Blow for Liberty." Battle of Lexington. Copy of print by Alexander Hay Ritchie after a drawing by Felix Octavius Carr Darley. Published in 1868. National Archives image 200(S)-JH-3.

USS Lexington (CV-16), World War II.

Overhead plan and starboard profile meticulously drawn by John Robert Barrett. Available from Navy Yard Associates (if you decide to purchase artwork from them please indicate that you heard about their work from NavSource).

Lexington (CV-16) on the ways at the Fore River Shipyard, Quincy, MA, prior to her Christening and Launching on Saturday, 26 September 1942. The Blue Ghost, aka Lady Lex, was completed well ahead of schedule. The photo is in the collection of the National Archives.

Lexington was sponsored by Mrs. Theodore D. Robinson, wife of the former Assistant Secretary of the Navy (1924–1929). Mrs. Robinson had also sponsored the previous Lexington (CV-2) in 1925.

USS Lexington (CV-16) steams through floating ice in Boston Harbor, Massachusetts, on 17 February 1943, the day she first went into commission. Note snow on her flight deck, and open catapult track on the starboard side, forward.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-35657).

While on sea trials off the Virginia Capes, Carrier Air Group 16 flew aboard, thus the first landing was made by CAG LCDR T. B. Southerland, in an F6F-3 Hellcat on 23 April 1943. This is an Official US Navy Photograph in the collection of the National Archives.

An F6F-3 Hellcat of Fighting Squadron Sixteen (VF-16) gets the take-off flag from Lieutenant John M. Clark, during operations in the Gilberts and Marshalls, 23 November 1943. VF-16 pilots shot down seventeen Japanese aircraft on that day.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-44605).

Pilots pleased over their victory during the Marshall Islands attack aboard USS Lexington (CV-16), after shooting down 17 out of 20 Japanese planes heading for Tarawa. November 1943.

Aircraft return to the carrier during the Gilberts operation, November 1943. Crewmen in the foreground are sitting on the wing of an SBD-5, as an F6F-3 lands and a TBF-1 taxiies to a parking place on the forward flight deck. Photographed by Commander Edward Steichen, USNR.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-K-15290).

Fighting Squadron Sixteen (VF-16) Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Paul D. Buie, (center) briefs his pilots for an upcoming mission, during the Gilberts operation, November-December 1943. An F6F-3 Hellcat fighter is behind them. Note flight gear, markings on helmets and life vests. Pilot at left wears a .45 caliber pistol.

Photographed by Commander Edward Steichen, USNR.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-K-16053).

USS Lexington (CV-16) underway during the Gilberts operation, as seen from USS Monterey (CVL-26), November-December 1943. The original photograph is dated 5 December 1943, but must have been taken earlier than that.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-366924).

Photographed from USS Cowpens (CVL-25) during raids in the Marshalls and Gilberts Islands, November-December 1943. She is painted in camouflage Measure 21.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-K-102).

Port bow view, underway at 25 knots, 14 February 1944. Lexington was torpedoed off Kwajalein, 4 December 1943, and reached Bremerton, Wash., 22 December for full repairs, completed in February 1944.

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Bow view, starboard side, Puget Sound Navy Yard, 16 February 1944 (just a year after she was commissioned.) Lexington had been under repair for torpedo damage (see NS021618) and addition of more quad 40mm mounts to upgrade her AA capability.

PSNY photo # 577-44; BuShips photo # 60820.

Aft view, starboard side, as above.

PSNY photo # 579-44; BuShips photo # 60821.

USS Lexington after repair of torpedo damage. USN photo, probably taken on 20 February 1944.

USS Lexington (CV-16). Radar antenna from elevated position over starboard quarter. Puget Sound Navy Yard, 21 February 1944.

USS Lexington (CV-16). Radar antenna from elevated position over starboard bow. Puget Sound Navy Yard, 21 February 1944 (photo #646-44).

USS Lexington (CV-16). Radar antenna on top of mainmast from starboard quarter. Puget Sound Navy Yard, 21 February 1944.

Underway on March 10, 1944.

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Battle of the Philippine Sea, June 1944. An F6F-3 Hellcat fighter lands aboard USS Lexington (CV-16) during the "Marianas Turkey Shoot" phase of the battle, 19 June 1944. Note manned 40mm guns in the foreground, and 20mm guns along the starboard side of the flight deck.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-236955).

"A message from the first Commanding Officer of the first modern Hornet," VADM Marc A. Mitscher, Commander First Carrier Task Force, "to the Officers and Men of Task Force Thirty-Eight." Ulithi Atoll, 30 October 1944. Mitscher's flagship at the time was USS Lexington (CV-16).

USS Lexington (CV-16) under attack from a Japanese kamikaze. Shown here is one of four Mitsubishi A6M5 Navy Type 0 Fighter Model 52s from Mabalacat that dove on Lexington on 5 November 1944. Three were shot down, but the fourth broke through and crashed the after end of her island. In this photo [NS021664], the Zeke can be seen still upright, as viewed from a 20 mm gun tub mounted high up the onboard face of the carrier's funnel. To the left is the after Mk 37 director with its FD radar. In the next photo [NS021664a], the Zeke has flipped over. Many pilots did this because it allowed them to keep the target in sight as it got closer and the angle of the dive steepened. Photos from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) facility, College Park, MD.

Photos and text from Fire From The Sky, by Robert C. Stern.

A series of four photos taken on 6 November 1944, after a Kamikaze strike the prior day. Photos NS021664 and NS021664a show this aircraft.

Damage to the aft starboard section of the island.

Parts of the Zero's engine in the ship's interior. Note the pistons in view in the bottom center.

20mm group #7 wrecked the day after a Kamikaze strike on the island.

Wreckage of Secondary control, on the aft end of Lexington's island.

USS Brush (DD-745) coming alongside USS Lexington (CV-16), January 25, 1945. Photo 80-G-299871.

National Archives (College Park, Maryland) photo.

LT Elvin Lester Lindsay, VF-19. Navy Ace (8 victories). CO, VF-19 (November 1944–January 1945) and VBF-19 (January–August 1945). Retired as a Lieutenant Commander.

Awarded the Navy Cross, 2 Silver Stars and a Distinguished Flying Cross.

CITATION:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant] Elvin Lester Lindsay, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Flight Leader in Fighting Squadron NINETEEN (VF-19) attached to the U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16), while assigned to strike major Japanese Fleet Units on 25 October 1944, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, in the Philippine Islands. Skillfully directing his escort group on a strike against major enemy surface units, Lieutenant Commander Lindsay boldly dived through the intense barrage of hostile anti-aircraft fire and expertly maneuvered his plane to deliver a bombing and strafing attack upon a Japanese aircraft carrier, leaving her burning and in a sinking condition. During the ensuing action, he valiantly led his fighters through anti-aircraft fire to deliver a strafing raid upon a light cruiser. By his brilliant airmanship, indomitable courage and inspiring leadership, Lieutenant Commander Lindsay contributed materially to the infliction of overwhelming damage upon the Japanese Fleet during this Battle. Commander Lindsay's outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

LT(JG) Robert A. Farnsworth?, VF-19. Navy Ace (5 victories). Retired as a Commander, in 1963.

Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal.

LT(JG) Lachlan Douglas McLaughlin, VF-19, receiving his Distinguished Flying Cross (citation) and Air Medal, probably in Hawaii.

Dead ahead view, running trials after overhaul. May 14, 1945, Puget Sound, Wash.

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Bow view, port side. Puget Sound Navy Yard, 21 May 1945, after overhaul.

PSNY photo #2426-45; BuShips photo # 83701.

In 1945 there was still interest in a lightweight weapon able to quickly and independently engage incoming targets, such as kamikazes, with very high firepower. One alternative was the Army Mark 31 .50-cal quadruple mount, tested aboard the fast carriers Wasp and Lexington (six mounts each) and the escort carrier Cape Gloucester (four mounts).

This view of the forward, starboard mount on Lexington was taken sometime between May 1945 and August 1945; the report this picture was enclosed in was dated August and stated they were mounted by May 13, 1945.

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo, Record Group 181.

Read the complete "Report on Service Experience with Six Caliber .50 Gun Mounts, Mark 31 mod. 0", at the Researcher @ Large website.

Aerial view of USS Lexington (CV-16) underway after her May 1945 overhaul. Official US Navy Photograph in the collection of the National Archives.

(Thanks to Massimiliano Stola, who noted the date originally posted was in error.)

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, January 11, 1954. Island and flight deck starboard side - looking forward. (Photo # NY8-10012).

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, January 11, 1954. Erection of new blister framing. Port side looking aft. (Photo # NY8-10020).

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, April 13, 1954. No. 1 and 2 sections of new bow looking aft. (Photo # NY8-11021).

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, April 13, 1954. Installation of bulkheads second to main deck in way of new blister, port side looking aft. (Photo # NY8-11022).

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, April 13, 1954. Flight deck looking forward showing removal of structure for No. 3 deck edge elevator. (Photo # NY8-11023).

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, May 8, 1954. Removal of bent extensions outboard girder and flight deck overhang in way of canted deck. Port side looking forward. (Photo # NY8-11194).

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, June 16, 1954. Looking at flight deck plating removal in way of new landing area (25# STS plating), and new hangar deck extension over the blister. (Photo # NY8-11381).

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, June 16, 1954. Starboard side of flight deck looking forward showing the installation of bents and girders in the after centerline elevator area and also the new smoke pipe cowl. (Photo # NY8-11382).

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, June 16, 1954. Installation of two of the three flight deck sections removed earlier in the conversion. Starboard side, forward. (Photo # NY8-11383).

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, September 15, 1954. Flight deck with all canted deck bents installed. (Photo # NY8-11653).

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, September 22, 1954. Bow section on flat car prior to installation. (Photo # NY8-11733).

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, September 22, 1954. New bow section in place. (Photo # NY8-11734).

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, September 22, 1954. Installation of new bow section. (Photo # NY8-11735).

Seattle Branch of the National Archives photo.

Color postcard of Lexington at the time she was completing her SCB-27C and -125 modernizations. Shangri-La (CVA-38) and Midway (CVA-41) appear just behind her. This photo would have been taken in the summer of 1955, given the presence of Midway and the clear skies in Bremerton. The other Essex-class carrier, in the background, is probably Yorktown (CVA-10), which finished her own SCB-125 conversion in October 1955.

Ektachrome photo by Roger G. Ewbank, published by J. Boyd Ellis, Arlington, Washington.

USS Lexington (CVA-16) steams out of the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, circa September 1955, headed for her initial sea trials after SCB-27C & -125 conversions. USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42), in the background, is well into her SCB-110 modernization. USS Midway (CVA-41), in the middle distance, is in the very early stages of (or being prepared for) her own SCB-110.

This photo appeared on "Naval Aviation News," November 1955 issue, and on "Our Navy" magazine, 15 February 1957.

USS Lexington (CVA-16) arriving in San Francisco Bay, California, circa early 1958, after a four and one-half month overhaul at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington. The "Lady Lex" has the letters "USO" spelled out on her flight deck by members of her crew, in observance of the United Services Organization fundraising drive then being conducted. Note automobiles parked aft, and a wingless UF Albatross behind the island. The original print has the date 8 May 1958 stamped on its reverse.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (photo # NH 97496).

USS Lexington (CVA-16) underway in WestPac waters, with Carrier Air Group 21 (CVG-21), August 16, 1958. Just eight days later, on August 24, Communist Chinese artillery began shelling the Nationalist Chinese islands of Quemoy and Matsu, prompting Blue Ghost's deployment to the Taiwan Straits at various times during the next four months, along with other units of the Seventh Fleet.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# CVA-16-2720-(L)-8-58).

Another photo of USS Lexington (CVA-16) underway with Carrier Air Group 21 (CVG-21), probably taken during the same deployment (July 14–December 19, 1958; see NS021638).

USS Lexington (CVA-16) underway with Carrier Air Group 21 (CVG-21), circa 1958.

"SAN FRANCISCO from the BAY—The natural deep water port of San Francisco could anchor all the 'Flat Tops' and all the navies of the world with room to spare. The City of San Francisco and adjacent areas house about 2,500,000 persons." USS Lexington, late 50s–early 60s.

USS Lexington (CVA-16) underway, probably during (or shortly before or after) her 1961–62 WestPac cruise.

A nice view of USS Lexington underway as a training carrier, sometime in the 1960s.

Grumman S-2D Tracker anti-submarine aircraft on the port catapult of USS Lexington (CVS-16), 22 January 1963. The Catapult Officer is at left, giving the "launch" signal.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (photo # NH 97498).

USS Lexington (CVS-16) underway on 15 July 1963, with twenty-six T-28 training planes parked forward and amidships. At this time, Naval Academy midshipmen were riding the ship to observe carrier qualifications.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1086588).

An A-7A Corsair II of VA-174 "Hell Razors" ready to be launched. VA-174, the East Coast A-7 Readiness Air Group (RAG), operated A-7A's from October 1966–July 1968.

USS Lexington (CVT-16), 1969–1978.

USS Lexington (CVT-16), sometime in the 1970s.

Flight deck activity during the 1970s or 1980s. A TA-4J Skyhawk is parked in the center, as another passes overhead.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (photo # NH 97497).

USS Lexington (AVT-16) underway with two Rockwell T-2C Buckeyes of VT-26, based at NAS Chase Field, Beeville, TX, flying overhead, date (1970s–1980s) and location unknown.

The 250,000th arrested landing was made on the USS Lexington (AVT-16) on June 17, 1969, by CAPT Wayne E. Hammett and CDR Donald Jensen (CO of VT-4 training squadron) in a T-2B Buckeye.

Commemorating the 300,000th landing on the USS Lexington.

Tim McGuire notes: "The date was 22 May 1972. They had a big celebration on the flight deck: big cake for all the Air Dept. I was there, somewhere in this picture."

Tom Sawyer comments: "I was serving aboard as a MM3 in Main Control at the time. Better than average chances I was on throttles at the time."

"In 1972, I was stationed on the Lexington (CVT-16) as a PH3. President Richard Nixon asked Don Garlits to do a "Fly Navy Promo" with his car the Swamp Rat 16. We photographers mates were allowed to photograph the scene while assisting the photographers from "Hot Rod" Magazine. We had to swear we would not sell the photographs we took to any other magazines. This is my shot of the Swamp Rat 16 on the flight deck of the Lexington," [ready to race an A-7E Corsair II of VA-81 "Sunliners."]

William Carter Fields adds: "The Catapult Officer is LCDR Mckinney, Flight deck Photographer (back to camera) is PH2 John Signaigo, Phone Talker is AN Parrish. I was Flight Deck Control Phone talker when the photo shoot was done."

USS Lexington (AVT-16) underway in the Gulf of Mexico, 1978.

Port bow view of the auxiliary aircraft landing training ship USS Lexington (AVT-16) docked at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida, October 1980. U.S. Navy photo.

USS Lexington (AVT-16) arriving in Pensacola, near the end of her career.

A Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk aircraft of Training Wing TW-3 waits behind the blast deflector for its turn at the catapult as another Skyhawk clears the flight deck of the auxiliary aircraft landing training ship USS Lexington (AVT-16) during pilot carrier training, 1 April 1989. Photo by Jim Bryant. U.S. Defense Visual Information Center photo # DN-ST-89-08973.

This picture was taken in July 2005, from the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi.

USS Lexington Museum, 19 September 2009.

USS Lexington Museum, 19 September 2009.

Brochure.

"Welcome Aboard.".