General History: USS Lexington (CV-2)

[@davidvavra9113]

My friend Cecil Wiswell passed away in April, age almost 97. In May of 1942 he was 17 and one of the youngest sailors aboard Lexington, and became one of the longest living survivors. He told me stories, some from the battle. What a grend old guy! His truck's license plate read. LEX-CV2 And, as a 90th birthday present to himself, Cecil bought a Harley, whixh he rode until his balance grew too bad. I last saw him in January, it had snowed and he had shoveled. At 96.

[@73Trident]

God bless Cecil and God Speed sailor.

[@KM-nj3cm]

My Grandpa was also on the USS Lexington. He died when I was a child, due to leukemia from the A bomb testing. My Mom says he refused to talk about what happened on the ship.

[@barneymiller6204]

Cecil was a neighbor of mine, and yes he was a friendly guy and loved to talk and tell you stories. He was a good neighbor and I miss him.

[@memadmax69]

I was stationed in Bremerton back in 2001 and its amazing how the piers and buildings are still essentially the same today.

[@jarvisfamily3837]

Robert A. Heinlein, who became a well-known science fiction writer in later years, served aboard Lexington for a few years following his graduation from Annapolis in 1929.

[@anthonyg9739]

Really! Fascinating, I've read the stories since I was old enough to hold a book. Awesome to know this, thank you.

[@edwardpate6128]

To me they are two of the best looking carriers ever! Their turbo-electric drive was very innovative for 100+ years ago as well.

[@vernonloften5248]

As a civilian in 1987-88 I was able to board her at Pensacola in her role as a training ship. Was really there to visit the naval aviation museum but when I was alerted to the fact you could visit her at the docks I for sure did. Smelled like fuel and huge as I had imagined. What a treat.

[@brucewelty7684]

When I was but a wee lad, 5 years or so of age, one of my Dad's friends, by the name of Sam Tate, was on the Lex that day in the Coral Sea. That is all that I know of his WWII wartime service, though.

[@BobSmith-dk8nw]

My understanding was that it was the Aircraft Refueling Lines running from the Aviation Fuel Tanks - throughout the ship to various refueling points - that had cracked - and thus spread fuel fumes thought out the ship. An Officer on _Yorktown_ - recognized this - and from then on American Carriers going to Battle Stations such as _Yorktown_ at Midway - would pump fire fighting foam into those refueling lines and what happened to _Lexington_ - never happened again - though it did happen to some Japanese ships. .

[@alephalon7849]

Lady Lex truly lived up to her elegant moniker. And it's interesting to learn how she was the first aircraft carrier to ever respond to a disaster, starting a tradition that continues to this day.

[@daduronronron3955]

I had the distinct honor to deal blackjack to a crew member of the 'Lady Lex'. He told me some stories about what life was like on board her. He called her a 'beautiful ship'. He wasnt on board during Coral Sea so he didnt see her go down. I compared her to the O.H. Perry frigate I spent time on. The experience didnt even sound close. Of course times were different back then and there was no guarantees that the sea ways were uncontested. It was an experience Ill never forget.

[@robertsolomielke5134]

TY for the AA details . Her hottest design feature is the "balcony" of .50 cal MG's around her funnel . Why do historians never point them out ? too polite ?

[@Straswa]

Great vid Skynea, thanks for the quality upload.

[@jeffreybraunjr3962]

I love conversion carriers!

[@Straswa]

I as well, the French carrier Bearn is one of my favorite conversions.

[@randyhavard6084]

Even modern ships are capable of supplying power to shore facilities in case of emergency. Keeping certain industries and hospitals running may be more important than the deployment of a ship.

[@achdumeineguete]

A pity Saratoga has not been preserved. Very nice ships!

[@m.streicher8286]

I like the names Saratoga and Lexington, but "Constellation" might be the best name for a carrier ever.

[@marckyle5895]

It was a pretty good name for CV-64.

[@RFMaster6]

They were never former battle cruisers. They were redesigned from battle cruisers into aircraft carriers.

[@billotto602]

It was my privilege to serve on board her several times 1976 - 1977. My wife & I saw her in 2020. Such memories.

[@kevinhaywood1268]

Wrong Lexington.

[@Joaquin602001]

Wrong USS Lexington buddy.

[@billotto602]

@@Joaquin602001 actually no. I served aboard the Essex class Lexington & this is the one this video is about.

[@Joaquin602001]

@@billotto602 no it isn’t, this is about the Lexington class CV2 that the Essex class CV16 is named in honour of. CV16 is named at the end of this video, yes, but this is about the one sunk in combat in May 1942.

[@billotto602]

@@Joaquin602001 and sir, it was CV-16 I was referring to. No hard feelings here. Just a misunderstanding that I'm probably guilty of starting. My apologies. 🫡 🇺🇸

[@brianwolle2509]

wonderful

[@danielworsham5609]

My Great Uncle was a KIA of the battle. SK3 Roscoe Fortner.

[@Straswa]

Condolences to your family.

[@jacobwatts202]

what i head as the ship went down the some sailors decided to get some ice cream as they jumped into the water

[@tylermcneill]

🎉 great 😅

[@briancooper2112]

Langley was user for decades.

[@NashmanNash]

To be fair...the US CHEATED on the WNT by using the refit clause on the Lexingtons...since it was meant for already completed ships :D

[@gordonsmith4884]

All the nations cheated accept the U.K. Although the negotiators managed to get some clauses accepted that (Ahem) favoured the R.N. Ministers of the crown never lie, they may not always be familiar with the actuality of the truth however.😇

[@johnhallett5846]

really then I guess pretty much everyone cheated then

[@NashmanNash]

@@johnhallett5846 The french and the british cheated the least...the made the rules fit them in the first place