Ship History
Laid down on January 8, 1921 by Fore River Shipbuilding Company, at Quincy, Massachusetts. Following the Washington Naval Conference, they were both redesignated and re-authorized to be completed as aircraft carriers on 1 July 1922.

Launched on October 3, 1925, sponsored by Mrs. Theodore Douglas Robinson (wife of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy), and commissioned December 14, 1927 with Captain Albert W. Marshall in command. Lexington received two battle stars for her World War II service.

Prewar
After fitting out and shakedown, Lexington joined the Battle Fleet at San Pedro, California on 7 April 1928. Based there, she operated on the west coast with Aircraft Squadrons, Battle Fleet, in flight training, tactical exercises, and battle problems. Each year, she participated in fleet maneuvers in Hawaii, in the Caribbean, off the Panama Canal Zone, and in the eastern Pacific. On trials, Lexington achieved an average speed of 30.7 knots (35.3 mph, 56.9 km/h), and maintained a speed of 34.5 kn (39.7 mph, 63.9 km/h) for one hour.

The Captain of the vessel in 1930 and 1931 was Ernest King, who was later to serve as the Chief of Naval Operations during the WWII. Lexington was one of fourteen ships to receive the early RCA CXAM-1 Radar.

During July 1937, aircraft from the Lexington, escorted by USS Lamson DD-367 participated in the futile search for Model 10 Electra 1055 piloted by Amelia Earhart.

Wartime History
During autumn 1941, she proceeded with battle force to Hawaii for tactical exercises. On December 7, 1941, Lexington was at sea with Task Force 12 transporting Marine aircraft from Pearl Harbor to Midway when word of the Japanese attack was received. She immediately launched search planes to hunt for the Japanese fleet, and at midmorning headed south to rendezvous with USS Indianapolis and USS Enterprise task forces to conduct a search southwest of Oahu until returning to Pearl Harbor on December 13.

Lexington sailed next day to raid Japanese forces on Jaluit, but the raid was canceled on 20 December, and she was directed to cover the Saratoga force in reinforcing Wake but when the island fell on December 23, carrier forces were recalled to Pearl Harbor, arriving on December 27.

1942
Lexington patrolled to block enemy attacks on Oahu, Johnston or Palmyra until January 11, 1942, when she sailed from Pearl Harbor as flagship for Vice Admiral Wilson Brown commanding Task Force 11.

On 16 February, the force headed for Rabaul, for an attack scheduled for February 21. But, while approaching on February 20, Lexington was attacked by two waves of enemy aircraft. The carrier's combat air patrol and antiaircraft fire shot down 17 of the attackers, including Lt. Edward "Butch" O'Hare piloting an F4F Wildcat downing five planes and earned the Medal of Honor.

Offensive patrols in the Coral Sea continued, as part of the ANZAC Squadron, until 6 March, when she rendezvoused with Yorktown's Task Force 17 for a surprise attack launced from the Gulf of Papua over the Owen Stanley Mountains in New Guinea to strike Salamaua and Lae on 10 March. She then returned to Pearl Harbor, arriving 26 March.

Lexington's task force sortied from Pearl Harbor on 15 April. She went through a short overhaul, during which her 8 inch turrets were removed and replaced by quadruple 1.1 inch anti-aircraft guns. She rejoined TF 17 on 1 May.

Battle of the Coral Sea
Lexington and Yorktown moved into the Coral Sea to search for the enemy's force. At the start of the Battle of the Coral Sea on May 7, 1942, search planes reported contact with an enemy carrier task force. Lexington's aircraft sank Shōhō. Later that day, 12 bombers and 15 torpedo planes from Shōkaku and Zuikaku were intercepted by fighter groups from Lexington and Yorktown, which shot down nine enemy aircraft.

On the morning of the 8th, a Lexington plane located Shōkaku; a strike was immediately launched from the American carriers, and the Japanese carrier was heavily damaged.

Sinking History
Japanese planes penetrated American defenses at 1100, and 20 minutes later Lexington was struck by a torpedo to port. Seconds later, a second torpedo hit her portside directly abeam the bridge. At the same time, she took three bomb hits from enemy dive bombers, producing a 7 degree list to port and several raging fires. By 1300, skilled damage control had brought the fires under control and restored her to an even keel; making 25 knots and was ready to recover her air group. Lexington was suddenly shaken by a tremendous explosion, caused by the ignition of gasoline vapors below, and again fire raged out of control. At 1558, Captain Frederick Carl Sherman, fearing for the safety of men working below, secured salvage operations, and ordered all hands to the flight deck. At 1701, he ordered "abandon ship" and the orderly disembarkation began.

Men going over the side into the warm water were almost immediately picked up by nearby cruisers and destroyers. Admiral Aubrey Wray Fitch and his staff transferred to USS Minneapolis; Captain Sherman and his executive officer, Commander Morton T. Seligman ensured all their men were safe, then were the last to leave.

Lexington continued to burn, flames shooting hundreds of feet into the air. To prevent enemy capture, USS Phelps closed to 1500 yards and fired two torpedoes into her hull; with one last heavy explosion, Lexington sank at 1956 at aproximate position 15°20′S 155°30′E.

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?

Last Updated
October 19, 2009