USS Lexington, Corpus Christi, Texas
historic place
In Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Texas, stands the USS Lexington, an Essex-class aircraft carrier. Commissioned in February 1943, she served in nearly every major Pacific campaign of World War II. The Japanese nicknamed her 'The Blue Ghost' because she always reappeared after being reported sunk. From 1962 to 1991, Lexington was the U.S. Navy's training carrier. In 1980, she became the first aircraft carrier to have women as crew members. Decommissioned in November 1991, the USS Lexington arrived in Corpus Christi in 1992 as a museum ship. She was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2003, and a Texas Historical Commission marker was erected in 2021. This vessel highlights the evolution of naval aviation and its personnel.