Visiting the USS Lexington WWII Aircraft Carrier

Museum on the Bay

WWII Aircraft Carrier USS Lexington. Photo Copyright Julia A. Keirns

When I choose an area to visit I always look around at what there is to see. The first thing at the top of my list is always military history and national landmarks. When I saw that the USS Lexington was only a half an hour away from where we are parked, I knew that was the first thing I wanted to see.

Corpus Christi, Texas is the permanent home of this magnificent ship. What a sight it was to behold as we came across the bridge and saw it for the first time.

The first thing I had to do when we boarded the ship was go to the bathroom. I spent so much time in there Rich was beginning to wonder if I was okay. There were tons of posters and things to read down there.

Women in the Navy sign. Photo copyright Julia A. Keirns

Did you know that the Lexington was the first aircraft carrier to have women stationed on it? Women were first stationed on the Lexington on July 19, 1980, and by 1989 there were 273 enlisted women on board and 16 women officers.

The hangar deck is the first deck we were on as we boarded. We saw the “Fog Bell,” the “Poop Deck,” and put Rich in the “Brig.”

Rich in the Brig. Photo copyright Julia A. Keirns

There is also a huge model of the USS South Dakota Battleship on board.

Model of the USS South Dakota Battleship. Photo copyright Julia A. Keirns

We toured the Captain’s Cabin and Quarters. When Rich saw the stairs going up he said, “You aren’t going to want to climb those.” I said, “Oh yes, I do.” And up we went. The day we were there, the elevator and escalator were not working. We did it, but now my legs feel like jello.

We walked out onto the Flight Deck and saw aircraft, anti-aircraft guns, the navigation bridge, and the plank. I tried to make Rich walk the plank and he said no. We saw an F/A-18 Hornet, the Topgun F-14 Tomcat, an AH-1S Cobra Helicopter, and lots more.

AH-1S Cobra Helicopter. Photo copyright Julia A. Keirns

I took a lot of pictures but I don’t want to give it all away. This is one place you simply must visit for yourself. The cost to enter is minimal but if you have the National Park Pass you get in for free. And don’t believe all the hype about it being haunted. We didn’t see any ghosts at all the day we were there.

Follow me and stay tuned for information about more of the exciting places we visit while we are in Texas — living the dream in our motorhome.