CV-2 was named to commemorate the events of 19 April 1775: Minutemen fought a detachment of British troops at Lexington, Mass., opening the Revolutionary War with the "shot heard round the world."

Three previous American warships had borne the name:

1. A Continenal Navy brigantine.
2. A sloop.
3. A side-wheel gunboat.

"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 and Records Administration image 200(S)-JH-3.

Map NS020281a courtesy of the National Park Service.

Rear Admiral David W. Taylor, USN (left), Chief of the Bureau of Construction and Repair, and Rear Admiral John K. Robison, USN (right), Chief of the Bureau of Engineering, hold a model of the battle cruisers (CC-1 class) then under construction, 8 March 1922. In the foreground is a model of an aircraft carrier design converted from the battle cruiser hull. This photo illustrates the genesis of the Lexington-class aircraft carrier design. Standing in the background are (from left to right): Rear Admiral William A. Moffett, USN, Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics; Congressman Frederick C. Hicks, of New York; Congressman Clark Burdick, of Rhode Island; and Congressman Philip D. Swing, of California. Photographed at the Navy Department by Harris & Ewing.

Photograph from Department of the Navy collections in the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (# 80-CF-395b).

Contract design for the Lexington and the Saratoga, 1922. The oval opening right aft is for twin torpedo tubes.

Line drawing by A.D. Baker, III. Drawing and text from U.S. Aircraft Carriers: An Illustrated Design History, by Norman Friedman.

Lexington on the building ways at the Fore River Shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts, shortly before her launching, circa late September or early October 1925. Taken by a photographer from Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New Jersey.

Photograph from Department of the Navy collections in the U.S. National Archives (# 80-CF-21126-7).

"ALL READY FOR A FEW AIRPLANES. The Navy's second huge aircraft carrier, the Lexington, ready for launching at the Fall River shipyards, Quincy, Mass., October 3. The craft will carry 72 airplanes—when the Navy gets the planes. Mrs. Robinson, wife of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, will act as sponsor of the Lexington." The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., Wednesday, September 30, 1925.

Launching the future USS Lexington (CV-2) at Fore River Shipbuilding Corp., Quincy, Mass. Saturday, 3 October 1925.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photos.

NS0202ay: Catalog # 80-CF-21126-4.

NS0202aya: Catalog # 80-CF-21126-2.

NS0202ayb: Catalog # 80-CF-21126-3.

NS0202ayf: Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum photo.

NS0202ayc: Catalog # 80-CF-21126-1.

NS0202ayd: Catalog # 80-CF-21126-6.

Launching the future USS Lexington (CV-2).

Courtesy of Thomas Crane Public Library.

"Launch Huge Airplane Carrier; Has Speed of 39 Miles an Hour"

"Capable of a speed of 33 knots, nearly 39 miles an hour, the new airplane carrier Lexington of the United States Navy, launched yesterday at Quincy, Mass., is, with her sister ship, the Saratoga, the fastest of all warships save destroyers."

"The Lexington, fourth ship in the United States Navy to bear that name, was built by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation at the Fore River Plant. Originally designed as a battle cruiser, she was changed to an airplane carrier under the Washington Conference agreements of 1922."

"The vessel is 888 feet long, almost as large as the Berengaria, has a capacity for 70 airplanes and carries 8 8-inch guns and 12 5-inch anti-aircraft rifles. Her 190,000 horsepower exceeds the combined rated powers of the six battleships, New Mexico, California, Tennessee, Maryland, Colorado and West Virginia. She is electrically driven."

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, New York, Sunday, October 4, 1925.

Lexington (CV-2) fitting out at the Bethlehem Steel Company shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts.

Lexington (CV-2) in the final states of fitting out, at the Bethlehem Steel Company shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts, in November 1927. (Merchant ship partially visible at right is the S.S. West Grama, which served as USS West Grama (ID # 3794) in 1919.)

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph (# NH 51323).

"Huge $39,000,000 Sea Fortress—Lexington, Greatest Ship of All Time, Ready to Ride Waves With Cargo of Airplanes"

John explains: "[S]can of a newspaper clipping and photo regarding the USS Lexington CV-2 [...] I received if from my grandmother when she passed away. It shows CAPT (Louis) Shane, who was in overall charge of the construction of the Lexington CV-2, next to CAPT Marshall, who would be its first commander. Unfortunately the clipping does not say the name of the newspaper or have the date but given Commissioning was Dec 14, 1927, I presume it's between Dec 7 and 13, 1927. The entire article goes into how the Navy will accept the ship and it will be commissioned the next Wednesday. It's certainly from a local Boston or Quincy, MA newspaper because it speaks to the local residence of the area who have watched the ship grow over the years at the Quincy shipyard."

"U.S.S. Lexington, Giant Navy Plane Carrier.
About to enter Dry Dock, So. Boston, Jan. 10th, 1928"

A picture that Dave's father, Raymond Garner, purchased from an entrepreneurial photographer who was selling this photo to young seamen as they reported for duty aboard the Lex on the date shown in the photo.

Because of the odd size of the photo (24" X 7.5"), Dave had to scan two images and put them together.

Dave notes three things that stand out in this photo to make it unique:

• The 1920s cars on the left
• The difference in the size of the Lex and the freighters on the right
• The shape of the bow due to these early "Plane Carriers" being constructed on cruiser hulls

"USS Lexington sails into South Boston drydock," [10] January 1928.

BPL accession # 08_06_022441.

"Stern view of USS Lexington (CV-2) in Dry Dock 3 at the South Boston Annex, Boston Navy Yard, 10 January 1928. U.S. Navy photo, Boston National Historical Park Collection (NPS Cat. No. 11787)."

"USS Lexington (CV-2) being settled in Dry Dock 3 at the South Boston Annex, Boston Navy Yard, 10 January 1928. U.S. Navy photo, Boston National Historical Park Collection (NPS Cat. No. 11787)."

USS Lexington (CV-2), bow view, in drydock #3 at Boston Navy Yard, 11 January 1928.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 19-LC-3260, Box 23.

"Bow view of USS Lexington (CV-2) in Dry Dock 3 at the South Boston Annex, Boston Navy Yard, 12 January 1928. Steam-powered Portal Crane 50 is at left. U.S. Navy photo, Boston National Historical Park Collection (NPS Cat. No. 11787)."

"View of port side of USS Lexington (CV-2) in Dry Dock 3 at the South Boston Annex, Boston Navy Yard, 12 January 1928. U.S. Navy photo, (Boston NY photo # 10676), Boston National Historical Park Collection (NPS Cat. No. 11787)."

USS Lexington (CV-2) in South Boston drydock, January 1928.

"USS Lexington in drydock," 18 January 1928.

BPL accession # 08_06_022569.

"DC-552298-MISSING NAVY FLYER.-Commander T[heodore] G[ordon] Ellyson, executive officer of the plane carrier USS Lexington and the Navy's senior flying officer, who took off with two companions from Hampton Roads, Va., Monday afternoon [27 February 1928] in an amphibian plane for Annapolis, Md., and has not been heard from since.-"

"Photo shows Commander T.G. Ellyson.-"

"CDR Theodore Gordon 'Spuds' Ellyson, the Executive Officer of the aircraft carrier Lexington and Senior Flying Officer, was killed on 27 February 1928, his 43rd birthday, in the crash of a Loening OL-7 aircraft in the lower Chesapeake Bay along with his crew while on a night flight from Norfolk, Virginia, to Annapolis, Maryland. His body washed ashore and was recovered in April 1928. He was buried in the Naval Academy Cemetery, in Annapolis."

USS Lexington (CV-2) in March 1928, during a nine-day scheduled visit to deliver aircraft to NAS Pensacola, Florida. The ship anchored eight miles out in the Gulf of Mexico because she could not enter Pensacola Bay. Lexington delivered seven T3M-1 bombers and six F6C-4 Curtiss Hawk fighters. At the time, she was the largest ship ever to sail the Gulf of Mexico.

From the University of West Florida, I.D. - uwf_PF160_Item_043 (IID).

Famous aviator Charles A. Lindbergh, who made the first non-stop flight from New York to Paris (20–21 May 1927) visits USS Lexington (CV-2). Exact date (15 April 1928?) and location (California?) unknown. Lexington's commanding officer, CAPT Albert W. Marshall, and executive officer, CDR Newton H. White, Jr. give Lindbergh a tour of the ship.

Location and date unknown, pre-war image (poor).

USS Lexington (CV-2) in dry dock at Hunters Point, California, apparently early in her career (late 1920s). At the time, Hunters Point was owned by Bethlehem Shipbuilding. (Thanks to Darryl Baker, who identified the location of this photo.)

Courtesy of Gallica, Bibliothèque Nationale de France.

Passing through Culebra Cut, Panama Canal, (date unknown but, as deduced from the forward end of her flight deck, taken before her 1936 refit).

"The Lexington, 33,000-ton airplane-carrier of the U.S. Fleet in the Miraflores Locks, Panama Canal," 1920s–mid-1930s.

"'A close squeeze.' U.S.S. Lexington. 33,000 ton aeroplane carrier, going through Miraflores Locks, Panama Canal."

Color version of the photo above.

USS Lexington (CV-2) off Panama City, Panama, 25 March 1928, during her shakedown period.

Collection of Franklin Moran, 1967.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. (# NH 64500).

NS020295: Battle Practice," circa 1928. Note VB-1B "Red Ripper" F6C in the foreground, and a Lexington-class carrier steaming in the background.

NS020295a: Captain's inspection.

NS020295b: T4M torpedo-bomber, VT-1B squadron, launching from USS Lexington (CV-2), circa 1928–1930.

From the service photo album of Lance's grandfather, who served aboard Lexington until March 1931.

Curtiss F6C fighters (lower right) and Martin T3M torpedo planes on the carrier's flight deck, as she arrives off San Diego, California, on her maiden cruise, 4 April 1928. Note lowered elevator.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. (# NH 51380).

Twin 8"/55 gun mount, No.3.

Forward 8"/55 gun mounts, island, and stack block.

USS Lexington (CV-2) in Miraflores Locks, Panama Canal.

RADM Joseph M. Reeves and CAPT (later RADM) Albert W. Marshall, first commanding officer of USS Lexington (CV-2).

Vought UO-1 unarmed observation seaplane, # A-6994.

RADM Joseph M. Reeves inspecting crew of USS Lexington (CV-2).

RADM Albert W. Marshall reading his orders.

CAPT Frank D. Berrien reading his orders.

Left to right: RADM Albert W. Marshall, outgoing commanding officer; CAPT Frank D. Berrien, incoming commanding officer; CDR Newton H. White, executive officer.

RADM Albert W. Marshall, outgoing Commanding Officer, and CAPT Frank D. Berrien, incoming Commanding Officer of USS Lexington (CV-2).

Left to right: CDR Newton H. White, Executive Officer, USS Lexington; CDR Eugene E. Wilson, staff of Commander, Aircraft Squadrons, Battle Fleet; RADM Joseph M. Reeves, Commander, Aircraft Squadrons, Battle Fleet; RADM Albert W. Marshall, Commander, Aircraft Squadrons, Scouting Fleet; and CAPT Frank D. Berrien, Commanding Officer, USS Lexington.

USS Lexington (CV-2), left, and USS Saratoga (CV-3), right, moored at Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington, 22 September 1928. Note Sara had a walkway on the face of her stack—one of the few distinguishing features between these otherwise nearly identical twins. She did not have her distinctive black stripe on the funnel yet. This was added after their first Fleet Problem participation in January 1929.

"FIRST PICTURE OF LEX AND SARA TOGETHER"

"Uncle Sam's $100,000,000 sisters pose for their first picture together. The giant new airplane carriers Lexington (left), and Saratoga, tied up at the Puget Sound Navy Yard at Bremerton, Wash., where they are undergoing engine readjustments to bring their speed up to the specified figure. This is the first time since they were launched that the big ships have been close enough to be photographed together."

Evening Star, Washington DC, 24 September 1928.

USS Lexington (CV-2) early in her career (probably around 1928–29).

USS Lexington (CV-2) in the Pedro Miguel locks, just north of Miraflores, Panama Canal, headed for the Pacific (probably around 1928–29).

Launching Martin T4M-1 torpedo planes, circa 1929.

Naval History and Heritage Command (NH&HC) photograph, # NH 82117 (Collection of LCDR Abraham DeSomer, donated by Myles DeSomer, 1975).

Perhaps during Fleet Problem IX, off Panama, January 1929.

An early photo of USS Lexington (CV-2) at Panama, dated 22 February 1929, in full dress for George Washington's Birthday. Probably an official USN photo.

USS Lexington (CV-2) steams through an aircraft-deployed smoke screen, 26 February 1929, shortly after that year's "Fleet Problem" exercises.

Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, D.C. Collection of Admiral William V. Pratt.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. (# NH 75714).

USS Lexington (CV-2) underway. Date appears to be 28 May 1929.

San Diego Air & Space Museum photo, Catalog #: SHIPS00206, John Armen Torigian Collection.

USS Lexington (CV-2), top; USS Saratoga (CV-3), with her distinctive funnel stripe; and USS Langley (CV-1), accross the pier from Saratoga. Bremerton, Washington, 11 November 1929.

As above, cropped.

The Navy's first three aircraft carriers docked at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington, circa 1930 (approximately at the same time as the photo above). Ships are, from front: USS Langley (CV-1), USS Saratoga (CV-3), and USS Lexington (CV-2).

Courtesy of Chief Photographer John L. Highfill, USN ret.

Naval History & Heritage Command photo, # NH 95037

Visitors aboard USS Lexington (CV-2) examining one of the ship's 8-inch forward twin gun mounts, 23 December 1929. The ship was moored in Tacoma, Washington, assisting the city by producing power. The Navy permitted some tours of the ship and these three ladies, Ethel Haasarud, Freda Gardner and Naomi Dykeman were judges in the City's upcoming Chamber of Commerce dance, to be held for Navy enlisted personnel on 26 December.

Tacoma Public Library, Chapin Bowen Collection, G71.1-123.

Front view of the island of USS Lexington (CV-2), 1929–1933.

From the collection of RADM Theodore R. Frederick.

From 17 December 1929 to 16 January 1930 USS Lexington supplied electrical power to Tacoma, Washington, when this city suffered a power shortage. The electricity from the carrier totaled more than 4.25 million kilowatt-hours.

Further reading at the Researcher @ Large website.

USS Los Angeles (ZR-3) flies over ships of the U.S. Fleet, circa 1930. Photographed from on board the airship, with two of her engine cars in the foreground. Ships below are USS Patoka (AO-9), closest to the camera, and the aircraft carriers Lexington (CV-2) and Saratoga (CV-3).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-462136).

This is a 1930 photo of USS Lexington (CV-2), reportedly at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

From the LT Howard Havens Photo Collection, now held by the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum.

USS Lexington (CV-2) in Panama, June 1930.

San Diego Air & Space Museum photo, ID 63591649, John Armen Torigian Collection.

USS Lexington (CV-2) underway and launching aircraft, early-to-mid 1930s.

Ship's crew and personnel of her aircraft squadrons posed on the flight deck, circa the 1930s. View looks forward from atop her smokestack.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. (# NH 51384).

USS Lexington (CV-2) sailing past Waikiki Beach, Hawaii, circa early 1930s.

"The plane carrier Lexington leads the way. A view along the sweeping deck of the carrier, with a column of battleships following in her wake off Panama."

The Sunday Star, Washington, D.C., Sunday, 29 March 1931.

"Uncle Sam's Sea-Going Airport—Her deck dotted with wasp-like fighting planes, the U.S. airship carrier Lexington is shown in this striking photo as she appears from the sky. There are 55 planes aboard her—count 'em. The big floating airport is seen moored in San Francisco Bay."

Imperial Valley Press, El Centro, California, Thursday, 3 September 1931.

Boeing F3B-1s of Bombing Squadron 2 (VB-2B) in USS Lexington's hangar, seen from a lift well; Vought O2U Corsair observation floatplanes of Observation Squadron 3 (VS-3B) are stowed aft. Photo taken sometime between June 1931 and June 1933. US Navy photo.

Ships of the United States Fleet pictured at anchor inside the breakwater at Colon, Canal Zone, 1933. Identifiable ships include the aircraft carriers Lexington (CV-2), Langley (CV-1), and Saratoga (CV-3), as well as the battleships Texas (BB-35) and New York (BB-34). Omaha-class and Pensacola-class cruisers are also visible.

National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM) photo (# 1996.488.001.006).

"In Tribute To Captain King," The Observer of the U.S. Aircraft Carrier Lexington, vol. V, No.5, Bremerton, Washington, 31 May 1932.

United States Navy Magazine, 5 August 1933. "Lexington Wins Championship."

"Commander-in-Chief Special Edition," The Observer of the U.S.S. Lexington, vol. VI, No.46, San Pedro, California, 16 March 1934.

List of Ships Present—Gonaives, Haiti—16 May 1934.

"UNITED STATES FLEET"
AIRCRAFT, BATTLE FORCE
U.S.S. LEXINGTON"

"Port au Prince, Haiti,
20 May 1934."

"MEMO FOR ALL HANDS IN OFFICE:"

1. "At reveille, tomorrow Monday, 21 May, all hands in the office will turn to in the office, getting it ready for Admiral's Inspection. No one is excused. Yeomen will not fiddle around at their own desks, but will turn to and assist in cleaning up the entire office. The office will be in all respects ready for inspection at 0815."
2. "Yeomen and messengers are advised to shave tonight Sunday, so as to be available for work in the office tomorrow Monday at reveille."

"SCHMIDT, H.A.A, CY(PA), US Navy, put this out the day before the Admiral's inspection and Tim countersigned the copies we brought into the office. Pretty good huh? Maybe you don't gather the full significance of the Memo, inasmuch as you do not know Schmidt personally."

"NAVY CREWS NICKNAME FLATTOPS"

"Ever since the Navy put some planks on its old collier Jupiter and renamed her the aircraft carrier Langley, Navy men have been giving their ships nicknames. The Langley, appropriately enough, soon was dubbed the Covered Wagon.
The old Lexington was called Lex or Minute Man, (I called her Lady Lex),
the Enterprise the Big E, although some Essex men also called CV-9 that,
the Saratoga was the Sara, the Old Lady or Sara Maru, later Reluctant Dragon,
the Bon Homme Richard is the Bonnie Dick or Big Dick,
the CVE Salerno Bay the Sally Bee,
the CVE Kadashan Bay the Katy Bee,
the Valley Forge is the Happy Valley,
the Franklin is the Big Ben,
the Ticonderoga is the Big T,
the Philippine Sea was the Show Boat, mostly Phil Sea by her crew,
the Tarawa was the Terrible T,
the new Lexington was the Blue Ghost,
the Randolph was the Randy or Rudolph,
the CVB Franklin D. Roosevelt the FDR, the Rosy Boat or Foo Dee Roo, Frooty-Roo
the Badoeng Strait is the Bing Ding,
the CVB41Midway for a time was the Medway from her Mediterranean cruises,
the Princeton is known as the Sweet Pea,
the Wasp was the Bumble Bee or Stinger,
the Hornet was the Shangri La ship,
the Shangri La has no nickname as yet,
the CVL Cabot was the Iron Lady,
the Boxer is the Busy Bee,
the Kearsarge soon became the Corsage,
the Hancock won the label of Fighting Hannah,
the new Yorktown liked the Fighting Lady because part of that movie was made on her, the old Yorktown was the Yorky Maru,
the Ranger was the Ranga Maru,
the Essex-class Antietam used Go Get'em Antietam,
the CVL Cowpens went as the Mighty Moo and painted a bull on her superstruc[ture]
the CVL Monterey was the Mighty Monty,
the CVL Bataan was CVL-AA from TF58 battles and the Battling Bat,
the CVL San Jacinto shortened her name to San Jack,
the Leyte is the Leading Leyte,
the Mindoro called itself the Might[y] Minnie,
the CVE Bogue was the Bounding Bogue from the way she waddled in swells,
the CVE Prince William was the Pee Willie,
the CV Intrepid was the Increpid, Insipid, Dry I, Pond Lily and Decrepit from her habit of getting torpedoed or hit by bombs."

A Martin BM-1, of VT-1S, takes off over the ship's stern, on 17 May 1934.

Naval History & Heritage Command (NH&HC) photo, # NH 51365.

Three photos of USS Lexington (CV-2) taken before her 1935 refit at Puget Sound Navy Yard, as indicated by the absence of the four sponsons (two forward, two aft) installed to augment her anti-aircraft armament.

USS Lexington (CV-2). Pre-war postcard.

USS Lexington (CV-2) at anchor, location and date unknown (prior to her 1936–37 refit, as shown by the shape of the forward part of the flight deck). Note one of her fighters has just been launched.

USS Los Angeles (ZR-3) (center distance) moored to USS Patoka (AO-9) off Panama during Fleet Problem XII, circa February 1931. USS Lexington (CV-2), at right, and a battleship are also present.

Donation of Franklin Moran, 1967.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph (# NH 65300).

Captain Ernest J. King, USN, presenting cigarette cases to race boat crew aboard USS Lexington (CV-2). King would later lead the U.S. Navy during WWII and become a five-star Fleet Admiral. Photographed on 5 September 1931. U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (NARA), # 80-G-699923.

View of the U.S. Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington, in 1932. Identifiable ships include (front to back): the crane ship Kearsarge (AB-1); (probably) a Tennessee-class battleship (BB 43–44), two Eagle-class patrol craft; USS Arkansas (BB-33); three Clemson/Wickes-class destroyers; and USS Lexington (CV-2).

Photo i.d. via commons.wikimedia.org. National Archives Identifier: 6036984.

"Bi-planes on deck of aircraft carrier USS Lexington, March 1932." Leslie Jones Photograph Collection, Boston Public Library.

USS Lexington (CV-2) at anchor at Lahaina Roads, Maui, February 16, 1932.

USS Lexington (CV-2) underway, March 15, 1932. Note how closely the T4M torpedo-bombers and the smaller fighter and observation aircraft are packed together.

Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington. The aircraft carriers USS Lexington (CV-2) and USS Saratoga (CV-3) at the yard. Photo appears to be dated 8 June 1932, but Saratoga was in Dry Dock #2 on that date. Also present is USS Jason (AV-2), an old collier converted into a seaplane tender, at left. The future USS Astoria (CA-34) is under construction in drydock, upper right. Photographed from a USAAC plane.

(Thanks to David Stubblebine for providing additional information.)

Naval History & Heritage Command (NHHC) photo (# NH 93556).

Aerial, starboard beam. Aircraft on deck, Diamond Head in background. Dated 2 February 1933.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-416531.

USS Lexington (CV-2) and USS Saratoga (CV-3) in front of Diamond Head. Regardless of what is printed on the picture, it must have been taken after 1933, when Saratoga's bridge was modified.

[On July 1, 1932 Sara was berthed at Pier 6, Bremerton, WA.]

A Martin BM, of VT-1S, takes off over the stern of USS Lexington (CV-2), on 17 May 1934.

Naval History & Heritage Command (NHHC) photo, # NH 51366.

Port bow view of USS Lexington (CV-2) underway, 31 May 1934, during a Presidential Review by President Roosevelt off New York City.

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Photo No. 1996.488.011.015.

USS Lexington (CV-2), left, and USS Saratoga (CV-3) open to the public for viewing at New York City, June 1934.

Another view, as above.

Three photos of USS Lexington (CV-2)—and her sister USS Saratoga (CV-3)—in New York harbor in June 1934.

USS Lexington (CV-2) moored to West Fiftieth Street Dock, Hudson River, NY. A BM dive/torpedo bomber assigned to Torpedo Squadron One can be seen parked aft on the flight deck, which suggests a rough time frame of 1932–36. Moreover, USS Saratoga (CV-3) can be seen across the pier. Both Sara and Lex visited New York and were moored to Pier 90 (West Fiftieth Street Dock), June 1-19, 1934, after a Presidential Review. This photo was probably taken at that time.

Photo by Edwin Levick. Edwin Levick Collection, Mariner's Museum.

Four photos of USS Lexington taken by Radioman 3C George W. Allen, circa 1935.

Top: VS-3B Squadron insignia (Indian head in circle) is clearly visible on the biplane.

Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington. Aerial photograph taken in the mid-1930s. Alongside the pier in center are the aircraft tender (ex-collier) Jason (AV-2), laid up in 1932 and sold in 1936, and the crane ship Kearsarge. Also present are the aircraft carriers Lexington (CV-2) and Saratoga (CV-3), the latter with her distinctive funnel stripe.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph (# NH 45236).

USS Lexington underway circa 1936, showing her very wide funnel with its black top edge, under which the MG platform was situated. The 8in/55 twin mounts, and also the single 5in(127mm)/25s grouped in threes, are clearly visible.

National Archives (NARA) photo (# 80-G-13048).

"U.S.S. Lexington—CV2, Booklet of General Plans," 26 March 1936. Updated in 1937 and on 7 May 1941.

Rear Admiral Ernest J. King, USN, Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics, arrives aboard USS Lexington (CV-2) in his new Curtiss SOC-1 aircraft, 2 June 1936. Note the plane's glossy blue flag color scheme.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-457421.

USS Lexington (CV-2) off Long Beach, California, 17 September 1936, with crewmembers spelling out "NAVY" on her flight deck.

Courtesy of Commander Robert L. Ghormley, Jr., 1969.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. (# NH 67420).

USS Lexington (CV-2), 8 October 1936, probably at the Coronado Roads, San Diego, California

USS Lexington (CV-2) entering Puget Sound Navy Yard, date unknown—might have been taken in late 1936, as the machine gun sponsons (fore and aft) and platform (around funnel) are already in place, but forward flight deck has not yet been widened.

USS Lexington (CV-2) at anchor, location unknown, after her 1936–37 refit, which widened her forward flight deck.

Another photo of USS Lexington (CV-2) at anchor in the late 1930s.

Photographed by Geo. Winstead.

USS Lexington (CV-2) underway sometime in the late 1930s (1937?), location unknown. Note the 0.5-in MG gallery below the funnel cap and the widened forward flight deck.

Puget Sound Navy Yard, 26 March 1937, USS Lexington (CV-2) at the conclusion of a refit to widen her forward flight deck, as seen in this photo. Looking closely, it is possible to notice the lighter areas on the outside edges of the forward flight deck, where the additions to widen the deck were installed.

In July 1937 battleship USS Colorado (BB-45); aircraft carrier USS Lexington (CV-2); seaplane tender USS Swan (AVP-7): destroyers USS Lamson (DD-367), USS Cushing (DD-376), and USS Drayton (DD-366); and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Itasca searched in vain to locate Amelia Earhart (photo) after her disappearance in the middle Pacific (an area the size of Texas) during her around-the world flight. There has been much speculation about her disappearance over these past decades with a long list of theories, never substantiated, recorded over time on exactly what happened to Amelia and her navigator, Fred Noonan.

"Aircraft Carrier Lexington Joins Search—Rushing to the vicinity of Howland Island under forced draft the U.S.S. airplane carrier Lexington, one of the navy's fastest ships, is aiding in the search for Amelia Earhart and her navigator, Captain Fred J. Noonan, who were forced down on their round-the-world flight two weeks ago. The huge ship carries sixty-three planes and has released her brood near the area. Photo shows the Lexington pictured from the air. Note planes on the seagoing landing field."

Daily Alaska Empire, Juneau, Alaska, Wednesday, 14 July 1937.

USS Lexington (CV-2) underway with aircraft spotted on deck, circa 1938.

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Photo No. 1996.488.011.020.

Aerial port bow view, with aircraft on deck, off Honolulu, TH, during Fleet Problem XIX, 8 April 1938.

National Archives photo (# 80-G-410059).

(See also photos NS020341 ff and NS020434 ff.)

Stern view of USS Lexington (CV-2) in the Panama Canal, possibly in the first half of 1939.

"(WX9)NORFOLK, VA., APRIL 12[, 1939]—Plane Carriers Concentrate at Hampton—With the morning sun just breaking over the horizon of the Atlantic Ocean four of the Navy's giant plane carriers steamed into Hampton Roads today to take part in the greatest fleet concentration here since 1907. The ships are, left to right: the U.S.S. Lexington, Yorktown, Enterprise and Ranger. (See wire story)(AP wirephoto)(wrw41713wjf)39"

"(WX12)NORFOLK, VA., APRIL 20[, 1939]—A Deckload of War Birds—The aircraft carrier Lexington of U.S. Navy carried a full deck load of planes when it left Hampton Roads this morning with other ships of the Pacific Fleet on the way back to West Coast. This airview shows the Lexington underway. (AP wirephoto)h51400the39 (see wire story)"

USS Lexington (CV-2) in the Gaillard Cut, Panama Canal. There are monoplane TBD-1 Devastator torpedo-bombers parked aft on the flight deck; therefore, the photo was possibly taken in 1939, when Lexington was returning to the Pacific after Fleet Problem XX.

"'1066-39' P.S.N.Y. [November 6, 1939] U.S.S. Lexington. Condition of plastic A.F. near stern and in way of rudder. Docked, Nov. 1939 — 12 months out of dock."

Source: NARA San Francisco Mare Island Naval Shipyard General Correspondence Files 1941–46.

"Service Afloat," Navy recruiting poster issued in November 1939. It features photographs of USS Lexington (CV-2) and USS Dunlap (DD-384), as well as a pilothouse scene on a battleship and views of sailors splicing a hawser, carrying a hammock and sea bag, assisting a ship's navigator and standing engine room throttle watch.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph (# NH 77210), courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation.

USS Lexington (CV-2), left distance, with part of the Pacific Fleet in 1940 at Lahaina, Maui.

It is possible that the battleship on the left is USS California (BB-44). The center battleship appears to be a Nevada class, either USS Nevada (BB-36) or USS Oklahoma (BB-37). The rightmost battleship is believed to be a Pennsylvania class, USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) rather than USS Arizona (BB-39). (See NS014462u for details.)

"LATEST OFFICIAL PICTURES OF OUR NAVY IN ACTION"

"America's First Line of Defense As Streamlined As It Is Alert"

"'V for Victory' is an old pattern for Navy flyers. This formation of a scouting squadron all based on airplane carrier Lexington when not aloft, seeking out forces of the enemy, America's naval force is admittedly the best in the world, both in men and planes."

Detroit Sunday Times Pictorial Review, Sunday, 10 August 1941.

USS Lexington (CV-2) leaving San Diego, California, 14 October 1941. Planes parked on her flight deck include F2A-1 fighters (parked forward), SBD scout-bombers (amidships) and TBD-1 torpedo planes (aft). Note the false bow wave (Measure 5 camouflage) painted on her hull, forward, and badly chalked condition of the hull's camouflage paint (Measure 1).

In this picture Lexington still retains her twin 8" mounts. Four 1.1" mounts have been installed, one on each quadrant, and a fifth mount between the bridge and the funnel. Atop each 8" mount is a gun tub containing two .50-cal mounts.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. (# 80-G-416362).

(Thanks to Robert Hurst, who provided additional information).

Vertical aerial photograph of Ford Island, taken 10 November 1941, with five battleships tied up along "Battleship Row" at the top of the image. USS Lexington (CV-2), a seaplane tender and a light cruiser are moored on the island's other (northwestern) side. Approximately 21 PBY patrol planes are parked at the Naval Air Station's seaplane base, in the upper right. The bright diagonal line, at the lower left end of Ford Island, points to the north.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (NHC # 80-G-279385), now in the collections of the National Archives.

USS Lexington (CV-2), flagship of Task Force 12, underway in December 1941. Task Force 12 was sent to reinforce Midway on 5 December 1941 and after the attack on Pearl Harbor looked for the Japanese fleet until 13 December 1941.

LIFE magazine, Bob Landry photographer, shared by Peter DeForest.

Model of USS Lexington (CV-2).

Model on display at the National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Florida. Photos taken on 13 June 2008.

"Happy hour — on board the — U.S.S. Lexington —Captain Aubrey W. Fitch, U.S.N. Commanding — At Sea –Friday, 1 May, 1936 — on hangar deck at 1900"

"Aircraft Carrier Lexington"

"Navy Day — Washington Navy Yard — Oct. 27, 1936"

"U.S. plane carrier Lexington at anchor off Long Beach, Calif."

Survivor of USS Lexington Certificate for Robert James Allen.