U.S.S. Lexington
Last week Jer and I visited the WWII aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Lexington. While it's just a couple of blocks from our condo, I'm not lying when I tell you that I would drive many miles to see this amazing piece of history. All I can say is WOW!
Launched in 1942, this naval ship saw extensive action thru the Pacific War. Decommissioned in 1991, today she is docked at Corpus Christi, and now operates as a museum.
My imagination took over as I toured the different levels of the ship. I felt as if I was part of the naval crew as I went through the barracks, the mess hall, the chapel, the doctor's office, the dentist office, the hospital, and onto the flight deck. It was so very interesting.
Imagine my surprise, when one of the first exhibits we visited was in memory of Iowa's own, Nile Kinnick. Not only was Kinneck a famous Iowa football player, it turns out Mr. Kinnick was also the U.S.S. Lexington's first casualty. While conducting training flights off the Lexington's flight deck, the plane Kinneck was flying experienced engine problems and crashed off the coast of Venezuela into the Caribbean Sea. Neither Kinneck nor the plane were ever found. Hence the name of Kinneck Stadium at the University of Iowa. God rest his soul!
During WWII, the Lexington participated in nearly every major operation in the Pacific, and at times her crew numbered as many as 3,000 men and women. It's been reported that the Lexington sank four times, yet she returned to fight again. Her force was mighty as she sank 300,000 tons of enemy cargo and damaged an additional 600,000 tons. Her planes destroyed 372 enemy aircraft, and her guns shot down 15 more. She and her crew represented our country well and protected us during some of the most frightening times.
My visit to the U.S.S. Lexington was one I will never forget. Everyone should be so fortunate as to have this experience. God Bless the USA!
Launched in 1942, this naval ship saw extensive action thru the Pacific War. Decommissioned in 1991, today she is docked at Corpus Christi, and now operates as a museum.
My imagination took over as I toured the different levels of the ship. I felt as if I was part of the naval crew as I went through the barracks, the mess hall, the chapel, the doctor's office, the dentist office, the hospital, and onto the flight deck. It was so very interesting.
Imagine my surprise, when one of the first exhibits we visited was in memory of Iowa's own, Nile Kinnick. Not only was Kinneck a famous Iowa football player, it turns out Mr. Kinnick was also the U.S.S. Lexington's first casualty. While conducting training flights off the Lexington's flight deck, the plane Kinneck was flying experienced engine problems and crashed off the coast of Venezuela into the Caribbean Sea. Neither Kinneck nor the plane were ever found. Hence the name of Kinneck Stadium at the University of Iowa. God rest his soul!
During WWII, the Lexington participated in nearly every major operation in the Pacific, and at times her crew numbered as many as 3,000 men and women. It's been reported that the Lexington sank four times, yet she returned to fight again. Her force was mighty as she sank 300,000 tons of enemy cargo and damaged an additional 600,000 tons. Her planes destroyed 372 enemy aircraft, and her guns shot down 15 more. She and her crew represented our country well and protected us during some of the most frightening times.
My visit to the U.S.S. Lexington was one I will never forget. Everyone should be so fortunate as to have this experience. God Bless the USA!
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