The USS Lexington (CV-2) played a pivotal role in the Battle of the Coral Sea (May 4-8, 1942). This was the first major engagement with the Japanese after Pearl Harbor.  The Japanese expansion was halted for the first time and signaled the direction the war would take.

The Lexington was severely damaged and was sunk by the USS Phelps after being evacuated.

The CV-16 was in development.  Originally to be named the Cabot, it was changed to the USS Lexington in recognition of this battle.  She was launched on September 23, 1942.

After the war she served myriad roles, the last of which was as a training carrier.  She was decommissioned on November 8, 1991, then permanently berthed at Corpus Christi as a museum.

The ship is in remarkable condition, with an extensive level of public access.

The aircraft inventory includes:

- A-4B Skyhawk
- A-6E Intruder
- A-7B Corsair II
- AH-15 Cobra
- F-4 Phantom II
- F-14 Tomcat
- F2H-2 Banshee
- F9F-8T Cougar
- KA-3B Skywarrior
- T-2C Buckeye
- T-6/SNJ
- T-28B Trojan
- T-34B Mentor
- TA-4F Skyhawk
- N3N Canary
- SBD-3 Dauntless 
- TBM Avenger
  • View of the Island from the main entrance to the flight deck.
  • Beware of Jet Blast Propellers and Rotors
  • F-14 Tomcat, front left
  • F-14 Tomcat, front left
  • F:A-18 Hornet, front
  • F-14 Tomcat, front
  • Bridge, Captain's perspective out window
  • Bridge, captain's chair
  • Focsl, Bulkhead
  • Focsl, View from bow
  • A-7B Corsair II, artsy shot
  • View of the Lexington from the car park.
  • View of starboard bridle catcher.
  • Scorecard.