Trip to Corpus Christi - Part Two

The boys and I visited the USS Lexington Museum on the Bay. Commissioned in 1943, the Lexington served as an attack (aircraft) carrier during World War II, and then served as a training vessel until being decommissioned in 1991. The Lexington now rests in Corpus Christi Bay serving as a museum to the US Navy and attack vessels.

These pictures might give you an idea of how BIG it is! The boys were fascinated with the "big ship". "Big rocket ship" was H's description.





We were so excited to visit the USS Lexington because my Uncle D completed his flight training on the ship in 1967. On March 31, 1967, he made the 180,000 arrested landing on the Lexington, and there was a ceremony in his honor. The ship's captain presented him with the engraved lighter shown here. (Engraving with date and his name is on the reverse side.) "Our" D is named after my Uncle D.



We presented the lighter as well as pictures of my uncle to the museum director and archivist. They were very pleased and very enthusiastic about using the documents in their exhibits. We are hoping to return one day to see these items on view. Here are two pictures of my Uncle D during his flight training in 1967:



And, here is our D running around the USS Lexington flight deck 44 years later....



We will always be so proud of both the "D's" in our family!