Lexington (CVA 16) - Naval Cruise Book

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NEWLY CONVERTED LEXINGTON STANDS OUT OF YARD AT QUINCY, MASSACHUSETTS, OCTOBER 3, 1925. 1942, only to receive the brunt of an HCTCC counter-attack launched the following day. Struck by two aerial torpedos and atleast two bombs, the LEXINGTON nevertheless managed to recover all her aircraft, which at the time of the attack were in the ' process of reducing the Japanese carrier, SHOKAKU, to a blazing hulk. he crew of the CV-2 were successful in extinguishing the Hres resulting from the hits scored upon her. Several hours later, however, the ship was rocked by a fatal explosion while steaming at 20 knots. She was abandoned soon after with practically no loss of life. I he fifth LEXINGTON CCV-16D avenged her predecessor. She destroyed a total of 862 enemy planes: 372 in air, 475 on the ground, and 15 by anti-aircraft fire. She sank or destroyed 300,000 tons of Japanese shipping and damaged an additional 600,000 tons. With air groups from other flattops, she sent three Japanese aircraft carriers to the bottom along with a NATORI class cruiser. Following her commissioning on 26 September, 1942, the LEXINGTON participated in nearly every major campaign in the Pacific theatre. She spent an aggregate of 21 months in the combat area, at least 18 of which saw her west of the 180th meridian. Her planes struck at Tarawa, Kwajalien, the Marianas, Palau, the Philippines, Truk, the Bonins, Formosa, Okinawa and Japan, and helped destroy the power of the Japanese Fleet in the first and second battles of the Philippine Sea. Renowned for an almost impregnable air defense, she received but two hits during the course of the Second World War. Her outstanding record earned her the follow- ing Presidential Unit Citation: 9? or extraordinary heroism in action againstgthe enemy Japanese force in the air, ashore, and afloat in the Pacific War Area from September 18, 1943 to August 15, 1945. Spearheading our concentrated carrier warfare in the most forward areas, the USS LEXINGTON and her air groups struck crushing blows toward annihilating Japanese fighting power 5 they provided air cover for our amphibious forces 3 they fiercely countered the enemyis aerial attacks and destroyed his planes, they inflicted terrific losses on the Japanese in Fleet and merchant marine units sunk or damaged. Daring and dependable in combat, the LEXING- TON, with her gallant officers and men, rendered loyal service in achieving the ultimate defeat of the Japanese Empiref' X n 11 October, 1946, she was placed in reserve at Bremerton and decommissioned the following April. Reclassified CVA-16 on 1 October 1952, she underwent a two-year conversion period during which was fitted with the latest innovations in carrier design, including an angled Hight deck, steam catapults, and a mirror landing system. Recom- missioned on 15 August, 1955, and one of the ---i most potent mobile striking units in the Pacific Fleet today, she is currently deployed on her second Far Eastearn Cruise.

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Captain Gannon was born on April 10, 1909 in Ashley, North Dakota, entered the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, with the A class of 1931, and Was subsequently, com- missioned an Ensign and assigned his first duty on board the USSTEXAS. He served on board the carrier USS SARATOGA and in 1943 Was Commanding Officer of Patrol Squadron 203 which fought in the North At- lantic campaigns. Highlighting this Wartime duty was a tour as navigator on the present LEX which Was then flagship for the famous Task Force 58. After leaving the LEX, the skipper became Executive Ofhcer of the USS CAPE GLOUSTER and remained on board through the end of the War. In 1952 Captain Gannon received his Hrst sea command when he took over as Commanding Officer of the USS FLOYDS BAY. Later, he joined NATO's SACLANT staff as Opera- tions Officer. Captain Gannon came to the LEX from the Military Application Division of the Atomic Energy Commission. He was relieved as Commanding Officer by Captain B.L. Bailey in September 1957. Commanding Officer JOH W. GAN NON Captain, USN CAPT GANNON PRESENTS shipls donation to Petty Officers' Wives Club of Yokosuka