Lexington (CVT 16) - Naval Cruise Book

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THE SECRETARY OF' THE NAVY WASHINGTON The Presldent of the Umted States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION to the U S S LEXINGTON and her attached Air Groups participating in the following operations September 18, 1943, Tar-awa, October 5 6, 1943, Wake, November 19 to Deeem ber 5, 1943, Gtlbez-ts AG 16 QVF 16, VB 16, VT 165 Vlarch 18 to Apri13O, 1944, Palau, I-Iollandia, Truk June 11 to july 5, 1944, Mad anas AG 16 CVF 15, VB 16, VT 16 Part of VFN 761 July 18 to August 5, 1944, Marianas, Palau, Bonins, September 6 to November 6 1944, Philippines, Palau, Yap Ryukyus, Formosa, Luzon AG 19 WF 19 VB 19, VT 19, Part of VFN 761 December 14 16 1944, Luzon, january 3 to 22, 1945, Philippines, Formosa, China Sea, Ryukyus AG 20 CVF 20, VB 20, VT 205 February 16 to March 1, 1945, Japan, Bonins, Ryukyus: AG-9 CVF-9 VBF-9 VE-9, VT-95. , - June,2O, 1945, Wake, july 10 to August 15 1945, Japan: AG-94 CVFF94 VBR-94, VB-94, VT-9414 for service as set forth in the following CITATION: ' , 'For 'extraordinary heroism in action ,against enem Japanese forces in the air ashore and afloat inthe Pacific War Area from September'18, 1943, to August 16, 1945. Spearheading our concentrated carrier-warfare in the most forward areas, the U.S.S. LEXINGTON and her air groups struck crushing blows toward annihilating japanese fighting powergthey provided air cover for our amphibtous forces, they fiercely countered the enemy s aerial attacks and destroyed his planes, and they inflicted terrific losses onthe Japanese1nF1eet and merchant marine units sunk or damaged. Daring and dependable in combat, the LEXINGTON with her gallant officers and men rendered loyal service in achieving the ultimate eat of the Japanese Empire. , For the President, 1 lam, IJ , . 1 Secretary of the Navy

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Then, it was all over and the Blue Ghost had the honor of being the first carrier into Tokyo Bay, Septem- ber 5, 1945. The final totalg her air groups had destroyed 850 aircraft, sunk 300,000 tons of shipping and damaged another 600,000 tons.

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USS LEXINGTON fCVA-16, 15 August 1955 The Gommanaing once, and Crew request the honor of your Presence at QL, Commissioning Ceremony of the LEXINGTON was part of Magic Carpet that brought home the troops and then she headed for Bremerton, Washington and an extended stay in inactivation. But the call came again and a new LEXINGTON with angle deck, enclosed bow, modified arma- ment and island structure was recom- rnissioned August 15, 1955. U. Lexington Monday afternoon, August the Efteentll nineteen hundred and gfty-live at three Jclocl: at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyar Bremerton, Washington fl 5 l L 1