Lexington (CV 16) - Naval Cruise Book

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Maintaining speed and steering this ship without the use of a rudder and with three instead of four propellers, is an achievement that recalls an inscription hanging over the desk of Rear Admiral A. K. Doyle when he was a commander, and my first active contact in the Navy depart- ment . . . The difficult we do at once, the impossible takes a little longer. . . . It is taking the Wounded Lex a little longer, she is traveling two knots under par. From the skipper of the U.S.S. Minneapolis comes a message to the skipper of the Lexifzgton. Felix, you old rascal, you and the admiral have been sending signals long enough. I want you to know that all of us are proud of you and your fine ship. You are doing a remarkably fine job of steering and we are honored to be escorting you. When you find a seaman airman, that's nothing, but when you find an airman Seaman, that's news. My hat's off to an airman seaman and his crew. When we reach Hawaii the Lex leads the parade of ships into Pearl Harbor, there is much dipping of flags with bugle calls, and crews lined up in salute. VV e move up to the position of honor, the dock fronting HQ of Comairpac. A sailor points towards two little Hawaiian maidens on the outer edge of the crowd ashore, yells uVVOMENl,, Mail comes aboard, a long line of hospital ambulances begin taking off our wounded. A small launch goes through the torn hull, into the blasted compartment to remove the bodies of the dead we were unable to reach while at sea. The Lex goes to dry dock for a few days, technicians evaluate damages and make temporary repairs. Tons of spoiled meat are taken from the wrecked refrigeration compartments. Within forty-eight hours we leave dry dock. Heading out to sea we steam slowly past head- quarters, present a salute to Admiral Radford, now Deputy Chief, Comairpac. Our destination is the Bremerton Navy Yard, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A. NVhen about fifty miles out, planes from our air group appear. They Hy over us in formation, rock their wings in a farewell salute, drop a few kidding messages: Request permission to land on Stump Field. Come back, all will be forgiven. The air group will remain on the beach at Hawaii, waiting, practicing new combat tactics While the Lex gets her rest cure and beauty treatmentsi' at Bremerton. 143

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