Corpus Christi and the USS Lexington

[Greyman50]

Back in early 60's got to go on a WWII Fleet Sub, talk about CRAMPED and Small. Before 911 ex BIL got me on a new Trident Sub, talk about nice boat!Fat chance getting on one these days.
Go on one of the WWII Battleships, been on USS North Carolina many times, amazing.

 

[sparkyvega]

I was surprised at how small the Lexington is. Great history.

 

[AJ]

I was surprised at how small the Lexington is. Great history.

Lexington is less than 25,000 tons and 875 feet long. The carriers of the last 60 years are 100,000 tons and over 1000 feet long..

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Slept on the Lexington several times with my son's cub scout troop. Glad that it is still being taken good care of, It is in better shape than the older Battleship Texas. the "crew" made it fun for the kids in addition to the carrier tour and hardware they went all out to tell ghost stories and make "haunted:' noises from the stories into the night. I wish I had a nickle for every kid who said "Did you hear that" and looked around. My son still talks about it as one of our best Cub Scout moments. Highly recommended.

 

[Greyman50]

Slept on the Lexington several times with my son's cub scout troop. Glad that it is still being taken good care of, It is in better shape than the older Battleship Texas. the "crew" made it fun for the kids in addition to the carrier tour and hardware they went all out to tell ghost stories and make "haunted:' noises from the stories into the night. I wish I had a nickle for every kid who said "Did you hear that" and looked around. My son still talks about it as one of our best Cub Scout moments. Highly recommended.

Ought to hear the ghost stories 2 long time friends tell of nights on the North Carolina as Boy Scouts, will make your skin crawl.

 

[charlie sherrill]

I have been on the USS Alabama many times, usually with kids or grandkids. I've been on the USS Texas once. I was stationed on the USS Springfield during my time in the Navy. I like ships. Looks like a trip to the Lexington might be in my future. I'll wait until it cools off some.

 

[AJ]

I have been on the USS Alabama many times, usually with kids or grandkids. I've been on the USS Texas once. I was stationed on the USS Springfield during my time in the Navy. I like ships. Looks like a trip to the Lexington might be in my future. I'll wait until it cools off some.

Went to the Memorial Park where the USS Alabama is at with my B-I-L and his family. Tour everything they have there. On the USS Alabama, I saw where I would have resided, my B-I-L (the Seabee) pointed it out There was a small room just bigger than a closet and it was marked "1stSgt's Quarters".

 

[ditrina]

In the 1970s, "The Lady Lex" was the Navy's training carrier. Did my carrier quals on her - CVT-16 - in 1971. First eight arrestments. Haven't seen her since that time. Thanks for the photos and the memories.

And I was flying Plane Guard...

A plane guard is a warship (commonly a destroyer or frigate) or helicopter tasked to recover the aircrew of planes or helicopters which ditch or crash in the water during aircraft carrier flight operations.

 

[fordson]

Nice jacket…….. We must have played for the same Variety Team. I had your job off the Forrestal (CV59).

 

[ditrina]

HC-2???????????????????????

 

[fordson]

HS-3………when we weren't chasing subs, we pulled Plane Guard duty.

 

[Tradewind36]

I arrived at NAS Pensacola for AOCS 50 years ago last month, Lady Lex was a common sight around here for many years. No landings aboard her though. SH-3 driver here.

 

[fordson]

Looks like I was a year or more ahead of you. I hold the distinction of being the last "Reverse Flow" AOC.

 

[Greyman50]

Wow, quite a few " Brown Shoe" Sailors here..

 

[jcelect]

USN

Back in early 60's got to go on a WWII Fleet Sub, talk about CRAMPED and Small. Before 911 ex BIL got me on a new Trident Sub, talk about nice boat!Fat chance getting on one these days.
Go on one of the WWII Battleships, been on USS North Carolina many times, amazing.

"Back in the early 60s" I went to see on one of the WWII Fleet boats! USS Sea Cat SS 399 out of Key West. That's 311' with 88 enlisted and officers. Then came the USS Abraham Lincoln SSBN 602. That was one of the first class of NUC boats! 140 crew with 16 missile tubes right in the middle! Out and under for 64 days out of Holy Loch, Scotland.
Hey Sal, thanks for the hats! I'm still wearing them!
jcelect

 

[MTC(SS)Ret]

"Back in the early 60s" I went to see on one of the WWII Fleet boats! USS Sea Cat SS 399 out of Key West. That's 311' with 88 enlisted and officers. Then came the USS Abraham Lincoln SSBN 602. That was one of the first class of NUC boats! 140 crew with 16 missile tubes right in the middle! Out and under for 64 days out of Holy Loch, Scotland.
Hey Sal, thanks for the hats! I'm still wearing them!
jcelect

Hey Bubblehead!! Nice to see another old boomer sailor on here. I served on the 601, 616 and 640. Had my share of the fish and chips and local brews there in Holy Loch.
My hat is off to you for serving on a diesel fleet boat. That was REAL submarining.

 

[LVSteve]

I'm cringing every time somebody here refers to the Lexington as a "boat".

 

[STCM(SW)]

I'm cringing every time somebody here refers to the Lexington as a "boat".

Yea, that gets me too....
BTW as posted try living on a WWII sub......
Not my cup of tea.

 

[fordson]

Yea, that gets me too....
BTW as posted try living on a WWII sub......
Not my cup of tea.

Master Chief, I know you guys see everything as only Submarines or targets. The Lex is a Grand old Lady and a grand old ship — but to us Brown Shoe Aviators of that era she'll always be the first boat we trapped on and be remembered as such. Besides, to call her a "bus" would be undignified…….

 

[Greyman50]

Guess some of you Bubbleheads spent time at Kings Bay? Lived close by and where got to go aboard a Trident.