As a former Lexington sailor, I'm glad to see it in such good shape. Plan to head down there to see the Blue Ghost, hopefully next summer, if everything goes well.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your service Rob. I imagine she will welcome you kindly.

@jayroberts5705

2 жыл бұрын

Try to see the Pacific war museum in Fredericksburg Texas as well. And thank you for your service. 👍

@davidwhite8669

2 жыл бұрын

Another piece of history is right outside the captains bridge. I just did a brief search, couldn't find it. But there is a small bronze plaque just outside hatch to the bridge. Lex was in big battle and the planes had travel a long distance (I've seen it in a movie) and to keep her location secure she was running without the ships lamps lit (lights). It was getting dark, and the planes were getting near, but couldn't see the ship. The admiral was standing outside the bridge, and he gave the order "turn on the lights" at that spot. He save many lives and planes with that one simple order that also took big chance and lots of courage. See, sometimes, both the U.S. and Japanese planes were followed by each other with just one plane to locate the enemy and radio the position of the other carrier. The scout usually didn't make it back to his own ship because of low fuel.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Wow what great insight!

@josephconstante1222

2 жыл бұрын

I live in Corpus you will love it.

I served in the Lady Lex from April1961 through Aug. 1965. She was a CVA in the PacFLt, CarDiv 5. Went to WESPAC on her last cruise, then around the horn and to Pensacola. We were in dry dockin Brook;yn Navy Yard when the Cuban Crisis broke out. ,Off we went to Mayport, FLa and history, again. She was the only Essex class carrier not painted in Razzle Dazzle camoflage, but Type 22, all blue, thus the Blue Ghost nick name. She was my first of 6 ships in 20 years. SMC, USN, Ret.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing Tyrone, I hope they keep her in tip top shape for you to Come visit in the future.

I was stationed on the USS Lexington, 1971-1972. Saw Big Daddy Don Garlits, met him in the photo lab, Capt. Jack Davis was afraid he was going to over the side when Don cranked that baby up. Problem was the aluminum deck was covered in grease so planes brakes didn't work. Wrote the museum folks, told them about Japanese fighter rounds through the Air Office ceiling, but they have covered up the original ceiling with tiles. Too bad. Got to see an F-4 from the fleet flame out at launch and ditch. Ship had to make hard right turn to keep from running over it. Was on the ship in Pensacola when we were setting sail and steering went out. Ship ran aground on Santa Rosa Island, scared some fishermen big time on pier. My desk and typewriter hit the floor when ship rolled over some. After that it was towed to Boston ship yards for rebuild, I got off before it left, lucky me. There were NO guns on the ship in 1971, only ones were shotguns for skeet shooting coming back from Corpus Christy Texas. Capt. Jack Davis had the Admirals Launch sent to the Naval Museum, and replaced it with a personnel launch. Couldn't ship it by truck from Boston, and it wouldn't fit in a C-5 Galaxy big air transport, so they picked a 6 man crew by lottery and sailed it around Florida back up to Pensacola. Capt. Jack had it outfitted as a fishing boat and on way back from Corpus 6 guys got lucky and were chosen to go fishing with the Captain. I always considered being on the Lex like McHales Navy. It was a lot of fun. YN4 David White.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Wow haha, what a story! I love hearing about stuff like that, thank you so much for sharing. It’s always great to see the professional image of a ship then hear about how the crew behind the scenes doing their thing.

@jayroberts5705

2 жыл бұрын

Try to see the Pacific war museum in Fredericksburg Texas as well. And thank you for your service. 👍

@davidwhite8669

2 жыл бұрын

I have lots of stories of my duty on the Lex. One of my favorites was about one of our many trips to Corpus Christi to qualify students for jet aircraft. Before we left Pensacola, we always filled up on fresh water. But because the ship had been converted to JP1 jet fuel to fire the boilers some years before it required a different process, i.e., after a JP1 tank was emptied they washed the tank down with fresh water. I don't know the details of the process, but JP1 fuel got into the fresh water supply. One time we were running a bit late coming back from Corpus. Capt. Jack Davis came on and told us when thought we might get back to Pensacola. We all got a laugh when said "I know you're all nervous trying to drink a cup of coffee and hold a cigarette in the other hand, but I think you'll be safe". What he meant was the coffee smelled like kerosene (jet fuel) and it was strong. Me, I gave up coffee for a day or so. Didn't smoke, but still. Next time I'll tell you about docking in Pensacola one night in a thunderstorm. The tugs couldn't handle it, so we dropped anchor about 200 ft. from the pier. We could see our wives and girlfriends, and they could see us and our dirty laundry bags. We got to dock the next morning.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing your Stories!

I live about a 2-hour drive away from Corpus Christi, so I've visited the Lexington a few times and also recommend her to anybody visiting the area, particularly if they are history buffs. You can easily spend 3-4 hours if you stop to read a lot of the posted information, but even an hour aboard is enough time to make it enjoyable. I don't know if they were offered at the time you posted this video, but they now offer a special guided "hard hat" tour that takes you into parts of the ship that are not included in the regular self-guided tours. I have not been on the "hard hat" tour on the Lex, but did do the "hard hat" tour on the Battleship Texas several years ago. It was very well worth the price. If the "hard hat" tour on the Lex is as good, I would highly recommend it for folks who have the extra time and can afford the fee. I think it's only offered during cooler weather months, as it may go into areas of the ship that are not air conditioned, where it would be unbearably hot during the summer. At least that's the way it worked with the Battleship Texas.

@TheWanderingMantis

Жыл бұрын

I don’t think that was a thing when I went but it sounds like a must do for hardcore history fans!

Thank you for uploading! I am in Corpus Christi right now and we're literally docked just a few hundred meters away from USS Lexington but I can't go ashore as I do not have a visa. Thanks for giving us a tour via your video.

@herondeeyan2061

Жыл бұрын

We were berthed just passed the bridge at 09:20

Oh and one more thing... Thank you to all the former Navy sailors for your service.

My uncle, Gene Rocchi, was the officer in charge of the two quad 40 mm gun mounts just aft of the island when that kamikaze struck the ship. He survived, but never forgot the terror of that day, November 5, 1944.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Oh wow, what an incredible story. Was he injured in the attack?

@francisbusa1074

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheWanderingMantis I know he received some injury to his mouth and teeth, but I don't know if it was as a result of the kamikaze attack or some other action. I know he received a purple heart. I also have an official U.S. Navy photo of the burial at sea service the following day. Gene is seen standing at attention over the dead, still wearing his filthy khakis from the explosion and fire. Over 50 men were killed, most of them burned to death. I remember when I was in high school I listened in on a conversation between my uncle and dad. Dad was also a U.S. Navy combat veteran in the Pacific, serving aboard USS Birmingham CL-62. Gene was not a religious man, but I heard him tell my dad that he prayed and told God that if God would allow him to survive the war that he would be happy to do anything, and would never ask the Lord for a thing ever again. The kamikazes were truly terrifying to everyone. Gene did survive the war, and ironically became a wealthy businessman doing business with Japan in the emerging Honda motorcycle market in the '60's and '70's. The very country that had tried to kill him later made him wealthy. Gene kept a Revell model of the Lexington on display in the wet bar in his den.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Wow! Thank you for sharing that. What a wild and scary attack those must of been. The irony brimmed deep too!

@mindcrime828

Жыл бұрын

My grandfather was a loader/aimer on a quad 40 near the island. When the kamikaze struck he was blown backwards on knocked unconscious, but thankfully only suffered some abrasions. He was listed among the dead/missing, so when we walked back into his berthing his friend got startled thinking he was seeing a ghost.

@francisbusa1074

Жыл бұрын

@@mindcrime828 I wonder if he knew my uncle Gene.

I just think it's amazing that the US has museum aircraft carriers. My grandfather served on one in WWII, USS Guadalcanal, I've got some of his things in my office here. He was really proud of it. I doubt many, if any, of his buddies are still alive. I wish the internet were better back when he were living so he could have caught up with them before he passed.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

That is a shame that a lot of that history has pardon my pun but washed away with time. Do you know what he did on the Guadalcanal?

@Hayes955

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheWanderingMantis He was a mechanic. I should still have some negatives of him somewhere of some old-school photo copying I did back in the day. Standing on the flight deck next to some plane, I'm not sure of the type, and two guys I assume were friends. He said he was there for the capture of U-505. According to him he was so close to the captain he could spit in his eye. I have my doubts, but you never know. Thanks for the video.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Who knows. He did his part though I’m sure. That generation is one heck of a group. Please Subscribe to my channel, I’ll have quite a few videos around April on the National Museum of the pacific war that may interest you. If I see anything on that carrier I’ll be sure to include it.

@rgarc514

2 жыл бұрын

Hey guys I know it is something to keep family heirlooms but maybe on some of those negatives you could possibly make some copies and think about donating them to one of the museums I've done this with old computers old telephone systems old phone booth so we can preserve them for our future our kids. Believe it or not the old Ham radios and radio equipment from museums really fascinated me as a child. I'm going on 50 and I spent 30 years in communications television cable satellite fiber that spark can change somebody's life. Just give it a thought

Thank you so much. My dad was a pilot onboard since the shakedown cruise. It was an emotional experience to visit the Lex in 2002.

@TheWanderingMantis

3 ай бұрын

I’m glad you got to see it again!

Wow ! Thanks for sharing!! What a great ship!! Can't believe how well preserved it is. I plan on seeing the USS Midway soon

This was very awesome! You did a great job explaining everything.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much, there’s more to come soon!

We really enjoyed this video. You did a great job on it, and we look forward to seeing more! 😃👍

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

I’m glad y’all liked it and I appreciate the comment. We should collaborate sometime in the future!

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

I’m glad y’all liked it and I appreciate the comment. We should collaborate sometime in the future!

Had the privilege of camping aboard her many times with the BSA. Lots of good memories.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

I always wanted to do that. Supposedly the local group got to do it a couple of years ago but my son missed out like I did!?

WOW.. they have added so many more displays since I last visited.. I need to take the family there again.. Thanks for the quick overview.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

You absolutely should take everyone again!

A very well produced video. As far as I can tell, no information was wrong, a rare feat in today's KZread

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Hey thanks Brandon, I tried. Got some good stuff with the national museum of the pacific war coming up if you’re into WWII.

Great tour! Thank you sooooo much.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Chuck, got some more stuff coming up soon. Had some issues with my audio subscription and that’s been cleared up.

I remember going on the USS Lexington on June 29 2015 with my son and he told me alot of stuff I like hearing your experience

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

That must be a fun memory with your son. I’ve been quite a bit over the years and some of my fondest is going in the 90’s with my dad.

I remember my visit to the U.S.S. Lexington a few years ago and I enjoyed the tour very much.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

I’m glad you did, we all enjoyed the self tour.

Good video.They're maintaining the ship well. I was there in April of 2012 - the model display was much smaller, there were no mannekins in the crew positions shown here (e.g., the galley), and they move the planes around on the flight deck. I visited the ship as part of the research to write a book about my Dad's aerial exploits - he flew 46 sorties from the Lexington during a combat tour with VF-19 in the summer and fall of 1944. Yes, it can be hot in mid-summer.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Wow Ray, thank you for the comment and I appreciate it. What did your dad fly? I had a great uncle who supposedly flew a p-38 in the pacific theatre. I’ve never been able to confirm that for sure as he died when I was little but the at was my understanding. I’m so glad you were able to keep that history going too. Did you ever publish the book?

@rayschoch5882

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheWanderingMantis Dad flew an F6F in combat - not represented in the Lexington museum (there are very few still in existence). As for publishing the book, yes and no. I did finish the research (even found a photo of him and some squadron mates in a little display on the Lexington), and paid to have 17 hard cover copies printed for relatives, but never offered it for sale to the public. He has a Wikipedia page (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_Foresman_Schoch).

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

I enjoyed reading his page. I’m sorry y’all lost him so early. I will say that XF Goblin is an odd duck if I ever saw one. Thanks for all your research Ray, your family needed to read that I’m sure.

Very informative. I can’t wait to visit Corpus And check it out.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

I appreciate that! I hope you go soon. I have another Corpus video coming soon!

You did an excellent job of shooting, editing and narrating this video. Thank you, very well done. I did find that audio clip in the background a bit annoying, too fast passed for this video, but at least it was not too loud. Great work.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the feedback I am glad you liked the video. It is difficult to find the right sound for any video I am finding out. I am working with a new audio company for now so we will see how that pans out. That was a huge hurdle to get started but now im over that more content should be rolling out quicker. If you haven’t done so subscribe for more travel content. Will have a great insider video of the National museum of the pacific war’s living history program here in April sometime!

@lynnwright3993

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheWanderingMantis - In Fredericksburg Texas! The home of Admiral Chester Nimitz. I had the pleasure of touring there with my dad back around 2000, before alzheimers stole all his memories. A LOT of great stuff there. Even more now, I'm sure.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

@@lynnwright3993 several videos at the Nimitiz Are coming up soon probably April at the latest. I’m excited about these. I love The Nimitiz and am honored to Be able to go so often!

Great video! I did my Youngster Cruise on the Lex as a Midshipman in the Summer of 1980. (That’s when I learned Pensacola, FL, is in the Central Time Zone!). Can’t wait to visit it. Beat Army!

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Hey I’m really glad you enjoyed the video. I always wanted to stay there when I was in scouts but never got to 😕. Be sure to subscribe I have some more good stuff coming up soon. Is there any particular content you would be interested in seeing?

Great Video 👍🏽👍🏽.. I’m from Corpus Christi one of my favorite things to do is fish along the jetty right next to the Lexington. The size and beauty of that boat never gets old to look at. lol

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

That’s awesome that you get to do that. I am from the coast and I miss waking up to dawn over the water

@dutch_daily2431

2 жыл бұрын

Im from Portland and went there more than once very fun

@guymorris6596

2 жыл бұрын

It's a ship, the lifeboats on board are the boats. Submarines are referred to as boats.

Very nice report!

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

I have toured the blue ghost 2 times loved learning about a piece of history

Love this ship have gone every year since I was a kid. So many A4s love it

Thanx for the video, I visited CV-16 back in 2014. It's amazing to me how long the Essex carriers remained in service...of course heavily modified in the 50s, but still. "Self Guided Tour" is a fancy name for wandering around on your own. :-) The same as on Texas, Alabama and Drum. I really enjoyed my time on Lexington, but as far as my "favorite"....Drum has the edge since my dad was a radarman on a Balao class (a sub-class of the Gato) sub during WWII, so it was pretty special to stand at his station in the control room.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for the comment. A submarine has always been on my bucket list of trips. Ever since I was a kid I have been fascinated by subs especially WWII era stuff.

@lynnwright3993

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheWanderingMantis I might add, I liked that you included a view of "the bridge"....the one over the ship channel. We lived in CC for several years when I was Jr. High age....always loved that bridge. Unfortunately, she will soon be gone. :-(

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

That’s a shame

@lovellrodriguez8567

2 жыл бұрын

Fyi

That's the actual Maverick and Goose F14 #114 Tomcat from TopGun You really did the Lexington Museum some well deserved justice. Nice Panoramic shot of the bay and the Harbor Bridge 🌉 that will be leaving us soon. So thanks 👍

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Highway to the Danger zone!

Miss that ship. I served on her as an OS. I was one of the first females. Great ship.

Enjoyed your video! She looks just like I remember from my brief days on her in 1983 or '84. I was in HC-16 then (From Sept '82 till Fall of '84) and we flew SAR for the Lex and I deployed with her once in her CVT-16 configuration. Operating from Pensacola to the greater Corpus area and back, training what would become future Naval Aviators. Would've liked to have seen one of our H-46 Bullfrog helicopters up there on the flight deck. I can recall as a young AE I had to crawl out on the aft rotor head to replace a Anti-collision light once, stretching out to change that light with the ocean below. Scary stuff when you're that young! You have a brief shot of a ready room in your vid and I wouldn't be surprised if that was ours back then. Thanks for the memories!

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your service on her, I am surprised at all of the stories that have come up since I posted this!

@Jim125

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheWanderingMantis you really did a great job! I gotta get down there one day! Thanks.

Thanks, I was stationed at Sherman field Pensacola in the late 60's the "Lex" would deploy offshore for the new pilots.

I was on the Lex for three detachments in the '70s, it was not glamorous but I have some great memories of the ship and the people

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

That’s great though, what did you do on the ship?

One day soon I hope to visit the Lexington, my father was on the original Lexington that sank during the battle of the Coral Sea and was in the water for over 36 hours he did survive and later served on the USS Alabama and the USS Saratoga , along with quite a few others during his career in the Navy.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

That’s incredible. Those stories are something to cherish. We are losing that generation fast. We lost one of our greats this week, Fred Harvey USMC.

@ant_jams8708

2 жыл бұрын

Very awesome

Outstanding shipmate. Press on. USS Kitty Hawk CV-63. Jan 1980 to July 1983. Sailor for life.

@johnmagill7714

Жыл бұрын

I was on the Connie from 1999 till she was decommissioned. Two LHA's out of San Diego before that.

My Dad was stationed on this ship out of Pensacola FL when I was born in 1971

First time viewer: I did enjoy watching the video, thank you for sharing it Jesse. On an indirectly related note: I am visually impaired aka Legally Blind (20/400 R & 20/200 L) and so I cannot see well enough to drive; which has always limited the number of opportunities I've had to go see things (Literally and figuratively speaking) and so I am able to see more detail in videos and photos than I can in person (and of course, money or the lack of funds also hinders me from going on trips as well (My wife insists that the kids need to eat :( lol). Anyway... I really do appreciate the opportunity to experience things like this even if it's only from someome else's eyes. :) Oh and I did subscribe and look forward to watching more of your travels. And on a final note: I enjoy meeting people and making new friends; so, I'd like to invite you to say hello on Facebook (That is, if you have an account). Take care

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

I’m glad you liked the video Hondo. I’ve been really busy with school lately and I have some new content coming up.

FYI. The movie Pearl Harbor was filmed off this ship. It was used both for Japanese carrier and US carrier filming and planes were launched off it. The catapults were not installed until the jets were on board.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Isn’t that cool! I was living somewhat near corpus when that was going on. I remember there being local controversy about the zeros being on the deck.

That looks like a fantastic day out 👍👍

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

It was, thanks for the comment!

Just wanted to say great video I remember all everything you showed in your video I was on the ship and early 2000s I think I don't exactly remember what year but I did I was on the ship for 2 days I walked everywhere all over that ship even went into spots I wasn't supposed to it was a lot of fun I really enjoyed it definitely some some things have changed since then that I noticed in your video but for the most part she looks pretty much the same want to get back there someday see you again I'd love to go to Hawaii and see the Missouri but anyway thank you for the video.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much for the comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the video. I’ve gone every few years or so since the late nineties and yea she hasn’t changed a whole lot! They have added New displays and more interactive stuff since then.

The flight deck is very slippery when moist (which I’m sure it’s all the time since it’s very humid there). I wouldn’t go during middle of summer as not all the ship is air conditioned. I went in October and was sweating pretty bad in some parts as there is a lot of stairs. Other than that had a great time with how big and amazing this ship is. I feel bad for any tall sailors during WW2. I’m 6’4” and bonked my head several times.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Oh yea it can get warm but it wasn’t too bad. The flight deck is where it got the hottest obviously. I’m glad you had a great time though! I am also tall so I feel yea!

@jeremiah._.hamman9255

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheWanderingMantis When i took a tour back in 2014 one of the museum personell had told me that the deck had been covered with a layer of tar to cover up the markings for its use in the movie Midway and that is why the deck wasn't even in some spots, in the middle of the summer heat it was something like 98 on the deck, my 14 year old self felt the deck sink in and stretch under my feet not too far from where the catapults would have been, as if they had covered a hole with tarmac or something, i panicked for a second because i thought that i might fall through it, I see they re-painted the markings for the deck since then, when it was in service the flight deck was aluminum so i couldn't imagine how slippery it would have been.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

@@jeremiah._.hamman9255 I didn’t know they filmed midway on her too. Where was it when they were filming I wonder?

@guymorris6596

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheWanderingMantis Corpus Christi.

I just went on there the other day as pat of a vacation and it was awesome, and the beach too.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

I’m glad you enjoyed it, that area is really nice and there is a lot of good food down there too

@jamesfrankenfield2398

2 жыл бұрын

@The Wandering Mantis I had never had real fish too, and they had a lot!

I've enjoyed the USS Lexington. Also if you're close to San Antonio visit the Pacific war museum in Fredericksburg Texas. It's a full day event to see it all.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

I love that museum, my next video is going to be on it!!! Be sure to subscribe to see it when it comes out.

As another former crew member in the mid to late 80's I was deck edge operator that retracted the arresting wire when we lost an A-6 when the tailhook broke catching the four wire. Pilots ejected safely but the aircraft ended up at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. I was not onboard when the T2 crashed into the island in the fall of 1988 but I was in the reserves at aircraft firefighting training for my 2 weeks of active and ran into a crew member that was onboard during the crash. Its on my bucket list to get down to Corpus to see it again.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Mike I would definitely make the trip. Corpus is still a fun place with lots else to Fill in your trip. It’s a hop and skip from padre island which has a lot of nice places to stay.

@davidwhite8669

2 жыл бұрын

Happened in the early 70's also. Two fleet pliots had to eject when their A-6 flamed out after launch, they hit the water at a near level trajectory. Broke both their legs. But they survived. During my time on the Lex we had a T-2 make a successful landing, but he did not, more like could not, turn his engine down. It just kept tugging at the arresting cable until the the nose wheel dropped off the angle deck, then it hung there for a few seconds, and I heard a loud boom in the Operations Office. The pilot ejected, but he did so too late, and into the ocean. Never found him or the jet.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Oh no, interesting

Great work

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks I really appreciate it!

That dummy with the face projected onto it reminded me of Goldeneye on the N64.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

I can see that. It was a very odd display in action.

Great video on the museum. Would love to see you do one for the Texas State Aquarium and the Museum of Science and History there as well.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I have one on the museum of science and history coming up soon. I was having some issues with my audio supplier. I wanted to do the aquarium but we were on a family vacation so we spent the rest of the time on the beach.

@MaddsMcKrabbs

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheWanderingMantis Definitely recommend checking out the aquarium if you find yourself back in Corpus Christi!

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

I will! Thank you

@dutch_daily2431

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheWanderingMantis SHEESH

I was in the main control engine room. Where the mannequin stood was my post. 82-86 on the lady Lex

@TheWanderingMantis

Жыл бұрын

Wow that’s awesome! I’m sure you did a better job than he did 😉

10:05 that's cool the Tomcat shows 'Maverick' and 'Goose' as the pilot and RIO. 😎

@julieannajones98

2 жыл бұрын

Apparently, it's the same plane they used in the movie!

2 hrs away...we love the Lexington!!

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

It is great, I look forward here in July visiting again. I’m probably going to do the aquarium this time though.

@hannibalbarca6308

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheWanderingMantis the aquarium is good too. You can park in the same spot and do both of them in one day, they are literally 100 yards from each other

I really wanna go to all 4 Essex class carrier museums in my lifetime. Ive been to USS Yorktown since its only a 30 minute drive away from our house but i havent been to the other three. They all have unique aircraft collections and different things you can do.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Where are the other two?

@UltraMagaFan

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheWanderingMantis USS Hornet is in Alameda California and USS Intrepid is in New York City.

@TheJudge2017

2 жыл бұрын

@@UltraMagaFan don't forget USS Midway ( A Midway class) in San Diego CA.

@UltraMagaFan

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheJudge2017 I know about Midway I'm just not interested in visiting. The Essex class carriers are way more historically significant. They participated in 3 wars, are the most produced fleet carrier in American history, are one of the longest serving carriers in American history, and 4 of them recovered NASA spacecraft.

@jeremiah._.hamman9255

2 жыл бұрын

The lexington is a great sight to see, they have taken real good care of her since she left the service.

I was on her in the 80's out of NAS Pensacola, she trained a many pilot jumping off of and landing on the deck....After she left we got the USS Forest Fire.....

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

That’s cool. USS Forest fire!? What a name ha!

@TheJudge2017

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheWanderingMantis USS Forrestal had a really bad fire in 1967 when live ammunition went off on the deck among parked planes. She got the nickname Forest Fire.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Ahh that explains it! Thanks for clearing that Up

Good video!

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I appreciate it. Make sure to subscribe I have some more content coming up.

Fun fact,: This Lexington avenged her predecessor, the original Lexington by sinking it’s murderer It was the battle of the Coral Sea, and the original CV-2 Lexington and the carrier Yorktown engaged the IJN carriers Shokaku and Zuikaku, both ships of the Shokaku class. These ships were part of the Kido Butai, the powerful IJN carrier force that attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7th 1941. Although Lexington showed success at first, badly damaging Shokaku, torpedo bombers from both IJN carriers horrifically crippled Lexington to the point where getting her back to port was a junkie’s fever dream, and the two ships directly caused the scuttling of Lady Lex. Both Shokaku and Zuikaku proved themselves to be very deadly opponents in the battle, and did it again during the Guadalcanal campaign when they did the exact same thing the the carrier hornet. This Lexington served in the battle of Leyte gulf, where she found Zuikaku. Although Shokaku has previously been sunk by a sub, Zuikaku was alive and well, and itching to be sunk. Zuikaku was also the only remaining carrier to have participated in the attack on Pearl Haebor, as Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, and Hiryu had all been sunk at Midway, while I already stated how Shokaku was sunk. This new Lady Lex, along side other carriers, sent her predecessor’s murderer to the bottom of the ocean, and avenged Pearl Harbor and the original Lexington, and she deserved to be saved for that reason

Drive past it every morning and every night. It's beautiful

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

What a privilege to be able to see her so often!

I lived at vila del sol in one of the beach front condos for around a year building TPCO. I always loved waking up to seeing the ole girl from my balcony. Was absolutely wild seeing her shrug off hurricane Harvey as it was hitting her.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Wow, did you get a video of that chaos?

@mdtransmissionspecialties

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheWanderingMantis unfortunately no 😕 I have a ton of pictures and videos of the ship though.. it’s absolutely beautiful at night if you’re on the concrete path beside it

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Well that’s a shame on the lack of video from that but score on the photos and vids of the lex otherwise!

My dad helped build that ship in Fore River

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

That’s pretty cool! First person to reach out with a builder story.

I live that ship, I've been there many times and 3 or more years ago I went there during Halloween and it was basically a haunted house and it was awesome.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Wow that’s awesome

I need to visit Texas

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome to come my friend!

Went there before I retired from the Navy. Corpus was my last duty station. My last Ship was a Carrier, Constellation CV-64. I look forward to being able to come back and tour her once more. This time spend the entire day on board. One question, is CIC open? Last time it wasnt.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

You know John it had parts open but I want to say that the last time I went which was some time back there was a lot more to see in that section.

@davidwhite8669

2 жыл бұрын

Probably not. I was the Operations Yeoman my year on the Lex in 1972. I loved my job. As an E-4, I set up all ships watches, coordinated with the Captain for my boss. I spent a lot of nights in CIC watching the planes land on the little TV. My actual company was the Photo Lab because I was the only enlisted guy in the operations office. Every day was challenging and new. I'll never forget my boss walked up to me one day and said "Dave, get the office painted". Another officer, said, "Dave, call the Deck office, they do the painting". I did. I was told that I would have to tape off all the brass, lights, floor, and anything that wasn't going to be painted. That took two days. The painters met me outside office one night, three guys wearing lots of rags around their necks and carrying a giant container of Moroline jelly. They smeared that stuff on any exposed skin. Then they told me to check back in a half hour, they should be done. They were. They applied about an 1/8" layer of new paint everywhere, including themselves. Trust me, you don't want them to paint your car.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Haha

The Pearl Harbor movie was filmed on parts of the USS Lexington

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Oh yeah, I found out recently too that Midway had parts filmed on there as well. Not the remake but the original. I remember being a teenager when that movie came out and there was a lot of controversy about some of the Japanese emblems being flown over the ship, or something like that. I appreciate your comment!

Essex class carrier USS Intrepid now museum on Hudson River

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

-added to bucket list-

That A-3 Skywarrior REALLY needs a fresh coat of paint.......

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

They had a few examples of things needing a fresh coat. I’m sure the salt isn’t kind to historians.

My grandfather served on the Lexington and it’s the only reason i like living in Corpus Christi

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

That’s awesome, when did he serve?

@ant_jams8708

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheWanderingMantis I wish I got the chance to ask him he traveled all of him life so he never stood still. So we were never very close. He recently passed from cancer unfortunately.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

I’m sorry to hear that. I wish I got to ask mine more questions too. My great grandfather served in the pacific theatre in WWII with the 77th infantry division. It’s most famous member was Desmond Doss in which their unit was portrayed in the movie “hacksaw ridge”. I don’t think he was directly involved in that assault though. He fought on Guam, Leyete and was ultimately seriously wounded on Okinawa by a Japanese mortar.

@ant_jams8708

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheWanderingMantis a generation of heroes

The bow, or forecastle, is called the pointy part. Everybody know that.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

That’s also what makes missiles fly better

I did carrier quals. F-4 was the best!

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

The F4 was a pretty cool aircraft!

@michaelcorcoran5995

2 жыл бұрын

People don’t know it was based in Pensacola for training. There was a seal that followed it around for food. When they threw us of the back of a barge for parachute training, they didn’t tell us it followed them. Here’s 20 of us in a long line, getting picked up by a helicopter and dropped back down, to be picked up by another boat. That seal would spin around us and it looked like a shark dorsal fin. Needless to say, we pulled our legs up. When they pulled be up to the helicopter door, I said, I’ll kill you if you send me down. I went down, hated the Coast Guard ever since. USMC!

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

@@michaelcorcoran5995 semper fi buddy, y’all rock on. I will always have a soft spot for coasties though, know quite a few of them including my grandpa!

I did two boat dets on her. That was a long time ago. Be safe.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Two what Ron?

The Lexington did it's job.jan2022.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Sure did!

Are there any special privileges for former Lex crew members? My personal berthing area, tour of my #1 engine room?, You video was very nice, I appreciated it. I served on her from spring of 1961 until discharge fall of 1964.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

You know that’s a good question. I know their website has an area for you to find former crew mates and post your information for them to find you but other than that I haven’t gotten much feedback from other former crew. I will ask someone with them though and let you know. I’m glad you liked the video! When did you serve?

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

So I did reach out to the museum and essentially was directed to go to the website for information regarding any potential upcoming special events. Beyond their portal to keep track of former shipmates and maybe some special events that come up from time to time, it does not look like there any other special considerations made.

Hey I live there!

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Awesome! I have always enjoyed taking trips there.

I was in Admin in 71…..did the Plan of the Day and ran it up to Captain Davis on the bridge when we were underway.

Thank You mentioning the Intruder BY NAME at 11=25

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

It’s one of my favorites

@michaelhawker2642

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheWanderingMantis WOW did you work on them?

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Oh no no, it’s just been one of my favorite military aircraft. It’s got an odd eccentric feel like me haha

Whats with the music?

I live here. And there is free parking as well.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Lots of parking all around it seemed but the roads were pretty tore up

Idk if this is still a thing but when I went there were like millions of jellyfish surrounding the boat lol

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

I’ve seen it like that, this trip it seemed to be pretty clear!

@robbiecrites4683

2 жыл бұрын

They are at certain times of the year

Wasn't the Lexington sunk at Coral Sea?

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

CV-2 uss Lexington was scuttled after heavy damage in ‘42 sustained at coral. CV-16 Uss Lexington was renamed from Cabot after losing CV2

@ministerofmalarchi306

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheWanderingMantis I didn't know that they renamed another ship by the same name. Thanks!

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Oh yea apparently it was the fifth ship that bore that name!

@lynnwright3993

2 жыл бұрын

@@ministerofmalarchi306 - They also renamed new ships Yorktown and Hornet after those were lost at Midway and Santa Cruz. Probably others that I don't remember.

@ministerofmalarchi306

2 жыл бұрын

@@lynnwright3993 I have since discovered that a new Enterprise was commisioned and a cousin of mine served on it when a rocket detonated on it and killed 27 sailors in 1969

My unpopular opinion: The USS Enterprise (CV-6) outdoes the USS Lexington due to the fact that while USS Lexington was reported sunk 4 times, USS Enterprise was reported sunk 6 times.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

It’s like a battle to see who got beat up more.

@jonraybon8582

2 жыл бұрын

Not preserving the Big E (or even better, the Saratoga) was absolutely criminal.

Its ashame the original Lexington carrier was sunk at the battle of the coral sea in ww2

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

She did her part though for sure!

@norms3913

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheWanderingMantis she leaves a legacy with battle stars that she earned and the navy gives to ships for heroic battles

@lynnwright3993

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheWanderingMantis - That she did. (CV-2) Damage to a IJN carrier at Coral Sea, and losses to their air wing, kept it out of the Battle of Midway. Who knows if them having 5 carriers instead of 4, and more experienced aircrews would have changed the outcome of that pivotal battle.

I live there

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

That’s awesome to be able to see that beauty all the time!

@MyHappySe1f

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheWanderingMantis I've always been amazed when I saw it going over the harbor bridge

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Oh I imagine. We go typically once a year or so and I enjoy creating the bridge every time!

That’s in corpus

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Corpus is a really nice city to visit, can’t wait to go again this year

One of of Hobbies as Kid Write ✍Letters ✉Museums Lexington was one Robert Early Tell him about U.S.S.INTREPID New York maybe one day Visit Lexington also haven't Seen Sisters Hornet Yorktown and Midway yet.

Steam turbines are quiet compared to diesel engines used on ships.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Hmmm. I imagine it would still be incredibly loud in there.

I served on the ShangriLa and it was the most miserable time in my life

@TheWanderingMantis

7 ай бұрын

Oh no!

It was the 1st too have.an escalator

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Really? In the world or US fleet? Unfortunately they are relegated to the Relic of the ship and they are just stairs now haha

@lovellrodriguez8567

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheWanderingMantis I can't tell you dont know nothing on navy ships stair s..its ladders .

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

@@lovellrodriguez8567 oh okay well I will ask the next time I Visit. Is there any future Texas travel content you would be interested in seeing?

@lovellrodriguez8567

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheWanderingMantis Whataburger nation

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

@@lovellrodriguez8567 haha okay when I hit Corpus next I can do Whataburger #1

That's a jet engine not a rocket engine. Rocket engines do not require an air intake

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Yes I am aware of that, I misspoke when making the voiceover.

Nice vid. I think the soundtrack is probably unnecessary.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

I appreciate the feedback John. On future videos I have lowered the ambient volume on the soundtracks significantly.

@johnspitta6725

2 жыл бұрын

I just subscribed my friend.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Hey John I appreciate it. I have Vegas content releasing now but I have some good stuff lined up soon. The air show in burnet is going to be really good and the museum of national pacific war and Alamo is going to be good stuff with exclusives!

@johnspitta6725

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheWanderingMantis Nice! My brother and I ran out of time on the Pacific War museum it's HUGE! And I grew up near the Alamo. I'm guessing we're both locals.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

It is huge! I do a lot of work with them as I volunteer in their living history shows. I am the commander for their M3 Stuart. I feel like the Alamo is always coming up when people talk about Texas Places to visit so I am going to do a video soon on that. My sister works there so you would think I would know a little about it 😉 haha. I live a little ways south of Austin.

Could only make it abot two minutes into the video before I had to stop it. You called a jet engine a rocket engine. There is no information worth my time if you don't know the difference between those two very different concepts.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

I’m sorry you feel that way, I misspoke when I was doing the voice overwork and can’t change it now.

@BaronFeydRautha

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheWanderingMantis No worries. I even call out people who get the A 12 Ox Cart mixed up with the SR 71 Black Bird. You don't need to apologize. It's my curse. Thank you for responding to my comment. I wasn't trying to be mean spirited. I understand the pain of re-editing once you get to the final render.

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I noticed it pretty quickly after the video was posted and started getting views, I’m not sure how I missed it before. This was my first video on KZread so there was quite a learning curve. It’s difficult when you are the actor, writer, producer, production team, and editor as well. In my second video for example, I ended up repeating a word quite a few times to almost the point of annoyance. Unfortunately I already shot everything so I just did the best job I could of and made light of it during the edit and final product. I appreciate the engagement, and this first and second video mistakes has made for better videos as I move along. I do have some pretty intimate stuff involving the Burnet airshow and the National Museum of the Pacific war coming up this spring if you’re interested. I do a lot of volunteer work for them and there’s gonna be some interesting historical elements to them, which is not exactly the point of my channel but it’s gonna be good either way.

@BaronFeydRautha

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheWanderingMantis Keep it up. Welcome to the YT community. Hell, my first YT video was of a dung beetle I saw on my driveway. You're doing well. I am interested and did sub. I do enjoy watching creators learn and grow as they learn the ins and outs of editing and all the tricks you can pull off. I was recommended to your channel after watching Ryan's channel on Battleships New Jersey Museum and Memorial. LOL.

why do you blast that stupid video game music through the entire video? makes it unwatchable!

@TheWanderingMantis

2 жыл бұрын

I’m sorry you didn’t like it. The music selection was to provide filler for dead spots in the audio and was turned down. I appreciate any feedback.