CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Monday marks 32 years that the USS Lexington has been in the Coastal Bend.
The Blue Ghost – which earned her nickname after the Japanese reported the Lexington sunk no less than four times -- left Pensacola, Florida, for Corpus Christi in 1992 and docked at NAS-Ingleside just five days later.
Since arriving, the former aircraft carrier has become a museum and tourist icon in Corpus Christi.
Here is a brief look back at the history of the ship:
She was commissioned in 1943, setting more records than any other Essex class carrier in the history of naval aviation.
In 1962, she sailed into Pensacola and began training operations.
The US Navy decommissioned the Lex in 1991.
By June '92, the “Lady Lex” was signed over to Corpus Christi city officials.
Just days later, the ship was towed to North Beach.
Four months later -- in October -- the Blue Ghost opened to the public, and there was a formal dedication ceremony a month later.
In December 2023, officials at the Museum on the Bay held a ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the torpedo attack. The ship’s volunteers researched the lives and deaths of the crew ahead of the memorial to pay tribute.
In July, a good luck flag that had been on display for 29 years was reunited with a Japanese family. The writings on the flag all have messages of well wishes and signatures from family and friends before those soldiers left to the war.
A couple achievements are coming up:
A Texas Historical Marker Dedication will be presented by the Nueces County Historical Commission at the USS Lexington at 11 a.m. on Feb. 17 -- the night before the 31st Annual Stage Door Canteen.
That event takes a step back into the 1940s. General admission runs $65 for individuals or $95 for couples.
At check-in, guests will be shown to tables with open available seating.
The event benefits the restoration and maintenance of the Lexington.
