ИСТОРИЧЕСКИЙ СПРАВОЧНИК

USS "Lexington" (CV-2) during the action, seen from USS "Yorktown" (CV-5), 8 May 1942. Large number of planes on deck and low sun indicate that the photo was taken early in the morning, prior to launching the strike against the Japanese carrier force. "Yorktown" has several SBDs and F4Fs on deck with engines running, apparently preparing to take off. "Lexington", whose silhouette has been altered by the earlier removal of her 8-inch gun mounts, has planes parked fore and aft, and may be respotting her deck in preparation for launching aircraft.

USS "Lexington" (CV-2) underway, as seen from USS "Yorktown" (CV-5), probably during the early morning of 8 May 1942.

USS "Lexington" (CV-2) underway, probably during the early morning of 8 May 1942. Photographed from USS "Yorktown" (CV-5).

USS "Lexington" (CV-2) under air attack on 8 May 1942, as photographed from a Japanese plane. Heavy black smoke from her stack and white smoke from her bow indicate that the view was taken just after those areas were hit by bombs. Destroyer in the lower left appears to be USS Phelps (DD-360).
The original print was from the illustration files for Rear Admiral Samuel Eliot Morison's "History of U.S. Naval Operations in World War II".

USS "Lexington" (CV-2) under Japanese dive bomber attack, shortly before Noon on 8 May 1942, during the Battle of the Coral Sea.

USS "Lexington" hit and burning, during the later part of the Japanese air attack on 8 May. Note anti-aircraft bursts in the vicinity, and a plane off the ship's bow.

USS "Lexington" (CV-2) afire and down at the bow, but still steaming and operating aircraft, shortly after she was hit by Japanese torpedoes and bombs during the Battle of the Coral Sea. This view was taken about Noon on 8 May 1942, before fires were extinguished from a bomb hit on the carrier's smokestack. Plane overhead is a Grumman F4F Wildcat fighter.

Flight deck damage on USS "Lexington" (CV-2), from a Japanese bomb that hit near the after end of the port forward 5-inch gun gallery, during the Battle of the Coral Sea, 8 May 1942. This hit was evaluated as being from a relatively small bomb, instantaneously fuzed. Photographed from the carrier's island, with the flight deck palisade at right, and the port forward corner of the forward aircraft elevator in the lower left.

Damage in the port forward 5-inch gun gallery of USS "Lexington" (CV-2), from a Japanese bomb that hit near the gallery's after end during the Battle of the Coral Sea, 8 May 1942. The ship"s # four 5"/25 gun is in the left center of the view, which looks forward. Staining on the photographic image is possibly due to water damage received when the photographer abandoned ship.

Damage in the port forward 5-inch gun gallery on USS "Lexington" (CV-2), from a Japanese bomb that struck near the gallery's after end during the Battle of the Coral Sea, 8 May 1942. View looks aft, with the damaged number four 5"/25 gun in the foreground, trained to port and aft.

Planes returning on board USS "Lexington" (CV-2) at about 1400 hrs. on 8 May 1942, during the Battle of the Coral Sea. View looks aft along the port side of the flight deck from the front of the bomb-damaged port forward 5-inch gun gallery. Number two 5"/25 gun is in the foreground, trained out and still in operation. The damaged number four and number six 5"/25 guns are immediately beyond. A TBD-1 torpedo plane is on the flight deck, taxiing forward after landing, and a F4F-3 fighter is approaching to land.

View on the port side of USS "Lexington" (CV-2), looking aft and down through torn flight deck life nettings, showing damage from the aftermost of the two torpedo hits received during the Battle of the Coral Sea, 8 May 1942. This hit was centered at about Frame 85, and blew some of the ship's hull blister plating up and out, as seen at the waterline in this photo.

USS "Lexington" (CV-2) underway during the Battle of Coral Sea, 8 May 1942. This view appears to have been taken in the early afternoon, after planes had been recovered and initial damage control measures effected, but before the start of the fires that led to the ship's loss. This is the last known photograph of Lexington in operational condition [note she is already down by the bow after being torpedoed]. Taken from USS "Portland" (CA-33).
Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, D.C., 1972. Collection of Captain Benjamin Perlman.

View on the flight deck of USS "Lexington" (CV-2), at about 1500 hrs. on 8 May 1942, during the Battle of the Coral Sea. The ship's air group is spotted aft, with Grumman F4F-3 fighters nearest the camera. SBD scout bombers and TBD-1 torpedo planes are parked further aft. Smoke is rising around the after aircraft elevator from fires burning in the hangar. Note fire hose, wheels, propellers, servicing stands and other gear scattered on the flight deck.

View on the flight deck of USS "Lexington" (CV-2), at about 1700 hrs. on 8 May 1942, as the crew prepares to abandon ship, after the series of explosions that produced uncontrollable fires and brought her to a stop. Photographed from the ship's island, looking forward, with fire hoses and debris (including an aircraft landing gear wheel) visible on the flight deck. USS "Minneapolis" (CA-36) is faintly visible in the center, crossing Lexington's bow.