CV-2 U.S.S. Lexington

Version: 16-03-08 (D-M-Y) - 33 pics
USS Lexington, nicknamed the "Gray Lady" or "Lady Lex",  was the name ship of the Lexington class.
Lexington was launched 3 October 1925, sponsored by Mrs. Theodore Douglas Robinson (wife of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy), and commissioned 14 December 1927, Captain Albert W. Marshall in command.

The USS LEXINGTON(CV-2) was originally designated CC-1 being laid down as a battlecruiser on 8 Jan 1921 at Quincy, Massachusetts.
Authorized to be completed as an aircraft carrier on 1 July 1922 and commissioned 14 December 1927.

On 7 December 1941 the USS LEXINGTON, based at Pearl Harbor, received word of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
She immediately launched searchplanes to hunt for the Japanese fleet.
Note: Each carrier had an own color for the tail of the planes aboard - the Lexington used Lemon Yellow tails.
PreWar, the sections (of three aircraft) used different colored wingbands and cowlings.
A complete colored cowling indicates the section-leader.

 

 

 

 

1928 - PreWar

?

VB-2

VF-2
"Flying Chiefs"

VS-2
"Indian Chiefs"

VT-2
 
18 Vought SB2U-1 VINDICATOR 18 Grumman F3F-3 18 SBU-1 CORSAIR 18 Douglas TBD-1 DEVASTATORs
 2-B-1
section leader I		  2-F-1
section leader I		  2-S-1
section leader I		  2-T-1
section leader I
 2-B-2  2-F-2  2-S-2  2-T-2
 2-B-3  2-F-3  2-S-3  2-T-3
 2-B-4
section leader II		  2-F-4
section leader II		  2-S-4
section leader II		  2-T-4
section leader II
 2-B-5  2-F-5  2-S-5  2-T-5
 2-B-6  2-F-6  2-S-6  2-T-6
 2-B-7
section leader III		  2-F-7
section leader III		  2-S-7
section leader III		  2-T-7
section leader III
 2-B-8  2-F-8  2-S-8  2-T-8
 2-B-9  2-F-9  2-S-9  2-T-9
 2-B-10
section leader IV		  2-F-10
section leader IV		  2-S-10
section leader IV
executive officer
early 1937		  2-T-10
section leader IV
 2-B-11  2-F-11  2-S-11  2-T-11
 2-B-12  2-F-12  2-S-12  2-T-12
 2-B-13
section leader V		  2-F-13
section leader V		  2-S-13
section leader V		  2-T-13
section leader V
 2-B-14  2-F-14  2-S-14  2-T-14
 2-B-15  2-F-15  2-S-15  2-T-15
 2-B-16
section leader VI		  2-F-16
section leader VI		  2-S-16
section leader VI		  2-T-16
section leader VI
 2-B-17  2-F-17  2-S-17  2-T-17
 2-B-18  2-F-18  2-S-18  2-T-18

 

 

 

 

1934 - PreWar
Lexington Air Group

?

VB-2

VF-2
"Flying Chiefs"

VS-2
"Indian Chiefs"

VT-2
 
18 Boeing F4B-4 18 Boeing F4B-4 18 SBU-1 CORSAIR 18 Douglas TBD-1 DEVASTATORs
 2-B-1
section leader I		  2-F-1
section leader I		  2-S-1
section leader I		  2-T-1
 2-B-2  2-F-2  2-S-2  2-T-2
 2-B-3  2-F-3  2-S-3  2-T-3
 2-B-4
section leader II		  2-F-4
section leader II		  2-S-4
section leader II		  2-T-4
section leader II
 2-B-5  2-F-5  2-S-5  2-T-5
 2-B-6  2-F-6  2-S-6  2-T-6
 2-B-7
section leader III
 2-F-7
section leader III 'Adorimini'
1934		  2-S-7
section leader III		  2-T-7
section leader III
 2-B-8  2-F-8  2-S-8  2-T-8
 2-B-9  2-F-9  2-S-9  2-T-9
 2-B-10
section leader IV		  2-F-10
section leader IV
 2-S-10
section leader IV
executive officer
early 1937		  2-T-10
section leader IV
 2-B-11  2-F-11  2-S-11  2-T-11
 2-B-12  2-F-12  2-S-12  2-T-12

 2-B-13
section leader V		  2-F-13
section leader V		  2-S-13
section leader V		  2-T-13
section leader V
 2-B-14  2-F-14  2-S-14  2-T-14
 2-B-15  2-F-15  2-S-15  2-T-15
 2-B-16
section leader VI		  2-F-16
section leader VI		  2-S-16
section leader VI		  2-T-16
section leader VI
 2-B-17  2-F-17  2-S-17  2-T-17
 2-B-18  2-F-18  2-S-18  2-T-18

 

 

 

 

1934 - Measure 3 "light grey"
 (Peacetime only)

Lexington Air Group
1934
Note: This early, "Air Group" was just to give the flying part a name - and they were simply named by the ship.

?

VB-2

VF-2
"Flying Chiefs"

VS-2
"Indian Chiefs"

VT-2
 
18 Boeing F4B-4 18 Boeing F4B-4 18 SBU-1 CORSAIR 18 Douglas TBD-1 DEVASTATORs
 2-B-1
section leader I		  2-F-1
section leader I		  2-S-1
section leader I		  2-T-1
 2-B-2  2-F-2  2-S-2  2-T-2
 2-B-3  2-F-3  2-S-3  2-T-3
 2-B-4
section leader II		  2-F-4
section leader II		  2-S-4
section leader II		  2-T-4
section leader II
 2-B-5  2-F-5  2-S-5  2-T-5
 2-B-6  2-F-6  2-S-6  2-T-6
 2-B-7
section leader III
 2-F-7
section leader III 'Adorimini'
1934		  2-S-7
section leader III		  2-T-7
section leader III
 2-B-8  2-F-8  2-S-8  2-T-8
 2-B-9  2-F-9  2-S-9  2-T-9
 2-B-10
section leader IV		  2-F-10
section leader IV
 2-S-10
section leader IV
executive officer		  2-T-10
section leader IV
 2-B-11  2-F-11  2-S-11  2-T-11
 2-B-12  2-F-12  2-S-12  2-T-12
 2-B-13
section leader V
 2-F-13
section leader V		  2-S-13
section leader V		  2-T-13
section leader V
 2-B-14
 2-F-14 		 2-S-14  2-T-14
 2-B-15  2-F-15  2-S-15  2-T-15
 2-B-16
section leader VI
 2-F-16
section leader VI		  2-S-16
section leader VI		  2-T-16
section leader VI
 2-B-17  2-F-17  2-S-17  2-T-17
 2-B-18  2-F-18  2-S-18  2-T-18

 

 

 

 

1938 - Measure 3 "light grey"
 (Peacetime only)

CVG-2
1938
Note: In 1938, The "Air Group" was officially introduced and got an own commander (CAG).
Even today, when groups were replaced by wings, the abbreviation for the commander is CAG.
Commander Lexington Air Group (CLAG)
Vought SB2U-1 VINDICATOR

COMMANDER
LEXINGTON AIR GROUP

?

VB-2

VF-2
"Flying Chiefs"

VS-2
"Indian Chiefs"

VT-2
 
18 Vought SB2U-1 VINDICATOR 18 Brewster F2A-1 BUFFALO 18 Curtiss SBC-4 HELLDIVER 18 Douglas TBD-1 DEVASTATORs
 2-B-1
section leader I & CO VB-2
 2-F-1
section leader I & CO VF-2
-
-
 2-S-1
section leader I & CO VS-2
-
-
TBD-1  2-T-1  (BuNo 0300)
section leader I & CO VT-2
Lt.Cdr. W. Sinton
San Diego/California, early 1938
 2-B-2  2-F-2  2-S-2
 2-T-2
 2-B-3  2-F-3  2-S-3  2-T-3
 2-B-4
section leader II		  2-F-4
section leader II		  2-S-4
section leader II		  2-T-4
section leader II
 2-B-5  2-F-5  2-S-5  2-T-5
 2-B-6  2-F-6  2-S-6  2-T-6
 2-B-7
section leader III
 2-F-7
section leader III
 2-S-7
section leader III
 2-T-7
section leader III
 2-B-8  2-F-8  2-S-8
 2-T-8
 2-B-9  2-F-9  2-S-9  2-T-9
 2-B-10
section leader IV
 2-F-10
section leader IV
Letter 'E' means (excellence)		  2-S-10
section leader IV		  2-T-10
section leader IV
 2-B-11
 2-F-11 		 2-S-11  2-T-11
 2-B-12  2-F-12  2-S-12  2-T-12

 2-B-13
section leader V
1939		  2-F-13
section leader V		  2-S-13
section leader V		  2-T-13
section leader V
 2-B-14
 2-F-14 		 2-S-14  2-T-14
 2-B-15  2-F-15  2-S-15  2-T-15
 2-B-16
section leader VI
 2-F-16
section leader VI		  2-S-16
section leader VI		  2-T-16
section leader VI
 2-B-17  2-F-17  2-S-17  2-T-17
 2-B-18  2-F-18  2-S-18  2-T-18
1941
wake Island December 23, 1941
 2-B-1
section leader I		  2-F-1
section leader I		  2-S-1
section leader I		  2-T-1
section leader I
 2-B-2  2-F-2  2-S-2  2-T-2
 2-B-3  2-F-3  2-S-3  2-T-3

 

 

 

 

1939 - Measure 3 "light grey"
 (Peacetime only)

CVG-3
1939
Temporarily operating aboard the USS Lexington for a single cruise in 1939, for which the squadron adopted the Lexington's yellow tail.
In 1940, they flew from their home carrier Saratoga again.
Commander Saratoga Air Group (CSAG)
Curtiss SBC-4 HELLDIVER
AIR GROUP COMMANDER
U.S.S. SARATOGA

VB-3

VF-3

VS-3

VT-3
18 Boeing F4B-4 18 Brewster F2A-2 BUFFALO 18 SBC-3 HELLDIVER 18 Douglas TBD-1 DEVASTATORs
 3-B-1
section leader I		  3-F-1
section leader I
 3-S-1
section leader I
-		  3-T-1
section leader I
 3-B-2  3-F-2  3-S-2
 3-T-2
 3-B-3  3-F-3  3-S-3  3-T-3
 3-B-4
section leader II		  3-F-4
section leader II		  3-S-4
section leader II		  3-T-4
section leader II
 3-B-5  3-F-5  3-S-5  3-T-5
 3-B-6  3-F-6  3-S-6  3-T-6
 3-B-7
section leader III		  3-F-7
section leader III
 6-S-7
section leader III		 3-T-7
section leader III
 3-B-8  3-F-8  3-S-8  3-T-8
 3-B-9  3-F-9  3-S-9  3-T-9
 3-B-10
section leader IV
& executive officer
 3-F-10  (BuNo1396)
section leader IV
& executive officer
 3-S-10
section leader IV
& executive officer		  3-T-10
section leader IV
& executive officer
 3-B-11
 3-F-11 		 3-S-11  3-T-11
 3-B-12
 3-F-12 		 3-S-12  3-T-12
 3-B-13
section leader V
 3-F-13
section leader V
 3-S-13
section leader V		  3-T-13
section leader V
 3-B-14
 3-F-14 		 3-S-14  3-T-14
 3-B-15
 3-F-15 		 3-S-15  3-T-15
 3-B-16
section leader VI
 3-F-16
section leader VI		  3-S-16
section leader VI		  3-T-16  (BuNo ....)
section leader VI
 3-B-17
 3-F-17 		 3-S-17  3-T-17
 3-B-18
 3-F-18 		 3-S-18  3-T-18

 

 

 

 

1941 Measure 1 & 5
 (in october 1941)

CVG-2
X Deployment:  1941

Engagement: ...

 
Commander CVG-2 (CAG)
Vought SB2U-1 VINDICATOR
-

?

VB-2

VF-2
"Flying Chiefs"

VS-2
"Indian Chiefs"

VT-2
 
18 Douglas SBD-2 DAUNTLESS 18 Brewster F2A-1 BUFFALO   18 Douglas TBD-1 DEVASTATORs
 2-B-1
section leader I		  2-F-1
section leader I		  2-S-1
section leader I		  2-T-1
section leader I
 2-B-?
SBD-2 BuNo 2106, the sixth of 87 SBD-2s delivered to the U.S. Navy in 1940-41,  was initially assigned to Bombing Two (VB-2) aboard the U.S.S. Lexington
 (CV-2) in 1941.  		 2-F-2  2-S-2  2-T-2
 2-B-3  2-F-3  2-S-3  2-T-3
 2-B-3  2-F-3  2-S-3  2-T-3
 2-B-4  2-F-4  2-S-4  2-T-4
 2-B-5  2-F-5  2-S-5  2-T-5
 2-B-6  2-F-6  2-S-6  2-T-6
 2-B-7  2-F-7  2-S-7  2-T-7
 2-B-8  2-F-8  2-S-8  2-T-8
 2-B-9  2-F-9  2-S-9  2-T-9
 2-B-10  2-F-10  2-S-10  2-T-10
 2-B-11  2-F-11  2-S-11  2-T-11
 2-B-12  2-F-12  2-S-12  2-T-12
 2-B-13  2-F-13  2-S-13  2-T-13
 2-B-14  2-F-14  2-S-14  2-T-14
 2-B-15  2-F-15  2-S-15  2-T-15
 2-B-16  2-F-16  2-S-16  2-T-16
 2-B-17  2-F-17  2-S-17  2-T-17
 2-B-18  2-F-18  2-S-18  2-T-18
She participated in the Army-Navy War Games in Louisiana in the fall of 1941 that set the stage for American participation in the coming war, where she sustained engine damage.  Thus, 2106 was left behind at Ford Island on December 5, 1941, when Lexington sailed to reinforce Wake Island with Marine aircraft. 

2106 survived the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, rejoining VB-2 on December 12 when Lexington returned from her unsuccessful reinforcement mission.

 

BuNo 2106 took part in the raids carried out by Lexington in February and March, 1942, including the strike against the new Japanese bases at Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea, on March 10, 1942, a mission that saw the carrier aircraft launched southeast of New Guinea and climbing over the Owen-Stanley mountain range to make their surprise attack.  Lt.(j.g.) Mark Twain Whittier, pilot of 2106, was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions on this mission.

Lexington returned to Pearl Harbor at the end of March, and BuNo 2106 was again off-loaded, this time being sent to the Pearl Harbor aircraft pool for reassignment. 

 

 

Measure ?
 ----

Lexington Air Group
X Deployment:  1942

Engagement: Coral Sea (7-8 May 1942)
Lexington sailed in late April to meet her fate at the Battle of the Coral Sea, where VB-2 lost all but five of their SBDs when the ship was lost.
Commander Lexington Air Group (CLAG)
Douglas SBD-3 DAUNTLESS
 ??
-

?

VB-2

VF-2
"Flying Chiefs"

VS-2
"Indian Chiefs"

VT-2
 
Douglas SBD-2 DAUNTLESS  Brewster F2A-1 BUFFALO Douglas SBD-2 DAUNTLESS  Douglas TBD-1 DEVASTATORs
Note: The big roundels many say, were used at Coral Sea, were actually only used by the Enterprise Group at that time.
But the Enterprise arrived too late at Coral Sea and was not involved.

So Lexington planes, probably all still had the smaller roundels. Thus the VB-2 skins shown here are wrong.
 2-B-1  2-F-1  2-S-1
 2-T-1
 2-B-2  2-F-2  2-S-2  2-T-2
 2-B-3  2-F-3  2-S-3  2-T-3

 2-B-4 		 2-F-4  2-S-4  2-T-4
 2-B-5  2-F-5  2-S-5  2-T-5
 2-B-6  2-F-6  2-S-6  2-T-6
 2-B-7  2-F-7  2-S-7  2-T-7
 2-B-8  2-F-8  2-S-8  2-T-8
 2-B-9  2-F-9  2-S-9  2-T-9
 2-B-10
 2-F-10
 2-S-10 		 2-T-10
 2-B-11  2-F-11  2-S-11  2-T-11
 2-B-12  2-F-12
 2-S-12
LT (jg) John Leppla
John Liska		  2-T-12

 2-B-13 		 2-F-13  2-S-13  2-T-13

 2-B-14 		 2-F-14  2-S-14  2-T-14
 2-B-15  2-F-15  2-S-15  2-T-15
 2-B-16  2-F-16  2-S-16  2-T-16
 2-B-17  2-F-17  2-S-17  2-T-17

 2-B-18
 2-F-18 		 2-S-18  2-T-18

On 7 May 1942, USS LEXINGTON'S air group sank the Japanese light carrier SHOHO.
On May 8th, the USS LEXINGTON was hit by 2 torpedos and 3 bombs.
She finaly rolled over on her side and sank later that day.

The first US Aircraft Carrier sank in WWII, the USS LEXINGTON received 2 battle stars for her gallant service.

 

 

 

 

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