Lady Lex

Handwritten on the back is "USS Lexington in Norfolk Navy Yard drydock".

Since I just had the privilege of sailing onboard the Navy's newest aircraft carrier, the USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) from Norfolk, I thought it appropriate to post this photo (one of the only ones on the blog that doesn't show an airplane!) of a previous generation's floating sovereign U.S. terrirtory, the legendary USS Lexington (CV-2).

Lady Lex was originally intended to be a battle cruiser, but after her keel was laid, plans changed and she was built as one of America's first aircraft carriers. She was commissioned on 14 December, 1927.

Minor Lexington trivia: One of her young ensigns that served on board in 1929 was none other than Robert Heinlein.