The ‘Blue Ghost’ tells her story

Despite repeated attacks during World War II, the USS Lexington never sank, prompting Japanese propagandist Tokyo Rose to dub the aircraft carrier “The Blue Ghost.”

The carrier today is the USS Lexington Museum on the Bay, affectionately known as “The Lex.” Illuminated at night with ghostly blue lighting, it is a National Historic Landmark permanently docked at 2914 N. Shoreline Blvd., on Corpus Christi Beach.

In addition to a 910-foot flight deck where planes once were launched with a catapult and landed with a hook, the retired carrier also has a post office, barbershop, hospital and captain’s quarters on display.

The Lex has 20 restored vintage Navy aircraft on the flight deck with the Corpus Christi skyline and bay for a backdrop.

Setting more records than any U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, the Lexington’s planes destroyed more than 380 enemy aircraft in the air and 635 on the ground.

Virtual battle stations are among the newest exhibits aboard the USS Lexington Museum on the Bay in Corpus Christi. The battle stations are interactive exhibits that thrust visitors into the chase and grit that was World War II. Visitors also will find a flight simulator that seems to launch them into combat.

The Lexington is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day from Labor Day to Memorial Day and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Memorial Day to Labor Day, except for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, when it’s closed.

Ticket sales stop 30 minutes before the Lex closes for the day.

Admission is $12.95 for adults, $10.95 for seniors age 60 and over or military with ID and $7.95 for children 4-12. Children 3 and under get in free, as do members. Admission includes a choice of one large format movie filmed in Imax and projected in the Lex’s MegaTheater which is three stories tall. Personal tour guides are $25 and can handle up to 15 people.

A ship’s store is available for souvenir shopping and the Mess Deck Café offers cold beverages, snacks and lunch.

Group rates for groups of 10 or more are also available. The Lex also offers overnight campouts and private function rentals.

For more information, call the museum at 361-888-4873 or toll free at 800-LADY-LEX or visit online at usslexington.com.