USS Yorktown (CV-10) was an Essex-class aircraft carrier that served with the US Navy in World War II and the Vietnam War. World War II’s famous “Fighting Lady” would participate significantly in the Pacific offensive that began in late 1943 and ended with the defeat of Japan in 1945. The Yorktown received the Presidential Unit Citation and earned 11 battle stars for service in World War II.
In the 1950s, the Yorktown was modernized to operate jet aircraft as an attack carrier (CVA). In 1957, she was re-designated an anti-submarine aircraft carrier (CVS), and would later earn 5 battle stars for service off Vietnam (1965-68). The ship also recovered the Apollo 8 astronauts and capsule (December 1968). The Yorktown was decommissioned in 1970 and placed in reserve.
Today, the ship, is a floating military museum located at Patriot's Point in Charleston, SC.
This gallery features some of the aircraft used throughout the Yorktown's esteemed career, from World War II, to Vietnam.
- U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-10)
- B-25 "Mitchell", B-Model
- Douglas AD "Skyraider"
- Ship's Bell From The U.S.S. Franklin
- Grumman F6F "Hellcat" Fighter
- Bofors 40MM Anti-Aircraft Cannon
- 1.1 Inch Anti-Aircraft Cannon
- 1.1 Inch Anti-Aircraft Cannon Description
- Vought F4-U "Corsair" Fighter-Bomber
- TBF/TBM "Avenger" Torpedo-Bomber
- Grumman F4F "Wildcat" Fighter
- Douglas SBD "Dauntless" Scout Plane/Dive Bomber
- Mercury Spacecraft Mock-Up (in Friendship 7 paint scheme)
- Apollo 8 Command Module Mock-Up
- U.S.S. Franklin Memorial
- Part Of The Original Tackle Used To Recover Apollo 8
- "Doughboy" Helmet Worn By Crewman when the original USS Yorktown (CV-5) Was Abandoned
- Original USS Yorktown (CV-5) at a 22 Degree List Due To Torpedo Damage At The Battle Of Midway
- Wreck of the Original USS Yorktown (CV-5) Discovered by Robert Ballard, who found the RMS Titanic Wreck
- Type III U.S. Navy Cross Awarded to Aviator Wilhelm G. Esders, From The Original 'Yorktown' (CV-5)
- Pilot Goggles Worn By Lt. E.T. "Smokey" Stover, Who Lost His Life In Early 1944
- Leather Flight Jacket Worn By Captain James D. Cain, USS Yorktown (CV-10)
- Yorktown's Radio Compartment
- Briefing Room
- Radar and Sonar Compartment
- Sailor's Cap Worn By A Crewman On Board The Yorktown
- The Yorktown's Control Tower And Bridge
- McDonnell-Douglas F-4 "Phantom" Multi-Purpose Fighter
- Boeing N-2 Stearman "Kaydet" Training Aircraft
- Grumman E-1B "Tracer" Early Warning Aircraft
- Lockheed S-3B "Viking" Carrier-Borne Anti-Submarine Aircraft
- McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18A "Hornet" Multi-Purpose Fighter Aircraft
- Sikorsky H-3 "Sea King" Anti-Submarine and Guard Helicopter
- Vought A-7E "Corsair" II Carrier Based Attack Aircraft
- Vought F-8K "Crusader" Multi-Purpose Attack Aircraft
- Douglas EA-3B "Skywarrior" Naval Electronic Warfare Aircraft
- Douglas A-4C "Skyhawk" Carrier-Based Fast Attack Aircraft
- Grumman F-14A "Tomcat" Two-Seat Long Range Multi-Purpose Fighter Aircraft
- USS Laffey (DD-724), Allen-M.-Sumner Class Destroyer
- USS Clamagore (SS-343), Balao-Class Submarine. She is the only known GUPPY-III Type Submarine Left In Existence.
