[DWar]

My dad also served on the Big ‘E’. Transfered to her from the Lexington before Pearl. Had he stayed on the Lex he’d have gone down with his 3 best friends when she was sunk. As it was he became priviledged to fight in more battles than any other WWII fighting ship. He served in the most dangerous job, on the flight deck flagging aircraft. Was part of the fire crew that fought that elevator blaze you mentioned. God bless my dad, JVW, gone since 1994.

[FlyVet]

Had to search for this, but remembered it from my love of reading the war stories as a kid, 40 years ago. Can't remember what I did five seconds ago, but I sure remember this:

"An officer on board Yorktown said, 'There she goes. She didn't turn over. She is going down with her head up. Dear old Lex. A lady to the last.' "

Dear Old Lex. A Lady to the Last. God bless the Great Men.