USS LEXINGTON Former Crew Member

Name: Kirkpatrick, Donald Jr. †

Email: [email protected]

Service Dates: 1943-1944

Rank/Duty Assigned: Lt. - Assigned to VB-16

Description:
My father was originally assigned to the US Hornet (CV-8) in August 1941. He flew an SBD in SB-8 and was in combat at Midway, Guadalcanal, and the Battle of Santa Cruz where the Hornet (CV-8) was sunk. He was then assigned to the “new” Lexington (CV-16) in 1943 where he saw combat in the Marshalls, Hollandia, Palau, Truk, Saipan, Guam and in the battle of the Philippines Sea. He was shot down over Truk Lagoon but was rescued by the submarine USS Tank which was commanded by Congressional Medal of Honor winner Richard O’Kane. In July of 1944 he was assigned to NOTS in Inyokern Calif testing new Navy ordnance. In addition the Navy Cross he was awarded for the Battle of the Philippine Sea, he also received the Silver Star, two DFCs, two Air Medals, a Presidential Unit Citation and ten Battle Stars.