USS LEXINGTON Former Crew Member

Name: Vidanoff, Valerie L.

Service Dates: May-June 1979

Rank/Duty Assigned: Midshipman (NROTC)

One of the first women the Navy assigned to the LEX for sea duty/training! Berthed beneath the forecastle, primary duties were in Air Operations/CATTCC, but assisted in other areas and ship functions — i.e., arresting gear/cable system maintenance, replacing firebrick in a boiler (#3, I think), firefighting drills, and shadowing Shooter/ LSO on flight deck.