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USS Yorktown – ‘The Fighting Lady’ – Celebrates 70 Years!

asmith Mar 19, 2013
  • First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt christens the USS Yorktown in April 1943.

    First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt christens the USS Yorktown in April 1943.

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The nation’s oldest aircraft carrier museum, the USS Yorktown (CV-10) is turning 70 and Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum is inviting everyone to join in on the celebration. On Sunday, April 14, Patriots Point will host a ‘Tribute to the Yorktown,’ complete with a full day of activities, programs and fun for the whole family!Throughout the day, the museum will provide visitors with a unique opportunity to walk in the steps of the men who served aboard this historic ship.  An expanded Open Cockpit Sunday will provide access to even more aircraft on display and living history programs will give visitors a chance to meet and interact with sailors who served aboard the ship.  At 2 p.m., the Charleston Community Band will perform in Hangar Bay III aboard the USS Yorktown, along with several musical groups throughout the day. These special programs are free with purchase of regular admission.At 7 p.m. that evening, the party will kick off with performances by Charleston jazz icons Lonnie Hamilton, III and Ann Caldwell, followed by a very special USO-style show presented by Brad and Jennifer Moranz. Food and beverages will be available for purchase and guests can dance under the stars to music from WWII. Tickets for this special evening are $20 and can be purchased at the Patriots Point ticket office, or online.  (There is a small convenience fee for tickets purchased online.) Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

“For seventy years, the USS Yorktown has left an indelible mark on all those who walk her decks,” said Patriots Point Executive Director Mac Burdette. “She turned boys into men during times of war and peace. Ordinary citizens became heroes and courage was an everyday occurrence.  Today, she leaves visitors today with a greater appreciation for, and understanding of, the sacrifices of those who came before them.”

“Our celebration will honor ‘The Fighting Lady’s’ platinum anniversary by bringing her to life through educational and living history programs, as well as unforgettable musical performances that evening,” Burdette continued. “The USS Yorktown is more than just a Lowcountry landmark, she’s a national treasure. We hope everyone will join us on April 14 to celebrate her seventy years of service to our country.”

About the USS Yorktown

The USS Yorktown (CV -10) was one of 24 Essex-class carriers built during World War II for the United States Navy. Built in just 16.5 months, Yorktown was commissioned on April 15, 1943. Named after the American Revolutionary War’s Battle of Yorktown, she is the fourth U.S. Navy ship to bear the name.  Initially named Bon Homme Richard, she was renamed Yorktown while under construction to commemorate the USS Yorktown (CV-5), which was sunk during the epic Battle of Midway in June 1942. Like its namesake, the USS Yorktown (CV-10) was sponsored by Eleanor Roosevelt.

The Yorktown was modified twice at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (SCB-27A 1951-53 and SCB-125 in 1955).  Yorktown’s service spanned three decades and included participation in WWII and the Vietnam War. The ship also recovered the Apollo 8 astronauts and capsule in December, 1968. In 1974, the Navy approved the donation of the Yorktown to Patriots Point and the ship was towed from Bayonne, NJ to Mount Pleasant, SC to become the nation’s first aircraft carrier museum.

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16 thoughts on “USS Yorktown – ‘The Fighting Lady’ – Celebrates 70 Years!

  1. Curtis Thomas says:

    My wife, who has Retinitous Pigmentosa (RP), and I are interested the celebration and performance at 1830 hrs on the 14 of April. I would require seating at center stage in the first or second row. If this can be arranged please advise in order to effect ticket purchase. Thanks

    1. asmith says:

      Hello Mr. Thomas,

      We will have seating available on the flight deck. It will be on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, so we recommend arriving early if possible. Thank you!

  2. Barton Corley says:

    What is the dress code, if any, for the night event of April 14? Thank you.

    1. asmith says:

      Hello Mr. Corley,

      We will not have a dress code for the evening of April 14, although we might recommend bring a jacket in case it gets a bit breezy on the harbor. Thank you

  3. D. Cobb says:

    Does the general ticket purchase get you into the evening activities or do you purchase regular tickets and the special event tickets?

    1. asmith says:

      Good morning,

      Thank you for your note. You would need to purchase a separate ticket to attend the evening activities. We are offering a special “combo ticket” at a discounted rate of 15% for those who wish to visit us during the day and that evening. This “combo ticket” comes to $35 and can be purchased on the Patriots Point website or at the ticket office.

  4. S. Douglas says:

    If you only want to come to the evening celebration and plan to arrive just prior to 6:30, do you also have to pay for the daytime admission or just the $20 per ticket for the evening?

    1. asmith says:

      Good morning!

      We’ll close to the public at 6:30, and open the gates at that time for those with tickets to the evening event. If you come down the pier at 6:30, you’ll only need the $20 ticket. Hope this helps!

  5. w warren says:

    Would 1940’s attire be appropriate for the evening event? And does having an April 14,15 birthday gets you free daily admission and not free admission to the event?

    1. asmith says:

      Good morning,

      You are welcome to wear whatever you are most comfortable in. We do recommend comfortable shoes, as guests will need to walk down the pier and up to the flight deck. We also recommend wearing layers in case it gets breezy on the harbor that evening. Thank you!

  6. wwarren says:

    Would 40’s attire be appropriate for the evening event? Also, am I correct in understanding that having an April 14,15 Birthday only gets you free daily admission and not free admission to the evening event?

    1. asmith says:

      Oops! Forgot to reply to your second question. Our promotion applies for all those who have a birthday on April 15. If your birthday falls on that day, we are offering free admission during the day of April 14 and April 15. (The evening USO show would require a separate ticket.) Thank you!

  7. Melissa Maveus says:

    We spent yesterday aboard the USS Yorktown and visiting the VietNam memorial at Patriots Point. We would have loved to have spent more time aboard. Our favorite encounter was meeting one of the actual pilots who had flown one of the planes currently sitting in the hangar bay of the USS Yorktown back in 1945 in WWII. We were so in awe of him that we didn’t even manage to note his name or take his picture, but we did get to listen to his story and shake his hand. That experience alone is worth returning again and again. Thank you so much for a great (though cold!) President’s Day that out kids will hopefully not soon forget!

    1. Chris Hauff says:

      Melissa,

      Thank you for passing on such great feedback. Come back any time! We’re glad you had such a pleasant experience.

      Chris Hauff
      Public Information Officer

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