The aircraft carrier USS Lexington (CV-2) was struck by multiple Japanese torpedoes and bombs on May 8, 1942, during the Battle of the Coral Sea, but it wasn\u2019t until a secondary explosion crippled the vessel that the ship\u2019s commanding officer gave the call to abandon ship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
More than 200 Lexington sailors were killed in the fight, which marked the first ever carrier vs. carrier battle \u2014 one that dealt the imperial forces of Emperor Hirohito their first major blow of World War II.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearby U.S. ships rescued 2,770 of the carrier\u2019s remaining sailors, to include the captain\u2019s dog, Wags.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once evacuated, the Lexington, affectionately known as \u201cLady Lex,\u201d was torpedoed by the USS Phelps to prevent her capture, slipping below the water, lost to history \u2014 until this past Sunday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s when the expedition crew of Research Vessel (R\/V) Petrel, led by Paul Allen, Microsoft co-founder and Seattle Seahawks owner, located the wreck 3,000 meters \u2014 or about two miles \u2014 beneath the surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ship went down about 500 miles off the coast of Australia with 35 aircraft on board, one of which can be seen in the video footage released Monday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTo pay tribute to the USS Lexington and the brave men that served on her is an honor,\u201d said Paul Allen on his website<\/a>. \u201cAs Americans, all of us owe a debt of gratitude to everyone who served and who continue to serve our country for their courage, persistence and sacrifice.\u201d In August, an Allen-led R\/V Petrel expedition discovered the wreck of the USS Indianapolis, which remains the Navy\u2019s single worst loss at sea, nearly 5,500 meters below the surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\t
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