Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum: Where history comes alive
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Ralph Mancini
Editor
Looking for things to do this summer? Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum is a trip into the past that is suitable for all ages. The USS Yorktown aircraft carrier offers a chance to get up close to exhibits, aircraft and artifacts spanning WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War.
For more information: https://www.patriotspoint.org/explore/
Laffey destroyer
The Laffey destroyer was commissioned in February 1944. “She was off Omaha Beach for D-Day and was screening the landing parties for the Normandy invasion. After that, she went back for a refit in Norfolk, and then went straight to the Pacific. In April of 1945, near the end of the war, we were invading Okinawa, which was the last step before the planned invasion of the Japanese mainland. She was on a radar picket duty and was looking for airplanes coming out of Japan to attack our landing forces. She was overflown by about 400 aircraft. She was attacked by 22 aircraft. Six of the aircraft hit the ship in Kamikaze runs. And she was also hit with four additional bombs yet continued to fight.” The Laffey was salvaged because “she had been such a brave ship and a symbol of our devotion and also as a message to the American people that the war wasn't over yet.” The ship was modernized several times, decommissioned in 1975, and arrived at Patriots Point in 1981. – Patriots Point volunteer coordinator Thom Ford.
Volunteer at Patriots Point
Retired Navy veteran and Patriots Point volunteer coordinator, Thom Ford, begins a tour of the USS Yorktown. Ford is a retired captain who tallied more than 3,500 flight hours during his time in the Navy as a flight officer. He served six major deployments. After retiring from the Navy, Tom was a defense contractor – an analyst for national defense and homeland security programs. Following 9/11, he conducted a threat and vulnerability assessment for the Statue of Liberty National Monument.
Yorktown
More modern aircraft are scattered across the USS Yorktown's flight deck.
Hanger deck
The hanger deck holds numerous aircraft, exhibits, the Medal of Honor Museum and a simulator.
Veterans volunteer at Patriots Point
Military veteran Elwood Crosby welcomes visitors at the desk located on the hanger deck.
Yorktown galley
The galley served 10,000 meals per day. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and midnight rations for men who were standing watch at night.
Sleeping on the Yorktown
This is a typical birthing space for junior enlisted men next to the sickbay. There are small lockers where they had to keep all of their uniforms and personal items. The most desirable bunk was obviously on top so more senior servicemen, who were on the ship longer, would claim the top.
Motion simulator
The motion simulator takes you on a ride with the Screaming Eagles.
Aircraft on hanger deck
There are many types of aircraft to learn about when walking on the hanger deck of the USS Yorktown.
Display on the hanger deck of the Yorktown
Visitors can use the self-guided displays to explore their particular interests.
Yorktown display
Put yourself into the picture.
Ship models
There are models of various ships and aircraft to give a visitor a "birds-eye" view.
Artillery
Close-up look at heavy artillery.
Japanese aircraft carrier model
Model of a Japanese aircraft carrier with Zero fighters on its deck. Thom Ford said the Japanese had "some inherent weaknesses in their strategy and operations that partly was caused by their creed of Bushido." Bushido is a moral code derived from the time of the Samurai that expected honor, obedience, duty and self-sacrifice. That aspect of willingness to die for the Emperor weakened their ability to train new pilots, for example.
Flying Ace
The photo next to this aircraft is of one of the men who flew the plane, the first Naval recipient of the Medal of Honor, Edward O'Hare, who took down five Japanese aircraft. He is considered the Navy's first flying ace. Chicago O'Hare Airport is named after him.
Ready Room
Thom Ford describes the activities of the Ready Room. He said the aviators were given the coordinates of the nearest land from where they were, as well as the nearest airfield. In the chart on the wall it indicates the fighters were supposed to first clear the air of Japanese aircraft, then bomb an airfield in Western Guam, called a rotating target. They are given that information in case they get into trouble. However, there is a bit of a hitch, as the nearest land and/or airfield is the place they just bombed.
Inside the Yorktown
Red light preserves the night vision of the crew while still allowing them to still see their instrument panels clearly.
Flight deck of the USS Yorktown
Stepping onto the flight deck of the USS Yorktown brings visitors into close proximity with more modern aircraft, particularly those used in the Vietnam War.
Aircraft on flight deck of Yorktown
One of many aircraft on the flight deck of the USS Yorktown, each with a unique story.
View across the harbor
View from the flight deck of the USS Yorktown.
Ralph Mancini
Editor
