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USS Yorktown CV-5 (WW II)

The USS Yorktown played an important role in World War II, and was involved in many important battles on both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The USS Yorktown weighed nearly 20,000 tons and was assembled in Newport News, Virginia. An aircraft carrier, she was commissioned in September, 1937. Her initial duties kept her in the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. In April of 1939 she was shifted to the Pacific Ocean. This tour lasted until 1941, when she returned to the Atlantic. Her early duties involved training use. Many of the pilots that would eventually fly from her decks in combat received their certifications to fly from and land on aircraft carriers while on board the USS Yorktown.

Still located in the Atlantic Ocean when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, the Yorktown was sent to the Pacific to fortify the ships that were damaged by the attack. She went through the Panama Canal to reach the Pacific Ocean quickly. Although the Yorktown had been in use since 1937, this began her combat career. Her rapid arrival in the Pacific Ocean enabled the United States to begin the work necessary to push the Japanese back from their advancement on US territories.

The Yorktown was one of a new type of ship used by the United States Navy, and her abilities were noticed by all, including President Roosevelt, who witnessed her work in a training exercise in the Caribbean. The Yorktown, along with her sister ship, the Enterprise, were utilized for more than landing aircraft on. These ships could also be used for submarine defense, attacks and to escort convoys to safety. Once the versatility of the aircraft carriers became widely known, they were used for a variety of wartime defenses.

The Marshall-Gilbert's Raid

While her work was impressive, she continued her duties escorting ships. Her ability to safely escort destroyers and cruisers was an important part of the war, but the work she was about to do was instrumental in changing the direction of the Pacific Island battle entirely. When the Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Fleet decided to launch an attack on the Japanese, the USS Yorktown was drawn into battle. This attack was to occur in Marshall and Gilbert Islands. The purpose of this attack was to pull the Japanese away from areas where they were establishing a foothold, and to make it appear that the United States was accomplishing something in the war. The USS Yorktown and the USS Enterprise were the aircraft carriers chosen for the task.

The Marshall-Gilbert's raid occurred in February 1942. The Yorktown, along with other military craft moved to the South Pacific to conduct raids on enemy aircraft that led to the Battle of the Coral Sea. The Yorktown held two planes that were instrumental in the battle, because of their attacks on the Japanese aircraft carriers, Shoho and Shokaku. Shoho was sunk, while Shokaku was damaged.

The Battle of Midway

The Yorktown was only beginning her illustrious career. Although damaged in fighting, she was repaired and sent to the Battle of Midway in June of 1946. Ironically enough, her repairs were completed at Pearl Harbor, the site that launched her into battle. The Battle of Midway is considered to be one of the great turning points of the war, and the Yorktown was instrumental in the battle. The planes that were a part of Yorktown's fleet destroyed the aircraft carrier Soryu. She also played a part in the destruction of another aircraft carrier, Hiryu and Mikuma, a cruiser.

During the Battle of Midway, the United States Navy battled the Japanese, defending the Midway Atoll. During the battle, the Navy lost one aircraft and one destroyer, but, including the contributions of the Yorktown, managed to sink four carriers and a cruiser belonging to the Japanese, winning the battle. Many historians feel that the Battle of Midway was the turning point in the Pacific Ocean Theater of World War II. The losses to the Japanese Navy, both in men and ships, was too great to overcome. Because of the losses suffered by the Japanese, the United States was able to push the Japanese back into a defensive posture.

Unfortunately, the Yorktown was not immune to attack, and attacks from Hiryu's planes caused damage to Yorktown. The damage was extensive enough to lead to her loss. The sailors and airmen abandoned the ship on June 4th. When they returned on June 6th to salvage some equipment from the ship, a Japanese submarine torpedoed not only the Yorktown, but the destroyer that had brought the men back, the Hammann, as well. The Hammann sunk immediately, while the Yorktown sunk more slowly, settling underwater the next day. The wreckage of the USS Yorktown was discovered in 1998, more than 56 years after it was sunk, and under three miles of water.

If you were exposed to asbestos while serving on the USS Yorktown, or have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, Asbestos.com offers a free packet with more information. Enter your contact information in the form in the right column and we'll send a copy immediately.

Aircraft Carriers Index

USS America USS Antietam CV 36 K USS Antietam CV 36 USS Badoeng Strait CVE 116 USS Bairoko CVE 115 USS Bairoko CVE 115 USS Belleau wood CVL 24 USS Bennington CV 20 USS Bon Homme Richard CVa USS Boxer CV USS Bunker CV USS Cabot CVL 28 USS Constellation CV USS Coral Sea CV USS Corregidor CVE 58 USS Sable ix USS San jacinto CVL USS Saratoga CV USS Saratoga CV3 USS Shangri La

USS Cowpens CVL 25 USS Enterprise CV 6 USS Enterprise CVN USS Essex CV 9 USS Forrestal CV USS Franklin CV 13 USS Hancock CV 19 USS Hornet CV 12 USS Hornet CV 8 USS Independence C1 USS Independence CVL 22 USS Intrepid CV 11 USS Kearsage CV 33 USS Kearsage CV USS Kitty Hawk USS Sicily CVe USS Sitkoh bay USS Tarawa CV USS Ticonderoga CV USS Valley forge CV

USS Lake Champlain CV 39 USS Langley CV 1 USS Langley CVL 27 USS Lexington CV 16 USS Lexington CV 2 USS Leyte CV 32 USS Midway CV USS Oriskany CV USS Phillipine Sea CV USS Point cruz CVE USS Princeton CV USS Princeton CVL USS Randolph CV USS Ranger CV USS Rendova USS Wasp CV 18 USS Wasp CV 7 USS Wolverine IX 64 USS Yorktown CV 10 USS Yorktown CV 5

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