Lexington Class Aircraft Carrier
The Lexington class aircraft carriers were the first operational aircraft carriers in the United States Navy. (USS Langley was a strictly developmental ship.) There were two ships in the class: USS Lexington (CV-2) and USS Saratoga (CV-3).
The Lexington-class carriers were constructed on hulls originally laid down as battlecruisers after World War I. But under the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922, all U.S. battleship and battlecruiser construction was cancelled. However, the Treaty allowed two of the unfinished ships to be converted to carriers.
They proved extremely successful as carriers, supporting wide-scale operations. Experience with the Lexington class convinced the Navy of the value of large carriers. The Lexington class carriers were the largest aircraft carriers in the fleet until the Midway-class carriers were completed. The class served in World War II, seeing action in many battles. Though Lexington was lost in the first carrier battle (Coral Sea), Saratoga served to the end of the war.
Read more about Lexington Class Aircraft Carrier: Development, World War II Service
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