The USS Yorktown: "The Fighting Lady" 1/7

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The USS Yorktown (CV-10) carrier operations 00:61:00
The Fighting Lady (1944) is an Academy Award winning documentary/propaganda film produced by the U.S. Navy.
The plot of the film revolves around the life of seamen on board an anonymous aircraft carrier - "the Fighting Lady". Frequently mentioned is the old adage that war is 99% waiting. The first half or so of the film is taken up with examining the mundane details of life on board the aircraft carrier as she sails through the Panama Canal and into the Pacific Ocean, finally seeing action at Marcus Island.
After Marcus, intelligence reports that an armada of Japanese ships is massing near Truk, in the Carolines, so the Fighting Lady and some of her task force are sent on a "hit and run" mission to neutralize it and return to Marcus, but not to attempt a landing. Once the ship returns from the Truk raid, it is then sent to the waters off the Marianas and participates in the famous Marianas 'turkey shoot'. At the very end some of the soldiers who appeared in the film are reintroduced to us, and the narrator informs us that they have died in battle.
The film is notable for its use of Technicolor footage shot by "gun cameras" hoisted directly on naval artillery during combat. This gives a very realistic edge to the film, while the chronological following of the ship and crew mirror the experiences of the seamen who went from green recruits through the rigors of military life, battle, and, for some, death.
Because of war time restrictions, the name of the aircraft carrier was disguised as "the Fighting Lady"; afterwards the ships' true name became public - the USS Yorktown (CV-10)
US Navy US Navy US Navy World War II World War II Yorktown Yorktown Midway Midway Marianas Panama Canal US Navy US Navy US Navy World War II World War II Yorktown Yorktown Midway Midway Marianas Panama Canal Nimitz Nimitz Halsey Halsey Pearl Harbor Pearl Harbor

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[mbm41796]

you have got to be kidding me......USS yorktown and USS hornet were the tow yorktown class carriers that sunk....then these names were used again as essex classes.....and after the war were made museums.....but their original sister ship THE USS enterprise that stayed alive until the end of the war....that recieved the most awards a ship could garner....the first ship to receive the president's citatation...was just turned to scrap!......am i missing something here????long live cvn-6

[2bn442RCT]

@mbm41796 It was the greatest disgrace this country ever did to the memory of the proudest ship in the US Navy in World War II. And a slap in the face to Ad,. Halsey who tried to save it.

[HaganDave]

I read that Helldivers were a dissapointment. Pilots still preferred Dauntlesses.

[2bn442RCT]

yes that's correct

[jeffandjune]

My father was on the original which was sunk at Midway. He boarded in 1941 and originally they escorted Liberty Ships to England until Pearl Harbor. My dad told me about painting different numbers on the ship as they passed through the Panama Canal to confuse spys. He was my hero.

[2007Colonial]

The -3 and later Helldivers as in this video were greatly improved with much more horsepower, drilled dive flaps and better fuel/electrical systems, served with the fleet until 49"

[ShortCardinalsFan262]

@HaganDave Haha they called it Son of a Bitch 2nd Class for a reason! SB2C

[darkpassengers]

@2bn442RCT

USS Yorktown had to be the most phenomenal ship of all. Given up for dead by the Japanese after damage suffered at Coral Sea, and estimated to take months of repair time at the superior facilities at Bremerton/Puget sound by our own Navy before being battle ready again, in 72 hours at Pearl she was rendered battle-ready again after Chester Nimitz himself donned hipboots to inspect her repairs. The pivotal ship in the most pivotal naval battle of world war two - Fighting lady.

[Bazgatow87]

Thats a fine ship and a gallant crew! Best Regards from Germany

[smartypug]

jeffandjune, I just read your post about your Dad on the Yorktown. His heart must have felt like it had been torn out at the loss of shipmates. Even armed with a paint brush they were securing our freedon and liberty. Unknown to us except for your post, he was a hero to more than would ever know his name. On this Memorial Day 2012, I will mention your story about him and how we are proud of him too! Larry, Life Member, VFW

[VF96falcon]

My father was on CV10 1944-45. I have his orginal Yorktown book. Black cover with gold lettering. He was a baker and manned a 40 on the fantail. He tolded stories of when the F4u and the SB2C came on board. Said the most dangerous times were when he ran out of donuts. 3500 saliors would hurt you. lol. THANK YOU to all heros that served as the greatest generation. My father passed in Feb08 at 82. Thanks for the documentary. Tremendous

[Davis4037]

@jeffandjune my grandad fought in the navy also in world war II, what boat is what im not shure about all i know is it was a uss lexington

[chevroletgt]

I always love watching this documentary. They showed it on the Yorktown in patriots point while I and my scout troop got to spend a weekend on the ship. Would love to take my kids down there and do the same again.