Commissioned on 30 September 1937, USS Yorktown CV-5 was the lead ship of her class of three aircraft carriers. During World War two, Yorktown took part in the Battle of the Coral Sea, where her aircraft participated in the sinking of the Japanese aircraft carrier Shoho and damaging Shōkaku. In return, Yorktown was damaged, but was able to return to Pearl Harbour for repairs. After a 48 hour turn around, she headed to Midway Island, where she was instrumental in the sinking of Soryu and Hiryu.
During the Battle of Midway, Yorktown was hit by three bombs and two torpedoes. Although initially abandoned, further inspection of the ship proved she was salvageable. While being made safe to take under tow, she was struck by two torpedoes fired by the Japanese submarine I-168, while another torpedo struck and sank the destroyer USS Hammann. Yorktown sank from the damage on 7 June 1942.
USS Yorktown immediately after launching Newport News, Virginia, 4 April 1936USS Yorktown CV-5 commissioning ceremonies taking place Naval Operating Base Norfolk, Virginia, 30 Sept. 1937Newport News, Virginia, in June 1937, while preparing for sea trialsUSS Yorktown CV-5 underway during builder’s trials, April 1937USS Yorktown CV-5 Newport News, Virginia, 4 August 1937, following sea trialsUSS Yorktown CV-5 Virginia, 30 October 1937USS Yorktown CV-5 making 17.5 knots, astern, during preliminary standardization trialsUSS Yorktown CV-5 on builders trials, May 1937USS Yorktown CV-5 anchored in Hampton Roads, Virginia, 30 October 1937USS Yorktown CV-5 starboard side, amidships, taken while the ship was anchored in Hampton Roads, Virginia, 30 October 1937October 30, 1937 USS Yorktown CV-5 at Hampton Roads, VirginiaTied up at Naval Operating Base, Norfolk, Virginia, in October 1937Tied up at Naval Operating Base, Norfolk, Virginia, in October 1937October 30, 1937 USS Yorktown CV-5 at Hampton Roads, VirginiaStarboard side of the ship’s smokestack, taken at Naval Operating Base, Norfolk, Virginia, in October 1937October 30, 1937 USS Yorktown CV-5 at Hampton Roads, VirginiaView looking forward on the starboard side, from amidships, in Hampton Roads, Virginia, 30 October 1937USS Yorktown CV-5 at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, Ca.January 17, 1938 USS Yorktown CV-5 in the Caribbean Sea.February 23, 1939 USS Yorktown CV-5 at Gonaives, Haiti.USS Yorktown CV-5USS Yorktown CV-5 Returns to Pearl Harbor, 6 February 1942, after the Marshalls-Gilberts RaidsMay 27, 1942 USS Yorktown CV-5 at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.5″/38 calibre dual-purpose gun mounted on the ship’s after starboard gun platform, looking aft and to starboardMarines man the ship’s forward port side 20mm gun battery, circa Spring 1942A scullery on board USS Yorktown CV-5, 4 August 1937, prior to her delivery to the NavyLooking aft along the starboard side, at hangar deck level, from below the forward end of the island, August 1937
USS Yorktown During the Battle of the Coral Sea
Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless scout bombers preparing to take off, during operations in the Coral Sea, 18 April 1942Underside of flight deck structure, showing the impact hole made by the Japanese bomb that struck the ship amidshipsDamage on the third and fourth decks, amidships, caused by a 250 kilogram bomb hitUSS Yorktown, docked at Pearl Harbour for repairs after damage sustained from the Battle of the Coral Sea
USS Yorktown During the Battle of Midway
Nakajima Type 97 aircraft from the carrier Hiryu fly through anti-aircraft shell bursts while approaching USS YorktownJune 4, 1942 USS Yorktown CV-5 under attack by JapaneseTwo Type 97 aircraft from the Japanese carrier Hiryu fly past USS Yorktown CV-5, after dropping their torpedoeUSS Yorktown CV-5 after being hit by Japanese bombs shortly after noon on 4 June 1942USS Yorktown CV-5 after being hit by Japanese bombs shortly after noon on 4 June 1942, as seen from USS Astoria CA-34The final view of the USS Yorktown CV-5 sliding beneath the waves June 7, 1942.Scene on the flight deck of USS Yorktown CV-5 shortly after she was hit by two Japanese aerial torpedoes, 4 June 1942Scene on board USS Yorktown CV-5, shortly after she was hit by three Japanese bombs on 4 June 1942Looking forward on the flight deck of USS Yorktown CV-5 shortly after she was hit by two Japanese aerial torpedoes, 4 June 1942Repairing bomb damage on board USS Yorktown CV-5 shortly after the carrier was hit by Japanese bombs on 4 June 1942June 4, 1942 USS Yorktown CV-5 damaged and dead in the water during the Battle of Midway.June 4, 1942 USS Yorktown CV-5 being abandoned by her crew.June 4, 1942 USS Balch DD-363 removing survivors from the USS Yorktown CV-5.June 4, 1942 The abandoned USS Yorktown CV-5 after the Battle of Midway.June 6, 1942 The USS Hammann DD-412 sinks after being torpedoed by the I-168. Seen from USS YorktownUSS Yorktown CV-5 sinking, just after dawn on 7 June 1942USS Yorktown CV-5 sinking, just after dawn on 7 June 1942USS Yorktown CV-5 sinking, just after dawn on 7 June 1942USS Yorktown CV-5 sinking, just after dawn on 7 June 1942USS Yorktown (CV-5) sinking, just after dawn on 7 June 1942
Aircraft of USS Yorktown
February 1939. Grumman F2F-1 fighters, of Fighting Squadron Five (VF-5)Northrup BT-1 bomber of Bombing Squadron Five (VB-5)Douglas TBD-1 Torpedo PlaneGrumman J2F-1 midships elevator of USS Yorktown CV-5 2 November 1937Bombing Squadron Five (VB-5) SBD-3 aircraft spotted forward on the flight deck, during operations in the Coral Sea, April 1942Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless scout bombers preparing to take off, during operations in the Coral Sea, 18 April 1942
