Sunday Events Celebrate USS Yorktown's 70th Birthday

On Sunday, April 14, Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the USS Yorktown (CV-10) with a full day of unforgettable educational programs, special tours and musical performances.  All daytime programs and events are free with regular admission.  Tickets for the USO show that evening are $20 and can be purchased on the Patriots Point website or at the ticket office.

DAYTIME PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

During the day, visitors will enjoy musical performances by the Charleston Community Band, Back 40 Swing and Folly Beach Rhythm Section as well as a special birthday celebration at 2 p.m. in the Hangar Bay.

Patriots Point will also unveil a special new exhibit commemorating the USS Yorktown’s 70th Anniversary.  On display will be special historic artifacts, including some that have never before been displayed.  Visitors will have the opportunity to view the USS Yorktown’s commissioning pennant, personal belongings of some of the Yorktown’s best-known crewmembers, and photos highlighting the ship’s many years of service.

In addition, the Yorktown will come to life through an expanded Open Cockpit Sunday – providing visitors with unprecedented access to seven aircraft (SBD Dauntless, A-6 Intruder, S-3 Viking, F-18 Hornet, H-3 Sea King, H-1 Huey, and F-9 Cougar) and educational programs throughout the ship hosted by former crewmembers.

One such crewmember is William Robert Anderson, who joined the Navy eight days after his seventeenth birthday and served from 1944-1946.  Anderson joined ‘The Fighting Lady’ for operations in the Pacific, serving as a Trunnion Operator on a 20 MM antiaircraft gun.  In this post, he witnessed firsthand the destruction caused by a Japanese bomb that struck the Yorktown on March 18, 1945.

“A lone Japanese aircraft snuck under the radar screen by staying close to the water and came over the front of the ship’s bow and dropped a bomb,” he wrote. “It hit the signal bridge above us. Went through that and went between Paul’s legs.  He was in the next battery.  The bomb exploded down below on the outside of the ship.  Paul died of wounds to his legs hours later.  We never lost a beat.  We had 5 dead and several injured.  This occurred two weeks before we landed troops on Okinawa.”

On Sunday, Anderson will join more than 10 former crewmembers aboard ‘The Fighting Lady’ to participate in living history programs.  He will return to his battle station at the 20 MM gun (this time, in the Hangar Bay of the USS Yorktown) to share his personal stories and experiences with visitors.  Veterans will also be present at the Vietnam Support Base and aboard the USS Laffey to meet and speak with visitors.

EVENING PROGRAM

At 7 p.m., the party will kick off with jazz performances by Lonnie Hamilton III and Ann Caldwell and a 1940s USO-style show hosted by Brad and Jennifer Moranz.  Guests are invited to dance under the stars and food and beverages will be available for purchase.

Tickets for this special evening are $20 and can be purchased on the Patriots Point website or at the ticket office. 

 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

9 a.m. - Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum opens to the public.
10 a.m. - Open Cockpit Sunday begins (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.).
11:30 a.m. - Back 40 Swing performs (11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.)
12:00 p.m. - Folly Beach Rhythm Section performs (12-2 p.m.).
12 -2 p.m. - Meet and greet with USS Yorktown crewmembers (WWII –Vietnam).  Crewmembers will be stationed throughout the ship in their former work spaces and at their aircraft  to answer questions and share their experiences.
2 p.m. - Ceremony for USS Yorktown’s birthday. Upon conclusion of ceremony, performance by Charleston Community Band.
6:30 p.m. - Patriots Point closes for day visitors – gates open for evening activities.
7 p.m. - Special jazz performance by Lonnie Hamilton, III and Ann Caldwell.
7:30 p.m. - 1940s USO-show hosted by Brad and Jennifer Moranz.
8:15 p.m. - Dancing on the Flight Deck to music from WWII.
9 p.m. - Celebration concludes.