| Patriot's Point | | | | sinking of the CV-5 it was originally was going to be |
| Mt. Pleasant, SC | | | | named the "Bon Homme Richard." With the loss of |
| Charleston, South Carolina has long been a popular | | | | the CV-5, it was decided to rename the ship the USS |
| tourist destination. Why not? It offers an historical | | | | Yorktown. It played a major role in World War II, the |
| district of some of the finest preserved early | | | | Korean War and the War in Vietnam. The USS |
| American homes, fabulous shopping and restaurants, | | | | Yorktown is the oldest aircraft carrier still afloat. |
| antebellum plantations, the South Carolina Aquarium, | | | | Inside the Yorktown is the Congressional Medal of |
| great beaches and a temperate climate. Located just | | | | Honor Museum which is currently being remodeled. If |
| a few minutes from the major downtown | | | | it is open when you visit, do not miss this exhibit. It is |
| attractions, just across the Cooper River via the | | | | both moving and inspiring. Also on the hanger deck is |
| striking Ravenel Bridge is Patriot's Point. | | | | a mock up of the Apollo 8 spacecraft that was pulled |
| If you're a navel veteran or military buff, you will | | | | from the ocean by the aircraft carrier. Astronauts |
| want to spend a day, maybe two, at Patriot's Point. | | | | Frank Borman, James Lovell and William Anders were |
| How often do you get the chance to wander around | | | | the first humans to orbit around the Moon. On |
| an aircraft carrier like the USS Yorktown (CV-10)? | | | | January 3, 1969 they were on the cover of Time |
| Plus, they also have the Coast Guard cutter, USCGC | | | | magazine as "Men of the Year." Also on the hanger |
| Inghan (WHEC-35) open for tours. Also on site is a | | | | deck is a flight simulator that allows you to land a |
| World War II - Korean War ear Destroyer, the USS | | | | space shuttle. |
| Laffey (DD-724). The Laffey won a Presidential Unit | | | | Throughout the ship you can get glimpses of what |
| Citation for action off Okinawa, April 16, 1945. Also | | | | daily life on an aircraft carrier was like. From bunks to |
| available for touring is the USS Clamagore (SS-343). | | | | mess halls, from the engine room to navigation, from |
| The Clamagore is diesel submarine constructed near | | | | the laundry to the infirmary, it is all open for touring. |
| the end of World War II but arrived too late to see | | | | The beauty of the self guided tour is that you can |
| action. Until it was replaced with a fleet of nuclear | | | | set your own pace. One suggestion, don't move too |
| submarines and decommissioned in 1975 and, it was a | | | | quickly and fight the urge to skip sections. Tucked in |
| front line submarine during the Cold War. | | | | unusual corners are some really interesting displays. |
| USS Yorktown | | | | For example, deep in the bowels of the great ship is |
| If you're coming to Charleston for a visit then the | | | | an interesting display of the Charleston shipyard and |
| USS Yorktown is a must see. Looming on the horizon | | | | dry dock. The real crowd pleaser of the USS |
| just across the harbor from the Charleston historical | | | | Yorktown is the flight deck. |
| district, it is hard to miss. From downtown Charleston | | | | On the flight deck is a collection of 25 different |
| it is a quick trip up East Bay Street to the Ravenel | | | | airplanes and helicopters including: an A-4 Skyhawk, |
| Bridge - the view from the top is amazing. Stay in | | | | an A-6 Intruder, an A-7 Corsair, an F-4 Phantom, an |
| the right lane - there are a bunch of them on this | | | | F-9 Cougar, and an F-14 Tomcat - the recently |
| new bridge and the first main street to the right | | | | retired fighter made famous by Tom Cruise in "Top |
| leads to Patriot's Point. | | | | Gun." Bring your camera for this stop. Not only are |
| The Yorktown alone is a full day if you try to see it | | | | the aircraft interesting, the views of Charleston just |
| all in one bite. Be sure to wear your walking shoes. | | | | across the bay and the Ravenel Bridge are |
| There is a lot to see but there are narrow steps and | | | | spectacular. |
| tight quarters. If you have trouble walking, climbing | | | | Note: it can be quite windy on the flight deck and it |
| narrow stairs or you're claustrophobic, this may not | | | | may feel 10 degrees colder than the Mt. Pleasant |
| be the attraction for you. They have done an | | | | shoreline. Dress accordingly. |
| excellent job with signage and there are tons of | | | | If that not enough history for you, from Patriot's |
| historic pictures of the "The Fighting Lady" and her | | | | Point in Mt. Pleasant you can also take a boat tour of |
| predecessor the CV-5 which was sunk in the Battle | | | | Ft. Sumter - the place the American Civil War began. |
| of Midway but not before it helped destroy the bulk | | | | There is also a recreation of a Vietnam era base |
| of the Japanese fleet in the Pacific - including 4 of | | | | station to tour. |
| their 6 aircraft carriers. The Battle of Midway likely | | | | Patriot's Point also features an 18 hole professional |
| shortened the war in the Pacific by at least one year, | | | | golf course and some nice accommodations. Plus it is |
| maybe two. | | | | only a few minutes from Shem Creek and some of |
| The USS Yorktown that resides at Patriot's Point is | | | | the best seafood restaurants not only in Mt. Pleasant |
| the CV-10. It was under construction at the Newport | | | | but in the entire country. |
| News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. at the time of the | | | | |