On December 7, 1941 the Lexington was based at Pearl Harbor,when word of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was received. She immediately launched a search plane to hunt for the Japanese fleet. On May 7, 1942 the Lexington's air group sank the Japanese light carrier SHOHO. On May 8th the Lexington was hit by 2 torpedos and 3 bombs and finally rolled over on her side and sank. The Lexington received 2 battle stars for her World War II service.