The USS Yorktown (CV-10) is the second Essex-class aircraft carrier of the United States Navy. It is the fourth US Navy ship named after Yorktown, and was originally named to commemorate the Battle of Yorktown. When the construction of the ship began, it was originally named Bonhomme Richard. During the construction, the previous Yorktown-class aircraft carrier, the USS Yorktown (CV-5), sank in the Battle of Midway, so the ship was renamed Yorktown to commemorate the sinking of the USS Yorktown (CV-5) in the Battle of Midway.

In 1944, the war documentary "The Fighting Lady" directed by Edward Steichen, produced by the US Navy and narrated by Lieutenant Robert Taylor was filmed on Yorktown II. Due to wartime confidentiality restrictions, Yorktown II was referred to as"The Fighting Lady" in the film. This nickname was later officially determined as the nickname of Yorktown II. As the first Essex class, Yorktown II participated in most of the naval and air battles during World War II and performed outstandingly, which was indeed worthy of the name.

During World War II, Yorktown II destroyed 1,108 enemy aircraft, sank or assisted in sinking 116 enemy ships (including Yamato, Yahagi, Haruna, Ōyodo, etc.), damaged 308 ships, and destroyed 57 trains. It was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and 11 battle stars.

After the war, from 1951 to 1953, Yorktown underwent SCB-27A modification to adapt to the take-off and landing of large jet carrier-based aircraft, and became an attack aircraft carrier (CVA). Then in 1955, it underwent SCB-125 modification, gained an angled flight deck, closed the bow, and the rear elevator was also relocated to the starboard side, and the ship appearance changed significantly. In 1957, it was converted into an anti-submarine aircraft carrier (CVS), and in 1964, it underwent SCB-144 modification under the FRAM II framework to enhance its anti-submarine capability.


In June 1970, Yorktown II was decommissioned and placed in reserve, and was decommissioned in June 1973. In 1974, the Navy approved the donation of Yorktown II to the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum in Charleston, South Carolina. In June 1975, she was towed from Bayonne, New Jersey to Charleston. On October 13, 1975, she was officially dedicated to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Navy. At the museum, the Allen Sumner-class destroyer Laffey II (DD-724) is also moored as a museum ship.