Troop 95 stays aboard USS Yorktown aircraft carrier

In late April, Boy Scout Troop 95 set off from Georgetown on a 12-hour chartered bus journey to Patriots Point, S.C., where their weekend visit would center around the USS Yorktown, a decommissioned aircraft carrier turned museum.

Upon arrival, the scouts efficiently unloaded supplies and settled into their accommodations aboard the USS Yorktown, where they would spend the night bunked down in the ship’s original sailor berthing area. Scouts rose early Saturday morning, April 26, to eagerly prepare for a day filled with exploration and learning. 



The USS Yorktown (CV-10), commissioned in 1943, is a prominent symbol of naval history. It played a significant role during World War II and the subsequent Cold War, participating in critical battles such as the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the Battle of Leyte Gulf, for which it earned multiple battle stars. After WWII, the carrier was modernized and served in various capacities during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. 



Following their tour of the USS Yorktown and the USS Laffey destroyer, the scouts embarked on a ferry ride to Fort Sumter, a historic sea fort located in Charleston Harbor. Known for its pivotal role in the onset of the American Civil War, Fort Sumter was completed in the 1850s and was named after Gen. Thomas Sumter. Confederate forces fired upon it April 12, 1861, igniting the Civil War.

The Union garrison, commanded by Maj. Robert Anderson, surrendered after 34 hours of bombardment. Fort Sumter remained in Confederate hands until it was retaken by Union forces in 1865 and is now preserved as a national monument. 



Upon returning to the mainland, the scouts engaged in further exploration including a Vietnam Base Encampment area. After a hearty dinner, they took time to refresh and experience a movie screening in the ship’s theater.

On Sunday morning, the scouts packed their gear and made their way back to Georgetown for parent pickup.

To learn more, go to troop95georgetownde.com.