Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum
Located a short drive from Sullivan’s Island is the USS Yorktown. The USS Yorktown is one of the most popular attractions in the Charleston area. This historic aircraft carrier is located at Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum in Mt. Pleasant on Charleston Harbor.
Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum is home to several incredible attractions, all conveniently located in one place. The Medal of Honor Museum honors the Medal of Honor Recipients from The Civil War to the War in Afghanistan. The Medal of Honor is the highest honor given to military members for acts of extreme valor.
The Destroyer, USS Laffey, is also located at Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum. The USS Laffey earned the moniker “The ship that would not die” for her exploits during the D-Day invasion and at the Battle of Okinawa. The Laffey was named in honor of Seaman Bartlett Laffey. Seaman Laffey served during the Civil War and was a Medal of Honor recipient.
The USS Yorktown also features several vintage naval aircraft. These aircraft include a Grumman F-9 Cougar, F-14 Tomcat, and A-6 Intruder. There is also a McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom and an A-7 Corsair, among others. Also, there are several helicopters and a patrol boat at Patriots Point.
You can also catch a boat to visit historic Fort Sumter that leaves from Patriots Point.
USS Yorktown: A Brief History
The USS Yorktown (CV-10) served during World War II, The Korean War, and the Vietnam War. She was modernized in 1953 to serve as an attack carrier during the Korean War. Yorktown also served as an anti-submarine ship during the Vietnam War. The aircraft carrier also recovered the Apollo 8 capsule and crew. The USS Yorktown has called Patriots Point home since 1975.
The CV-10 was the second carrier named USS Yorktown. The original ship, CV-5, was sunk at the Battle of Midway by the Japanese.
Patriots Point is an attraction that has something for just about everybody of all ages. Overnight camping on the carrier is also available.
If you are staying on Sullivan’s Island, you can easily visit Fort Moultrie, Patriots Point, and Fort Sumter all in one fun day. Visiting these three sites is a must for anyone interested in military history. The history of these sites spans the Revolutionary War through the Vietnam War.
Learn more about restaurants on Sullivan’s Island, public beach access on Sullivan’s Island, the historic Charleston Light, and fishing on Sullivan’s Island.