Migration
Navy to christen guided-missile destroyer named after Medal of Honor recipient
Stars and Stripes
March 30, 2017
A sailor assigned to Pre-Commissioning Unit Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) salutes Capt. (Ret.) Thomas Hudner on Sept. 24, 2016 in Concord, Massachusetts during a visit with the ship’s namesake. Hudner is a naval aviator who was awarded the Medal of Honor on April 13, 1951 for displaying conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War. (Ryan B. Tabios/U.S. Navy)
A sailor assigned to Pre-Commissioning Unit Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) salutes Capt. (Ret.) Thomas Hudner on Sept. 24, 2016 in Concord, Massachusetts during a visit with the ship’s namesake. Hudner is a naval aviator who was awarded the Medal of Honor on April 13, 1951 for displaying conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War. (Ryan B. Tabios/U.S. Navy)
Then-Navy Secretary Ray Mabus signs an illustration of the guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner during a naming celebration in Charlestown, Mass., May 22, 2012. (Sam Shavers/U.S. Navy)
An artist's rendering of the guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner, named after a Medal of Honor recipient and retired naval aviator. (U.S. Navy photo illustration)
The Navy will christen its newest guided-missile destroyer at the General Dynamics Bath Iron Works facility in Maine on Saturday.
The USS Thomas Hudner is named after the last living Navy Medal of Honor recipient to have served in the Korean War, a Navy statement said.
Thomas Hudner Jr. received the honor for attempting to save the life of a squadron mate, Ens. Jessie L. Brown, during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir.
The ship is the 66th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in service and the fourth of 14 ships under contract for the latest procurement program, the statement said.
Christened ships typically undergo further testing before commissioning into the active fleet.
The Navy procured its first Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in 1985.
The Thomas Hudner is 509 feet long, has a waterline beam of 59 feet and a navigational draft of 31 feet. Four gas turbine engines will power the ship to speeds in excess of 35 mph, the statement said.
Destroyers serve a multipurpose role in the Navy. They are capable of conducting independent missions and also serve in carrier-strike groups, surface-action groups, amphibious-ready groups and underway replenishment groups.
The ceremony, slated to begin at 11:30 a.m. Eastern time, will be live streamed at livestream.com/avtechnik/events/7109391.news@stripes.com