Post by Keith Heitmann on Dec 4, 2004 1:52:53 GMT -5
Arleigh Burke Destroyers Christened, Commissioned
The Navy’s newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer — built by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems — was commissioned a few days before the company christened a sister ship.
USS Chung-Hoon joined the U.S. Pacific Fleet during Sept. 18 ceremonies at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, welcomed by fleet commander Adm. Walter F. Doran. The 43rd Arleigh Burke-class ship — the 20th built by Northrop Grumman — is named for Adm. Gordon Paiea Chung-Hoon, who commanded the destroyer USS Sigsbee during the Okinawa campaign in 1945. Chung-Hoon was awarded the Navy Cross for leading his crew in downing 20 Japanese aircraft and saving the ship after a hit from a kamikaze aircraft.
Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, was the keynote speaker at the commissioning ceremonies during which the ship’s sponsor, Michelle Punana Chung-Hoon, niece of the ship’s namesake, ordered the crew to “man our ship and bring her to life.” Cmdr. Kenneth L. Williams is the first commanding officer of the Chung-Hoon.
More than 1,000 guests attended the Oct. 2 christening ceremonies for the 48th Arleigh Burke destroyer — the 23rd built at the Northrop Grumman Ship Systems facility in Pascagoula, Miss. Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., was the keynote speaker at the ceremonies. The ship’s sponsor, Anne Patrick Sherman, christened Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) for her deceased father, Adm. Forrest P. Sherman.
Adm. Sherman was the youngest man to serve as chief of naval operations, assuming command in 1949. A naval aviator, he served in World War II as commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Wasp and as a staff officer for Adm. Chester W. Nimitz, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet. He was instrumental in planning many of the successful campaigns of the Pacific war.
The Navy’s newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer — built by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems — was commissioned a few days before the company christened a sister ship.
USS Chung-Hoon joined the U.S. Pacific Fleet during Sept. 18 ceremonies at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, welcomed by fleet commander Adm. Walter F. Doran. The 43rd Arleigh Burke-class ship — the 20th built by Northrop Grumman — is named for Adm. Gordon Paiea Chung-Hoon, who commanded the destroyer USS Sigsbee during the Okinawa campaign in 1945. Chung-Hoon was awarded the Navy Cross for leading his crew in downing 20 Japanese aircraft and saving the ship after a hit from a kamikaze aircraft.
Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, was the keynote speaker at the commissioning ceremonies during which the ship’s sponsor, Michelle Punana Chung-Hoon, niece of the ship’s namesake, ordered the crew to “man our ship and bring her to life.” Cmdr. Kenneth L. Williams is the first commanding officer of the Chung-Hoon.
More than 1,000 guests attended the Oct. 2 christening ceremonies for the 48th Arleigh Burke destroyer — the 23rd built at the Northrop Grumman Ship Systems facility in Pascagoula, Miss. Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., was the keynote speaker at the ceremonies. The ship’s sponsor, Anne Patrick Sherman, christened Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) for her deceased father, Adm. Forrest P. Sherman.
Adm. Sherman was the youngest man to serve as chief of naval operations, assuming command in 1949. A naval aviator, he served in World War II as commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Wasp and as a staff officer for Adm. Chester W. Nimitz, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet. He was instrumental in planning many of the successful campaigns of the Pacific war.