Navy Announces Commissioning of Submarine North Carolina
The Navy's newest attack submarine will be commissioned May 3, during a 10 a.m. EDT ceremony at . Designated SSN 777, the fourth submarine of the Virginia-class will bear the name to honor the Tar Heel State. The submarine will be the fourth ship of the U.S. Navy to bear the name . The first was a 74-gun ship-of-the-line that served from 1820 to 1836. The second was a Tennessee-class armored cruiser that was built at the shipyard and served from 1908 to 1921. The third was the first of the Navy's modern battleships, serving from 1940 to 1947, earning 12 battle stars for service during World War II. The battleship now serves in , , as a memorial for all who served in World War II. Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter will deliver the ceremony's principal address.
Navy to Christen USNS Robert E. Peary
The Navy will christen the USNS Robert E. Peary on Feb. 9, 2008. The christening ceremony for the newest ship in the Lewis and Clark class of underway replenishment ships will be held at General Dynamics NASSCO, San Diego. Designated as T-AKE 5, the new ship honors Navy Rear Adm. Robert Edwin Peary, (1856–1920), an American explorer born in Cresson, Pa., who is credited as the first person to reach the geographic North Pole. Peary was commissioned a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Oct. 26, 1881, and achieved the rank of rear admiral. He was recognized by Congress by a special act on March 30, 1911. Vice Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Peary S.
AEGIS Destroyer Shoup to be Commissioned
The U.S. Navy will commission the Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer, Shoup (DDG 86), on Saturday, June 22, 2002, during an 11 a.m. PST ceremony at Port Terminal 37 in Seattle. The ship honors 22nd Commandant of the Marine Corps and Medal of Honor recipient Gen. David M. Shoup (1904-1983) for his actions during the initial landings on Betio, Tarawa Atoll, in the Pacific on Nov. 20-22, 1943. While in command of the Second Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, he carried out his leadership duties and exposed himself to withering enemy fire despite suffering a serious, painful leg wound, which had become infected. On Jan. 22, 1945, Shoup received the Medal of Honor for his actions. In 1959, President Dwight D. Eisenhower appointed Shoup the commandant of the Marine Corps.
