Nancy Ignatius News

The U.S. Navy will commission its newest Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer -- arguably the most successful shipbuilding series in naval history -- the future USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), during a ceremony July 27 at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, FL.The ship is named in honor of Paul Robert Ignatius, who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and later during the Lyndon B. Johnson administration as Assistant Secretary of Defense (Installations and Logistics) 1964-1967, and Secretary of the Navy 1967-1969.Secretary of the Navy Richard V.

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII)'s Ingalls Shipbuilding division christened its 31st Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), with approximately 1,000 guest in attendance at today’s ceremony. “These Arleigh Burke destroyers provide our leaders with the ability to conduct a wide range of missions,” said Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John M. Richardson. “That kind of flexibility is increasingly important in the world of maritime competition. … USS Ignatius and her crew will be doing the nation’s work, providing credible options to our nation’s leaders for decades to come. They’ll be respected always, welcome news to our friends and a worst nightmare to our enemies.

The Navy will christen the newest guided-missile destroyer, the future USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), today (Saturday)  CDT ceremony at Huntington Ingalls Industries Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The future USS Paul Ignatius is named in honor of the Honorable Paul Ignatius, who served as assistant secretary of defense for installations and logistics and later as secretary of the navy between 1967 and 1969, both under President Lyndon B. Johnson. Ignatius had previously served as a commissioned lieutenant in the Navy during World War II. The future USS Paul Ignatius will be the first ship to bear his name. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson will serve as the principal speaker during the ceremony.

Huntington Ingalls Industries' (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division today marked the start of fabrication for the future Aegis-guided missile destroyer Paul Ignatius (DDG 117). Paul Ignatius, the ship's namesake, and his wife, Nancy Ignatius, the ship's sponsor, visited the shipyard to see steel cut for the destroyer. Paul Ignatius is the 31st Aegis destroyer to be built at Ingalls. The start of fabrication signifies the first 100 tons of steel cut. From this point, shipbuilders will assemble the destroyer using modular construction…