Navy to Commission New Guided-Missile Destroyer Halsey

The Navy will commission the newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, Halsey (DDG 97), July 30 during an 11 a.m. PDT ceremony at Pier J, Naval Air Station Coronado, Calif. Sen. John McCain of Arizona will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Heidi Cooke Halsey, Anne Halsey-Smith, and Alice “Missy” Spruance Talbot will serve as sponsors of the ship named for their grandfather. In a time-honored Navy tradition, they will give the first order to "man our ship and bring her to life!" Halsey honors U.S. Naval Academy graduate Fleet Adm. William F. Halsey Jr. (1882-1959). During World War I, Cmdr. Halsey was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions while in command of USS Benham and USS Shaw during convoy escort duties. Designated a naval aviator in 1935 at the age of 52, he took command of USS Saratoga (CV 3) from 1935 until 1937. In February 1942, then Vice Adm. Halsey, while serving as commander, Carrier Division 2 aboard USS Enterprise (CV 6), led the first counter-strikes of World War II against the Japanese with carrier raids on the Gilbert and Marshall Islands. Later that year, his task force launched the famous "Doolittle Raid" against targets on the Japanese homeland. Assigned as commander, South Pacific Force and South Pacific Area Oct. 18, 1942, Halsey led the Navy, Marine Corps, and Army forces that conquered the strategically important Solomon Islands. Subsequently, as commander, 3rd Fleet, his task forces consistently won hard fought victories during campaigns in the Philippines, Okinawa, and other islands. Nicknamed "Bull" Halsey, he embodied his slogan, "hit hard, hit fast, hit often." Dec. 11, 1945, he became the fourth officer to hold the rank of fleet admiral. One previous ship has been named Halsey (DLG/CG 23), a guided-missile destroyer leader, later classified a guided-missile cruiser. USS Halsey’s service (1963-1994) included eight battle stars for Vietnam Service, in addition to a Navy Unit Commendation and a Meritorious Unit Commendation, and participation in contingency operations in Korean waters (1969-1971) and in the Indian Ocean (1980). Halsey is the 47th ship of 62 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. In support of the National Military Strategy, this highly capable multimission ship can conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection. Halsey will be capable of fighting air, surface, and subsurface battles simultaneously. The ship contains a number of offensive and defensive weapons designed to support maritime defense needs well into the 21st century. Cmdr. James L. Autrey, of Moore, Okla., will become the first commanding officer of the ship, with a crew of approximately 32 officers and 348 enlisted. The 9,300-ton Halsey was built by Northrop-Grumman Ship Systems Ingalls Operations, and is 509.5 feet in length, has a waterline beam of 59 feet, an overall beam of 66.5 feet, and a navigational draft of 31.9 feet. Four gas turbine engines will power the ship to speeds in excess of 30 knots.