Gallantry News

The Navy’s newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124) was commissioned in Norfolk, Virginia, April 11, 2026.Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124) was commissioned before a crowd of approximately 1,800 guests, including senior military leaders, Sailors, Marines, veterans and family members.“This is the first vessel to bear the name of a Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient, and Col Barnum’s actions…

The Royal Canadian Navy’s fifth Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS), the future HMCS Frédérick Rolette, was launched December 9, 2023, at Irving Shipbuilding's Halifax Shipyard.A full two months ahead of schedule, the 103-metre future HMCS Frédérick Rolette transitioned from Halifax Shipyard’s land level facility to a submersible barge on December 8 and launched in the Bedford Basin. The ship is now pier side at Halifax Shipyard where work continues in preparation for sea trials…

The Royal Canadian Navy's second and third Harry DeWolf-class Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) were officially named at Halifax Shipyard on Sunday.Named HMCS Margaret Brooke and HMCS Max Bernays in honor of two Canadians who served in the navy in the Second World War, the vessels are among six AOPS being delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy as part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy.“This is a proud day for our team of over 2,100 shipbuilders. These two ships are visible signs of the success of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy.

Bollinger Shipyards has delivered the newest Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutter (FRC), the USCGC John Scheuerman, to the U.S. Coast Guard in Key West, Fla. nearly one week ahead of schedule despite a three week shutdown due to the significant damage sustained to Bollinger’s facilities during Hurricane Ida. The storm made landfall in late August near Port Fourchon, La. as a Category 4 storm. Bollinger’s facilities in Port Fourchon, Lockport, Houma and Larose suffered significant damage as a result of Hurricane Ida…

Huntington Ingalls Industries' (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division christened amphibious transport dock Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the christening was livestreamed, and a small socially distanced event was held with limited in-person attendance.“Shipbuilding is about teamwork and bringing together the most intellectually and physically challenging efforts we can imagine for a common purpose,” Ingalls Shipbuilding President Kari Wilkinson said. “We each leverage our essential and unique abilities to estimate…

A privately funded mission has found, surveyed and filmed the USS Johnston, the world’s deepest known shipwreck, offshore Samar Island in the Philippines Sea.The expedition was backed by Victor Vescovo, is an entrepreneur, explorer and retired U.S. Navy Commander who personally piloted his submersible DSV Limiting Factor down to the wreck during two separate, eight-hour dives 21,180 feet (6,456 meters) below the ocean's surface. These constituted the deepest wreck dives, manned or unmanned…

The U.S. Coast Guard on Tuesday took delivery of the 30th Fast Response Cutter (FRC), USCGC Robert Ward, in Key West, Fla.The 154-foot patrol craft, built by Louisiana shipbuilder Bollinger Shipyards based on the Damen Stan Patrol Boat 4708 design, is the 30th vessel in the Coast Guard's Sentinel-class FRC program. USCGC Robert Ward is scheduled to be commissioned in California in February 2019. It will be the second of four FRC’s to be stationed in San Pedro, Calif.“Previous cutters have been stationed around the nation including Alaska and Hawaii…

The U.S. Navy will commission its newest guided-missile destroyer, the future USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), during a ceremony Saturday, March 24, at Columbus Street Pier in Charleston, S.C. Ralph Johnson, the 65th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer to be commissioned, will be able to conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection. Ralph Johnson will be capable of engaging in air, surface and subsurface battles simultaneously and will contain a myriad of offensive and defensive weapons designed to support maritime warfare, including Integrated Air and Missile Defense capabilities. The future USS Ralph Johnson honors Marine Corps Pfc.

Louisiana shipbuilder Bollinger Shipyards said it delivered the U.S. Coast Guard’s 27th Fast Response Cutter (FRC), U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Richard Snyder, on February 8, 2018 in Key West, Fla. The vessel’s commissioning is slated for April, 2018 in Atlantic Beach, N.C. The 154-foot patrol craft USCGC Richard Snyder is the 27th vessel in the Coast Guard's Sentinel-class FRC program, and the first be stationed in Atlantic Beach. Previous cutters are stationed in Florida, Puerto Rico, New Jersey, Alaska, Mississippi and Hawaii.

The Navy will commission the amphibious transport dock ship John P. Murtha (LPD 26), Saturday, Oct. 8, during a 10 a.m. EDT ceremony at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia. The ship is named in honor of John P. Murtha, who served his country both as a Marine and in the halls of congress. Murtha served in the Marine Corps for 37 years and saw service in the Korean War and in Vietnam, a tour that earned him the Bronze Star with Valor device, two Purple Hearts and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Murtha represented Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District from 1974 until his death in 2010. The Honorable Nancy Pelosi will deliver the ceremony’s principal address.

1812 - The frigate, USS President, captures British schooner, HMS L'Adeline, in the North Atlantic. 1841 - Secretary of the Navy George E. Badger signs that the Chief Clerk's signature is valid on the certified copy of the medal citation awarded to Capt. Stephen Decatur, for his gallantry in action against the British frigate, HMS Macedonian, on Oct. 25, 1812. 1942 - The submarines USS Nautilus (SS 168) and USS Argonaut (SM 1) land more than 200 Marines on Makin Island, Gilbert Islands, in the first amphibious attack made from submarines.

U.S. shipbuilder General Dynamics NASSCO hosted a keel laying ceremony on Tuesday, August 2 for the U.S. Navy’s second Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) the future USNS Hershel “Woody” Williams currently under construction at the builder’s San Diego shipyard. The ship’s namesake, Hershel Woodrow “Woody” Williams, spoke at the ceremony, and his two daughters, Travie Ross and Tracie Ross, welded their initials onto the keel of the ship. Williams, a retired U. S. Marine, received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II.

1798 - Congress rescinds treaties with France, and the Quasi War begins. 1846 - During the Mexican-American War, Commodore John D. Sloat, disembarks from his flagship frigate, USS Savannah, at Monterey and claims California for the U.S. 1915 - Thomas A. Edison becomes the head of the Naval Consulting Board, which screens inventions for the Navy. 1944 - USS Mingo (SS 261), USS Skate (SS 305), USS Sunfish (SS 281), USS Flasher (SS 249), and USS Bonefish (SS 223) sink up to eight Japanese ships.

1747 - John Paul Jones is born in Arbigland, Scotland. Originally appointed to the Continental Navy in 1775, he is known for his quote, Ive not yet begun to fight! during the battle between Continental frigate, Bonhomme Richard, and HMS Serapis on Sept. 23, 1779. 1898 - During the Spanish-American War, the auxiliary-cruiser USS Dixie captures the Spanish vessels, Three Bells, Pilgrim, and Greeman Castle, off Cape Cruz, Cuba. 1943 - Following the Allied landing on New Georgia, the Japanese attempt to land reinforcements with 10 destroyers, resulting in the Battle of Kula Gulf. In the battle, USS Helena (CL 50) is hit by three torpedoes, breaks apart, and sinks, with nearly 170 of her crew lost.

1943 - At Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, Japanese aircraft conduct the largest raid since April 7. Although a large number of enemy planes are shot down, LST-340 and USS Celeno (AK-76) are damaged. 1944 - Marine Gunnery Sgt. Robert H. McCard serves as a platoon sergeant with Company A, Fourth Tank Battalion, Fourth Marine Division as they fight against the Japanese at the Battle of Saipan, Marianas Islands. With his tank destroyed by enemy 77-mm. gun fire, he persists with the attack until he is forced to abandon the tank, exposing himself while covering his evacuating men.

1813 - During the War of 1812, the frigate, President, commanded by John Rodgers, is en route between the Azores and England when it begins a series of captures of British vessels that include the brig Kitty, the packet brig Duke of Montrose, the brig Maria, and the schooner Falcon. 1869 - Secretary of the Navy Adolph E. Borie, orders the construction of the first torpedo station on Goat Island, Newport, R.I. Cmdr. Edmund O. Matthews is the first Commanding Officer. During the establishment, the station experiments with torpedoes and trained sailors in the use of the weapons.

1830 - The sloop of war USS Vincennes becomes the first US Navy warship to circle the globe when she returns to New York. She departs on Sept. 3, 1826, rounds Cape Horn and cruises the Pacific protecting American merchantmen and whalers until June 1829. 1880 - Congress authorizes the Office of Judge Advocate General. Vice Adm. Nanette M. Derenzi currently serves as the 42nd Judge Advocate General of the Navy. 1937 - Capt. Julius F. Hellweg commands the Navy detachment that observes a total eclipse of the sun.

1898 - During the Spanish-American War, USS Marblehead (C 11), along with auxiliary cruisers USS Yankee and USS St. Louis, engage the Spanish gunboat Sandoval and the shore batteries at Guantanamo, Cuba for 2 1/2 hours. 1917 - During World War I, U.S. submarine chasers arrive at Corfu, Greece, for anti-submarine patrols. 1942 - Just after dawn, USS Yorktown (CV 5) sinks after being torpedoed the previous day by Japanese submarine (I 168). 1944 - The construction of artificial harbors and sheltered anchorages, also known as Mulberries, begins off the Normandy coast. 1944 - USS Susan B. Anthony (AP 72) strikes a German mine while approaching "Omaha" Beach to land reinforcements. After an unsuccessful effort to contain flooding, she is abandoned and, within a few hours, sinks.

1850 - The brig USS Perry, commanded by Lt. Andrew H. Foote, captures American slaver Martha off Ambriz (near the city of Luanda), Angola, Africa. 1918 - After Allied troops take Hill 142 at Chateau-Thierry, France, during World War I, 12 enemy soldiers crawl in a position to counter attack with five light machine guns. Realizing his company might withdraw if fired upon, Marine Gunnery Sgt. Maj. Ernest A. Janson, quickly rushes and bayonets two enemy leaders, forcing the rest of the enemy attackers to withdraw.

The U.S. Navy has accepted delivery of the future John P. Murtha (LPD 26) during a ceremony at the Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) shipyard, May 13. Built at HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division, LPD 26 is the 10th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock built by HII for the U.S. Navy. “This is the 10th San Antonio-class ship we've delivered, and our Sailors and Marine Corps will be receiving another highly capable platform in John P. Murtha,” said Capt. Darren Plath, LPD 17 class program manager.

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced the completion of acceptance sea trials for the company’s 10th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, John P. Murtha (LPD 26). The ship, built at HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division, spent six days with the test and trials team performing more than 200 trial events that included both an in-port and underway portion. “This was a significant test at sea for LPD 26, and the ship performed well,” said Kari Wilkinson, Ingalls’ LPD 26 program manager.

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced the successful sea trials of the company’s 10th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, John P. Murtha (LPD 26). The ship, built at HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division, spent four days in the Gulf of Mexico last week with Ingalls’ test and trials team operating the ship and performing more than 200 test events. “Overall the builder’s trial was successful, and the ship performed well,” said Kari Wilkinson, Ingalls’ LPD 26 program manager.

The US Navy is christening the tenth San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship on 21 March at the Huntington Ingalls Industries' (HII) shipbuilding division visitor control centre. The ship is being named in honour of late John P Murtha, who represented Pennsylvania's twelfth congressional district from 1974 to 2010. Having served in the Marine Corps for 37 years, Murtha saw service in the Korean War and in Vietnam, and earned the Bronze Star with Valor device, two Purple Hearts and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. "When you have the namesake of a ship, John P. Murtha, and his wife to join with us and his character and what he represented in the Marines and halls of Congress…