George M. Neal (DDG 131) Christening
Date: Saturday, Jul 11, 2026
Location: Ingalls Shipbuilding
Type: Ceremony
Ingalls Shipbuilding will christen Arleigh-Burke class destroyer George M. Neal (DDG 131) at the shipyard on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. CST.
Live Stream
Live stream of the christening of George M. Neal (DDG 131)
Ceremony Guests
Mr. Christopher D. Kastner
President and Chief Executive Officer, HII
Mr. Brian Blanchette
President, Ingalls Shipbuilding and Executive Vice President, HII
The Honorable Mike Ezell
U.S. Representative for Mississippi's Fourth Congressional District
Mr. William Toti
Performing the Duties of the Under Secretary of the Navy
Vice Admiral Douglas Williams, USN
Director, Portfolio Acquisition Executive Strategic Systems Programs
Mr. Christopher Miller
Portfolio Acquisition Executive, Maritime
Rear Admiral Brian Metcalf, USN
Deputy Portfolio Acquisition Executive Maritime for Combatants
Captain Jay Young, USN
Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) Class Shipbuilding Program Manager
Captain Randy Slaff, USN
Commanding Officer, Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Gulf Coast
George M. Neal - Named for Courage
Every ship has a story. Before George M. Neal (DDG 131) is christened, hear from the shipbuilders who have helped lead the way as they share what the ship's milestones, mission and namesake mean to them.
Namesake History of George M. Neal
Named to honor Korean War veteran, Aviation Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class George M. Neal, who was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic actions while attempting to rescue a fellow service member.
Neal volunteered as crewman to fly in a helicopter deep into North Korean mountains to attempt the rescue of a Marine aviator who had been shot down and was trapped by the enemy. During the rescue attempt, under heavy enemy fire, Neal’s helicopter was disabled and crashed. He assisted his pilot and the rescued aviator in evading enemy forces for nine days before being captured and held as a prisoner of war. Neal was eventually released and returned to the U.S. with more than 320 fellow POWs in 1952.
Ship Facts
George M. Neal (DDG 131) is the fourth Flight III destroyer to be constructed at Ingalls. Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers incorporate a number of design modifications that collectively provide significantly enhanced capability including the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) and the Aegis Baseline 10 Combat System that are designed to keep pace with the threats well into the 21st century.
Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are highly capable, multi-mission ships and can conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection. Guided missile destroyers are the backbone of the U.S. surface fleet and are capable of fighting multiple air, surface and subsurface threats simultaneously.
Ship Milestones
Started Construction
Ingalls Shipbuilding division officially started fabrication of the Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) destroyer _George M. Neal _(DDG 131) December 2021.
https://www.hii.com/news/hii-begins-fabrication-of-destroyer-george-m-neal-ddg-131
Keel Authenticated
The keel of the Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) guided missile destroyer _George M. Neal _(DDG 131) was authenticated December 2023.
https://www.hii.com/news/hii-ingalls-shipbuilding-authenticates-destroyer-george-m-neal-ddg-131-keel
Launched
The future USS _George M. Nea_l (DDG 131) was launched on April 2026, marking a major construction milestone for the fourth Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer to be built at the shipyard.
Ingalls Shipbuilding, a Division of HII
Employing more than 11,000 individuals, HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division in Pascagoula is the largest manufacturing employer in Mississippi and a major contributor to the economic growth of Alabama.
For 87 years, Ingalls has designed, built and maintained amphibious ships and destroyers for the U.S. Navy. As the Navy’s largest supplier of surface combatants, Ingalls is simultaneously building three classes of ships (DDG 51 Flight III, LHA, and LPD Flight II) and modernizing the Zumwalt-class of guided missile destroyers with technology upgrades including the incorporation of the conventional prompt strike weapons system. Ingalls supported the U.S. Coast Guard for nearly two decades by building and delivering 10 Legend-class national security cutters (NSCs).
Ingalls is the builder-of-record for both the Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) guided missile destroyers and America class (LHA 6) large deck amphibious ships; and the sole builder of the Navy San Antonio-class (LPD 17) amphibious assault ships.
Named for Courage | George M. Neal
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Every ship has a story. As we continue to celebrate the recent christening of George M. Neal #DDG131, hear from the shipbuilders who have helped lead the way as they share what the ship's milestones, mission and namesake mean to them.
