CHRISTENING CEREMONY
Ingalls Shipbuilding will christen Arleigh-Burke class destroyer Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129)
on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. CST. To watch the live stream click here.
Email [email protected] to RSVP
Namesake
Rear Admiral Jeremiah A. Denton Jr. was a decorated naval officer, statesman, and war hero whose legacy is defined by unwavering courage, leadership, and service to his country.
Born in Mobile, Alabama, in 1924, Denton graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1946 and went on to become a skilled naval aviator. During the Vietnam War, he served as a squadron commander and was shot down over North Vietnam in 1965. Captured and held as a prisoner of war for nearly eight years — including four in solitary confinement — Denton endured some of the harshest conditions imaginable.
He became a national symbol of resilience when, during a televised propaganda interview arranged by his captors, he famously blinked the word “TORTURE” in Morse code. This was the first confirmation that American POWs were being mistreated. His act of defiance exemplified his loyalty, strength, and strategic thinking under pressure.
Upon his release in 1973, Denton was promoted to Rear Admiral, having spent more time as a POW than any other U.S. Navy flag officer in history. He later continued his service as a U.S. Senator from Alabama, where he became the first Republican elected to the Senate from that state since Reconstruction. In public office, he remained a strong advocate for national security, defense, and family values.
Watch His Story: Learn more about Jeremiah Denton’s heroism with a captivating documentary produced by Alabama Public Television.
Stream it here: JEREMIAH | PBS
Ship Sponsors
The ship’s co-sponsors and daughters of the namesake are Madeleine Denton Doak and Mary Denton Lewis.
Special Guests
Mr. Brian Blanchette
President of Ingalls Shipbuilding and Executive Vice President of HII
Dr. Brett Seidle
Acting Assistant for the Navy for Research, Development & Acquisition (ASN RD&A)
VADM James Downey, USN
Commander, Naval Sea Systems CommandÂ
CDR Commander Jeffrey Perry, CHC, USN
Command Chaplain, Bougainville (LHA 8)
Jeremiah Denton is the third Flight III destroyer to be constructed at Ingalls Shipbuilding. The Flight III upgrade incorporates a number of design modifications that collectively provide significantly enhanced capability.
An Arleigh Burke-class Flight III destroyer features the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) and the Aegis Baseline 10 Combat System that is required to keep pace with the threats well into the 21st century.  Â
Ingalls has delivered 35 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to the U.S. Navy including the first Flight III, Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), to the Navy in June 2023 as part of the transition to Flight III destroyers. Ingalls now has five Flight III destroyers under construction including Ted Stevens (DDG 128), Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129), George M. Neal (DDG 131), Sam Nunn (DDG 133) and Thad Cochran (DDG 135).
In addition, Ingalls is in early – pre-planning and material procurement phases for John F. Lehman (DDG 137), Telesfordo Trinidad (DDG 139), Ernest E. Evans (DDG 141) and Charles French (DDG 142).
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Ship Milestones
