PASCAGOULA, Miss. (May 2, 2015) – Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (NYSE:HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division christened the company’s 29th Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) Aegis guided missile destroyer, John Finn (DDG 113), today in front of nearly 1,000 guests.
DDG 113 is named John Finn after the first Medal of Honor recipient of World War II. Finn received the honor for machine-gunning Japanese warplanes for over two hours during the December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor despite being shot in the foot and shoulder and suffering numerous shrapnel wounds. He retired as a lieutenant after 30 years of service and died at age 100 in 2010.
“I often speak to the members of the Chief Petty Officer Mess about the characteristics of a leader and, more specifically, the characteristics I expect to see in my chiefs,” said Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Michael Stevens, who was the principal speaker. “I tell them that a model chief petty officer is a quiet, humble and servant leader. I believe with all my heart that John Finn exemplified all of these traits through his heroic actions that day.”
Laura Stavridis, wife of Adm. James Stavridis (U.S. Navy, Ret.) and DDG 113 ship sponsor, smashed a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow of the ship, officially christening DDG 113 as John Finn. “God bless this ship and all who sail on her,” she said.
