The Navy's New Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class Guided-Missile Destroyer Is Special for a Reason
Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) announced last week that the United States Navy had taken delivery of the future USS John Basilone (DDG-122). The Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer was delivered on Monday from the General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW), Bath, Maine.
The seventy-second ship of the Arleigh Burke class was named after United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone, who received the Medal of Honor during World War II for his heroism at the Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942.
“The future USS John Basilone will bring significant capability to the fleet and strengthen our advantage at sea,” said Capt. Seth Miller, DDG 51 class program manager, Program Executive Office, Ships. “DDG 122 and all of its Sailors will be a living reminder of the perseverance and sacrifice exhibited by its remarkable namesake.”
The Flight IIA destroyer will serve as a multi-mission surface combatant, and like other Arleigh Burke-class warships can be employed in anti-air warfare (AAW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and anti-surface warfare (AuSW) roles. In March, the future USS John Basilone transited the Kennebec River from BIW to the Atlantic Ocean and completed four days of at-sea trails.
DDG-122 is the latest vessel to be delivered as part of a 2013 multi-year contract award from the U.S. Navy to BIW and HII Ingalls Shipbuilding.
“General Dynamics Bath Iron Works has six additional future Arleigh Burke-class destroyers under construction, Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124), Louis H. Wilson Jr. (DDG 126) Patrick Gallagher (DDG 127), William Charette (DDG 130), Quentin Walsh (DDG 132) and John E. Kilmer (DDG 134),” NAVSEA also announced.
“Delivery brings DDG 122 one step closer to joining the Navy fleet, where it can fulfill its role protecting our country and our families. Our shipbuilders have put their heart and soul into completing this ship and have set a new standard of quality. Bath Built is truly Best Built,” Chuck Krugh, president of General Dynamics BIW, said in a statement to the Defence Blog.
Honoring John Basilone
The story of John Basilone was told in the 2010 HBO mini-series The Pacific, which highlighted his service during World War II.
His Medal of Honor citation reads: “For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action against enemy Japanese forces, above and beyond the call of duty, while serving with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division in the Lunga Area. Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 24 and 25 October 1942. While the enemy was hammering at the Marines’ defensive positions, Sgt. Basilone, in charge of 2 sections of heavy machine guns, fought valiantly to check the savage and determined assault. In a fierce frontal attack with the Japanese blasting his guns with grenades and mortar fire, one of Sgt. Basilone’s sections, with its guncrews, was put out of action, leaving only 2 men able to carry on. Moving an extra gun into position, he placed it in action, then, under continual fire, repaired another and personally manned it, gallantly holding his line until replacements arrived. A little later, with ammunition critically low and the supply lines cut off, Sgt. Basilone, at great risk of his life and in the face of continued enemy attack, battled his way through hostile lines with urgently needed shells for his gunners, thereby contributing in large measure to the virtual annihilation of a Japanese regiment. His great personal valor and courageous initiative were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.”
As noted in the mini-series, while Basilone had returned home to a hero’s welcome, he requested to return to combat. He was killed in action on February 19, 1945, leading an assault on Iwo Jima. In addition to the Medal of Honor, Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross—becoming the only enlisted Marine to earn both medals.
DDG-122 is actually the second vessel to be named for the World War II hero, following the Gearing-class destroyer USS Basilone (DD-824), which was commissioned in 1949 and served with the U.S. Navy until it was decommissioned in 1977—earning three battle stars for service during the Vietnam War.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
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