Advancing the integration of new Arleigh Burke Flight IIA destroyers for the U.S. Navy, the American company General Dynamics held a christening ceremony for a new ship, which will be named USS Patrick Gallagher in honor of a Marine awarded the Navy Cross for his actions in the Vietnam War. The event took place on July 27 at the company’s shipyard in Maine.
Given the Irish heritage of Corporal Gallagher, the ceremony featured the presence of Sean Fleming, Minister of State at the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs. He was joined by General Christopher Mahoney (Deputy Commander of the Marine Corps), Sean Coffey (General Counsel of the Navy), and Vice Admiral Darse Crandall (Judge Advocate General of the Navy). The sponsors of the new ship were the three sisters of the late soldier: Teresa, Rosemary, and Pauline Gallagher. From General Dynamics, Charles F. Krugh, President of General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, attended, along with a significant group of employees who worked on the construction of the vessel.
Part of Krugh’s speech included: “Today at Bath Iron Works, we are building the ships that our nation’s sailors will rely on to protect our country and our families (…) It is our commitment and privilege to ensure they are built to the highest standards so that the men and women of our Armed Forces can carry out their duties on behalf of all of us.”
In this context, it is worth noting that the last Arleigh Burke Flight IIA destroyer, the USS John Basilone, was delivered to the U.S. Navy by the same shipyard at the beginning of last month. Currently, General Dynamics’ official statement also notes that work is underway on another destroyer of the same class, the Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124); meanwhile, for the upcoming Flight III class, the shipyard is constructing the Louis H. Wilson Jr. (DDG 126), William Charette (DDG 130), Quentin Walsh (DDG 132), and John E. Kilmer (DDG 134).
Image credits: General Dynamics
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