SECNAV Del Toro Reveals Sponsors for Future USS Charles J. French: OMB Director and Vanessa French Wilson Announced

WASHINGTON DC (Dec 12, 2024) – Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro revealed that the future USS Charles J. French (DDG 142) will have two distinguished sponsors. Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Shalanda Young, and the great niece of Charles J. French, Ms. Vanessa French Wilson, will honor the legacy of the ship’s namesake.

The announcement took place during a ship naming ceremony at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on December 12. Del Toro highlighted the significance of a sponsor’s lifelong connection with the ship and its crew, emphasizing the deep-seated maritime traditions associated with this role.

“The bond between a sponsor and their ship exemplifies the enduring spirit of the sea and the dedication of those who navigate its waters,” Del Toro stated. He expressed his gratitude towards Young and Wilson for their commitment to sponsoring the vessel.

Director Young attended the ceremony and expressed her profound honor in being named a sponsor. She stressed the ship’s crucial legacy, reflecting on French’s extraordinary bravery during World War II when he saved his fellow sailors amidst perilous circumstances. This recognition serves as a testament to French’s unyielding courage, a legacy now enshrined through this honor.

Charles Jackson French, a heroic Navy Mess Specialist 1st Class, saved over a dozen sailors after the USS Gregory (APD 3) was sunk during the Battle of Guadalcanal. By swimming through shark-infested waters while towing injured shipmates on a raft, his heroic actions earned him posthumous recognition.

Ms. Wilson expressed gratitude for her family’s inclusion in the honor of co-sponsoring the ship bearing her uncle’s name. “Thank you, Secretary Del Toro, for acknowledging Charles Jackson French’s heroism,” she remarked.

The construction of the USS Charles J. French is slated to begin in 2026, with its keel laying projected for 2027, christening for 2029, and delivery expected in 2031. This Arleigh Burke-class destroyer will bolster the U.S. Navy’s capabilities globally. With advanced stealth and multi-mission design, these destroyers are pivotal in maintaining national security and navigating a range of military operations across various domains. These ships symbolize the strength and sovereignty of American sea power in preventing future conflicts abroad.