Future USS John Basilone Ready for Grand Commissioning by Navy

The USS John Basilone (DDG 122) is set to be commissioned in a prestigious ceremony where prominent figures will address attendees. U.S. Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, will lead the ceremony with noteworthy remarks, accompanied by speeches from Admiral Daryl Caudle and Lieutenant General Roberta Shea. Other significant addresses will be made by New York’s Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol, Diane Hawkins, Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone’s niece, and Charles F. Krugh, President of General Dynamics Bath Iron Works. The ship’s sponsorship is held by Ryan Manion and Amy Looney from the Travis Manion Foundation, a group dedicated to character development among veterans and families of fallen soldiers.

John Basilone, a hero of the U.S. Marine Corps, will be immortalized through this ship. Known for his valor during the Battle of Guadalcanal, Basilone was awarded the Medal of Honor and posthumously earned the Navy Cross following his death at Iwo Jima. These honors make him the sole enlisted Marine to receive both the Medal of Honor and Navy Cross in World War II. Basilone’s legacy continues with the naming of this destroyer, reflecting the dedication and bravery of current Sailors and Marines, as stated by Secretary Del Toro.

The honor of naming the ship after Basilone was acknowledged by Carlos Ruiz, the 20th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, who highlighted Basilone’s perseverance and loyalty. Ruiz emphasized that assigning Basilone’s name to this advanced warship is a fitting tribute to such a distinguished Marine Corps legend.

The Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, including the USS John Basilone, form the core of the U.S. Navy’s surface fleet. These ships are highly versatile, equipped to perform a wide array of missions that range from maintaining peace to ensuring national security. They are engineered for multi-threat warfare, functioning efficiently in air, surface, and subsurface environments. The Flight IIA DDGs are particularly noted for their dual helicopter hangars, enhancing their warfare capabilities by collaborating with helicopter squadrons.

The commissioning ceremony will be accessible to a wider audience via a live-stream, with the broadcast beginning around 9:50 a.m. EST. Media inquiries can be directed to the Navy Office of Information for further details.