Bath Iron Works, a global aerospace and defense company, christened the U.S. Navy’s newest guided-missile destroyer, the future USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124).
The ship is named for Col. Harvey C. Barnum Jr., who received the Medal of Honor for his heroism on the battlefield during Operation Harvest Moon in the Que Son Valley during the Vietnam War.
On Saturday morning, a christening ceremony took place at Bath Iron Works. The ship’s sponsor and wife of the namesake, Marth E. Hill, broke a bottle of sparkling wine onto the bow.
“The future USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. will be a fitting tribute to its namesake’s answering the call of his nation during Vietnam, his bravery in battle, his loyalty to his fellow Marines, and his leadership and service throughout his life,” said Chuck Krugh, president of General Dynamics Bath Iron Works.
Other ships in the works
According to the release, Bath Iron Works currently has under construction the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers John Basilone (DDG 122) and Patrick Gallagher (DDG 127) as well as the destroyers Louis H. Wilson Jr. (DDG 126), William Charette (DDG 130) and Quentin Walsh (DDG 132).
“Building quality ships for our Navy is serious, special work. Over many, many hours, our shipbuilders become experts in their aspect of ship construction,” Krugh said. “We will do everything we can to make sure that the ships that sail down the Kennebec will be the best built to protect the men and women who serve our nation.
Bath Iron Works, which produces U.S. Navy destroyers, was founded in 1884 and owned by General Dynamics (NYSE: GD); its 6,500 employees account for 12% of the state’s manufacturing workforce.
General Dynamics is a global aerospace and defense company that offers a broad portfolio of products and services in business aviation; ship construction and repair; land combat vehicles, weapons systems and munitions; and technology products and services.
