The U.S. Navy commissioned its latest Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen, Jr. (DDG 121), Might 14 in Charleston, South Carolina. USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG-121) is a deliberate United States Navy Arleigh Burke-class Flight IIA guided missile destroyer, the 71st total for the category. The ship was named for United States Marine Corps Lieutenant Normal Frank E. Petersen Jr. (2 March 1932 – 25 August 2015), the primary African-American Marine Corps aviator and the primary African-American Marine Corps basic. The contract for the ship, together with the title, was first introduced in a press launch from Huntington Ingalls Industries on 30 March 2016. The primary “chopping of metal” happened in April 2016, her keel was laid on 21 February 2017, and launched on 13 July 2018. She was christened on 6 October 2018. CDR Daniel Hancock assumed command of PCU Frank E. Petersen Jr. on 27 September 2019.
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro attended the ceremony. He started by thanking the Petersen household for his or her lifetime of service to the nation. “All of us be a part of you in honoring Lt. Gen. Frank E. Petersen, Jr.” Del Toro additionally acknowledged the plankowners bringing the ship to life. “As Secretary of the Navy I contribute all that I can to just be sure you and your households are outfitted for the various challenges that lie forward. That begins with ensuring that you’ve got the easiest ship that our nation has to supply.” The principal speaker was The Honorable Carlos Campbell, Naval aviator and former Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Financial Growth, who served alongside Petersen and relayed tales exemplifying the final’s energy and dedication. Recalling Petersen’s ethic, Campbell mentioned “He acquired a frag wound, he was handled within the subject, and returned to fight.”
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The ship’s sponsors are Mrs. D’Arcy Ann Neller, spouse of former Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Robert “Bob” Neller, USMC (Ret.), and the late Dr. Alicia J. Petersen, Lt. Gen. Petersen’s spouse on the time of his passing in 2015. Dr. Petersen handed away in September 2021. Each sponsors participated within the keel laying, mast stepping, and christening ceremonies. Throughout the ceremony, USS Frank E. Petersen’s commanding officer Cmdr. Daniel Hancock, reported the ship prepared. Assisted by Lt. Gen. Petersen’s daughters, Gayle Petersen, Dana Petersen Moore, Lindsay Pulliam, and Monique Petersen, Mrs. Neller gave the standard order to “Man our ship and convey her to life!”? Lt. Gen. Petersen continues a household legacy of service begun by his nice grandfather. Personal Archibald (Archie) Charles McKinney enlisted in 1863 and served within the Mass fifty fifth Firm E in the course of the Civil Battle. McKinney’s journey dwelling included touring aboard a steamship, disembarking on the Port of Charleston.?
The longer term USS Frank E. Petersen, Jr. honors Lt. Gen. Frank E. Petersen, Jr. (USMC Ret.). Petersen was the primary black USMC aviator and the primary black Marine to turn out to be a three-star basic. Petersen served two fight excursions, Korea in 1953 and Vietnam in 1968. He flew greater than 350 fight missions and had over 4,000 hours in numerous fighter and assault plane. Petersen handed away in Aug. 2015 on the age of 83. Retiring in 1988 after 38 years of service, Petersen’s awards included the Protection Superior Service Medal; Legion of Advantage with Fight “V”; Distinguished Flying Cross; Purple Coronary heart; Meritorious Service Medal; Air Medal; Navy Commendation Medal with Fight “V;” and the Air Pressure Commendation Medal. Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are the spine of the U.S. Navy’s floor fleet. These extremely succesful, multi-mission ships conduct a wide range of operations, from peacetime presence to nationwide safety offering a variety of warfighting capabilities in multi-threat air, floor and subsurface.
