‘We need ships like this one,’ general says at Ingalls event
Ingalls Shipbuilding on Tuesday authenticated the keel of the guided missile destroyer Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121).
The ship is named in honor of the U.S. Marine Corps’ first African-American general, and is the 33rd Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) destroyer Ingalls has built for the U.S. Navy. These destroyers are capable of simultaneously fighting air, surface and subsurface battles.
“DDGs are traditionally named after great men and women in the history of our Navy, and the namesake of DDG 121 is a true trailblazer and an American hero,” Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias said at a shipyard ceremony. “Like her namesake, DDG 121 will be strong and capable. She can be no other way, because our men and women in the Navy — and General Petersen’s legacy — deserve nothing less.”
D’Arcy Neller, wife of Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller, is the ship’s sponsor. Jeremy Lally, a structural welder at Ingalls, welded her initials onto a steel plate, signifying the keel of DDG 121 to be “truly and fairly laid.” The plate will remain affixed to the ship throughout the ship’s lifetime.
“We’re being contested everywhere in the world right now, especially on the sea,” Gen. Neller said. “We need ships like this one, and we need them to go fast and in harm’s way, every day. So I know Ingalls will put great care, talent and skill into building this ship, and I appreciate your effort.”
After entering the Naval Aviation Cadet Program in 1950, Petersen flew more than 350 combat missions during the Korean and Vietnam wars.
“This is such an honor for General Petersen and our family, particularly with this month being Black History Month,” said Alicia Petersen, widow of Petersen. “He wasn’t a man who wanted a lot of praise or recognition. However, if he could see this great ship being built for other young men and young women to see and look up to, he would be very proud.”
This story was originally published February 22, 2017 at 5:00 AM with the headline "‘We need ships like this one,’ general says at Ingalls event."