US Navy Christens Newest Arleigh Burke-Class Destroyer

The US Navy has christened its newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr., at Maine's Bath Iron Works Monday (July 31, 2023).

The ship (hull number: DDG 124) was named after a retired US Marine colonel who received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his action during the Vietnam War.

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro was in attendance during the christening. He described Barnum as a "personal mentor" whose judgment he enormously valued in all of his decisions in his own career.

"This man is among the most distinguished and accomplished public servants alive today," he added. "May we all be a bit more like him-and may the future USS Harvey C. Barnum carry forth his spirit and his story forever."

Also in attendance were Maine Governor Janet Mills and US Senators Angus King (IND) and Susan Collins (R).

Who is Harvey Barnum Jr.?

Col. Harvey C. Barnum Jr., 83, is a retired Marine Corps officer who received the Medal of Honor for the heroism he displayed during an action outside Ky Phu, in Vietnam's Quang Tin Province as part of Company H, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines.

During the incident, he assumed command after the rifle company commander was mortally wounded by a sudden enemy attack. Grabbing the radio off the dead operator, Barnum strapped it on his back, called the battalion commander, and declared, "The company commander is down. I have the fight." Rallying his troops, Barnum organized the defeat of the enemy force and the successful evacuation of the dead and wounded.

Barnum and his wife Martha Hill, who sponsored the ship, were present during Monday's ceremonies and expressed gratitude for the honor given to him.

"I stand here before you today as a grateful American," he said. "I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to serve this great country and wear the cloth of a United States Marine as an officer of Marines."

About the Ship

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers are the backbone of the US Navy's surface fleet, providing protection to US interests across the globe. The ships of the class are highly capable of conducting a wide variety of operations, from peacetime presence to national security, providing a wide range of warfighting capabilities in multi-threat air, surface, and subsurface domains.

Built to displace over 9,200 tons at full load, the USS Barnum is the most modern of all the Burke-class destroyers, as she is powered by four General Electric LM2500 gas turbines, delivering a total of 100,000 shaft horsepower (75,000 kW), giving her a top speed of 31 knots (57 kph).

Her armaments would include a lightweight 5-inch (127 mm)/62 Mk 45 Mod 4 bow gun, a 20 mm Phalanx close-in weapon system (CIWS), two 25 mm Mk 38 Machine Gun Systems, and four .50 caliber (12.7 mm) guns. She would also be equipped with 96 cells of the Mk 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS), which could accommodate a suite of missiles, including the famous BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missile.

Just like her sister ships, the Barnum would also have a torpedo implement capable of launching the Mk 46, Mk 50, and Mk 54 Lightweight Torpedoes. She would also be able to carry two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, supported by double hangar and helipad facilities. The MH-60 is the naval and maritime version of Sikorsky's UH-60 Black Hawk.

The Barnum's maiden crew of 380 officers and sailors, known as the plank owners, were also in attendance during the christening.