Free Republic

Saturday, November 13th, 2010Under blue skies and the Florida sun, the Navy's newest Arleigh Burke Class Aegis Guided Missile Destroyer the USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) was commissioned today in Port Everglades, entering full status as a ship of the United States Navy. Deb Dunham, ship sponsor and mother of Marine Corps Corporal Jason Dunham, stood on deck as she gave the command to “Man the Ship and Bring Her to Life!” Dan Dunham, father of Corporal Dunham, set the first watch and passed the long glass to LTJG Andrew Gray. The watch, which will now continue for the...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2010 – Final preparations are under way in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for the commissioning tomorrow of the Navy’s newest guided-missile destroyer, to be named honoring Marine Corps Cpl. Jason L. Dunham, who received the Medal of Honor posthumously for heroism in Iraq. Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos is slated to deliver the keynote address during the ceremony at Port Everglades, and Debra Dunham will serve as sponsor of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer named for her late son. Navy Cmdr. M. Scott Sciretta, USS Jason Dunham’s first commanding officer, and his 276-member crew also...