The ship, Bath Iron Works’ first Flight III destroyer, is named for Gen. Louis H. Wilson Jr, a Medal of Honor recipient and former commandant of the Marine Corps
On Saturday, September 27, General Dynamics Bath Iron Works christened the U.S. Navy’s newest guided missile destroyer, the future USS Louis H. Wilson (DDG 126).
The Saturday morning christening ceremony took place at Bath Iron Works’ shipyard. Speakers included Maine Gov. Janet Mills, Sen. Angus King, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith, retired Col. Harvey C. Barnum, representing the Medal of Honor Society, Jason Potter, performing the duties of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition and Vice Admiral Brad Skillman, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Integration of Capabilities and Resources. The ship’s sponsors are Janet Wilson Taylor, the namesake’s daughter, and retired Capt. Susan Rabern, former Assistant Secretary of the Navy.
Charles F. Krugh, president of General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, welcomed the gathering of 1,500 shipbuilders, family members and invited guests, telling them that Gen. Wilson’s bravery and long service to his country inspire the shipbuilders responsible for building DDG 126 and delivering it to the U.S. Navy.
“The shipbuilders of Bath Iron Works are committed to building Navy destroyers that will perform as needed when called upon by our nation’s Sailors,” Krugh said. “It is our duty to ensure they are best built so the men and women of our Armed Forces can fulfill their duty to protect our country and our families.”
In addition to Louis H. Wilson Jr., Bath Iron Works currently has under construction the Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class destroyers Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124) and Patrick Gallagher (DDG 127) as well as the Flight III destroyers William Charette (DDG 130), Quentin Walsh (DDG 132), John E. Kilmer (DDG 134), Richard G. Lugar (DDG 136) and J. William Middendorf (DDG 138).
