Eighty-four years ago, John Basilone – namesake of Bath-built DDG 122 – displayed the extraordinary heroism in World War II that would lead the President of the United States to award him the Medal of Honor. On Oct. 24, 1942, as Marines fought to hold Guadalcanal against Japanese forces, Sgt. Basilone and his fellow machine gunners fought off a fierce frontal attack by a numerically superior force for two days. Basilone then risked his life to secure additional ammunition so they could continue the fight – ultimately wiping out an entire enemy regiment. We’re honored to have built a ship for such a heroic namesake. USS John Basilone (DDG 122) recently moved its homeport to Rota, Spain, to enable it to be “ready, responsive, and prepared to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex security environment.”

Today we celebrate the birthday of Admiral Arleigh Burke, a naval leader whose legacy continues to shape the U.S. Navy and Bath Iron Works. A WWII Navy Cross recipient and the only person to serve three terms as Chief of Naval Operations, he is the namesake of the Navy’s longest-running shipbuilding program – the DDG 51‑class destroyers. At BIW, we’re honored to build these ships and carry forward his legacy.