USS ''Frank E. Petersen Jr.'' (DDG-121) is an Flight IIA
guided missile destroyer
A guided-missile destroyer (DDG) is a destroyer whose primary armament is guided missiles so they can provide anti-aircraft warfare screening for the fleet. The NATO standard designation for these vessels is DDG, while destroyers who have a pri ...
in the
United States Navy
The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...
, the 71st overall for the class. The ship was named for
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations through ...
Lieutenant General
Frank E. Petersen Jr. the first
African-American
African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American ...
Marine Corps
aviator
An aircraft pilot or aviator is a person who controls the flight of an aircraft by operating its directional flight controls. Some other aircrew members, such as navigators or flight engineers, are also considered aviators, because they a ...
and the first African-American Marine Corps
general
A general officer is an officer of high rank in the armies, and in some nations' air forces, space forces, and marines or naval infantry.
In some usages the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colonel."general, adj. and n.". O ...
. The contract for the ship, along with the name, was first announced in a press release from
Huntington Ingalls Industries
HII (formerly Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.) is the largest military shipbuilding company in the United States as well as a provider of professional services to partners in government and industry. HII, ranked No. 371 on the Fortune 500, wa ...
on 30 March 2016.
Construction and Career
The first "cutting of steel" took place in April 2016 and her
keel was laid on 21 February 2017. She was launched on 13 July 2018. and
christened on 6 October 2018.
[ The ship was commissioned on 14 May 2022 at Charleston, South Carolina.]
References
*
External links
Official websiteUSMC History Division, Frank E. Petersen Jr.Marines.mil, Lt. Gen. Frank Petersen remembered, honoredMilitary Times, Frank E. Petersen – Awards and Citations
Arleigh Burke-class destroyers
2018 ships
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