BATH, Maine — An Arleigh Burke-class destroyer to be built at Bath Iron Works beginning later this year will be named for Marine Corps gunnery sergeant and Medal of Honor recipient John Basilone.
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced the name of the DDG-122 during a ceremony Tuesday at Camp Pendleton, California, according to a Navy release.
Basilone was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Battle of Guadalcanal and was the only enlisted Marine to receive both the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross during World War II.
The DDG-122 will be the second ship named for Basilone. The first USS Basilone was a Gearing-class destroyer that was decommissioned in 1977, according to the release.
Shipbuilders are scheduled to start cutting steel for the future USS John Basilone by the end of this year, BIW spokesman Matt Wickenheiser said Tuesday. The destroyer is expected to enter Navy service in 2022.