ReferenceNumber: No. 438-95
(703)697-5131(media)
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August 10, 1995
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DESTROYER TO BE CHRISTENED IN NAME OF SULLIVAN BROTHERS
The Navy will once again honor the memory of the five Sullivan brothers at 2p.m. this Saturday, August 12, 1995, at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, when asecond U.S. Navy destroyer named in their honor will be christened.
George,Francis, Joseph, Madison, and Albert Sullivan, all sailors from Waterloo, Iowa,gave their lives in World War II, when on November 12, 1942, the cruiserJuneau (CL 52) was sunk during the battle of Guadalcanal. Tragically, most ofthe crew was lost, including all five Sullivan brothers.
Kelly Sullivan Loughren, the ship's sponsor and grand-daughter of AlbertSullivan, will break a bottle of champagne over the bow and formally name theArleigh Burke Class destroyer, The Sullivans (DDG 68).
The first The Sullivans(DD 537) was in service from 1943-1965, earning nine battle stars in World WarII, and two in the Korean conflict.
Representative John E. Baldacci of Maine will be the ceremony's principalspeaker.
General Counsel of the Navy Steven S.
Honigman will also speak.
The Sullivans is the 18th of 32 Arleigh Burke Class guided missile destroyersauthorized by Congress to be built. These multi-mission ships are equipped withthe Navy's modern Aegis combat weapons system, which combines space-agecommunications, radar and weapons technologies in a single platform withunlimited flexibility.
These new destroyers will replace older ships beingtaken out of service as the Navy reduces spending while maintaining quality aspart of its overall plan to modernize the fleet.
They are designed to operateunder the Navy's "Forward ...From the Sea" doctrine, independently or insupport of aircraft carrier and amphibious operations.
The ship is equipped to carry Standard surface-to-air missiles and Tomahawkcruise missiles launched from forward and aft vertical launching systems, twofully automated Phalanx close-in weapon systems, Harpoon anti-ship missiles,one five-inch gun and electronic warfare systems.
The Sullivans is 505 feet inlength, has a beam of 66 feet and displaces approximately 8,500 tons fullyloaded.
The ship will have a crew of 26 officers and 315 sailors.
Media wishing to attend the ceremony should contact Susan Piertier, Bath IronWorks Corporation Public Affairs, at (207) 442-2914.
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