The US Navy has officially taken delivery of its latest warship, the Flight IIA guided missile destroyer USS John Basilone (DDG-122). The Arleigh Burke-class vessel, named for Medal of Honor recipient John Basilone, is slated to “serve as a multi-mission surface combatant,” with the plan being to deploy her in “Anti-Air Warfare, Anti-Submarine Warfare and Anti-Surface Warfare.”
The USS John Basilone was christened by the US Navy in June 2022, with the vessel undergoing sea trials in the Atlantic Ocean in March ’24. As with other ships within the Arleigh Burke-class, she is capable of equipping a wide array of missiles, including the BGM-190 Tomahawk, as well as various lightweight torpedoes.
While an exact date has yet to be announced, the destroyer’s commissioning will expected to occur later this year.
The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer is the second ship to be named for Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone, who received the Medal of Honor for his heroics during the Guadalcanal Campaign. The only US Marine to have received the decoration and the Navy Cross during the Second World War, he lost his life on the first day of the Battle of Iwo Jima.
The first vessel named for Basilone, the Gearing-class destroyer USS John Basilone (DD-824), was commissioned in July 1949, and served with the US Navy until November 1977. She notably served in Vietnam, earning three battle stars.
Following her decommissioning, John Basilone was used as a target for missile-firing exercises, resulting in her sinking off the coast of Florida in April 1982.
In a media release put out by the US Navy’s Team Ships Strategic Operations, Capt. Seth Miller, DDG-21 Class program manager, Program Executive Office (PEO), Ships, is quoted as saying, “The future USS John Basilone will bring significant capability to the fleet and strengthen our advantage at sea. DDG 112 and all of its Sailors will be a living reminder of the perseverance and sacrifice exhibited by its remarkable namesake.”
General Dynamics Bath Iron Works President Chuck Krugh added in a separate statement posted to X, “Delivery brings DDG 122 one step closer to joining the Navy fleet, where it can fulfill its role protecting our country and our families. Our shipbuilders have put their heart and soul into completing this ship and have set a new standard of quality. Bath Built is truly Best Built.”
Several other Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are currently under construction at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works: the USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG-124), Patrick Gallagher (DDG-127), John E. Kilmer (DDG-134), Louis H. Wilson Jr. (DDG-126), William Charette (DDG-130) and Quentin Walsh (DDG-132).
