She’s not an aircraft carrier, which would be appropriate for the old Naval Aviator, but the Navy’s newest ship is named for the Navy’s highest ranking former resident of the Hanoi Hilton and embodies the spirit and patriotism of Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale, who received the Medal of Honor for his heroism as a prisoner of war. An estimated 100 Vietnam veterans and former Prisoners of War, Medal of Honor recipients and family members are expected to attend the commissioning and other events honoring the late admiral.
The USS Stockdale will be commissioned at Naval Base Ventura County Port Hueneme on April 18 at 11 a.m. The fast destroyer, which is of the same class as the USS Bainbridge, which helped in the recent rescue of Capt. Roberts Phillips, will provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities.
Former POW Charlie Plumb, who was held prisoner for six years in North Vietnam, has been involved in the Stockdale commissioning and says of the event, “We Ex-POW’s from the Vietnam war see the commissioning of the USS Stockdale as more than just putting a new destroyer into naval service. This great ship represents an American icon, Admiral James Bond Stockdale. Many of us owe our very lives to this great leader.”
A live television feed of the commissioning ceremony and the POW “Return with Honor” Reunion will be made available to television stations. Readers of GeneralAviationNews.com can learn when and where the ceremonies will be broadcast by contacting [email protected].)
For more information: www.USSStockdale.org
