USS Michael Murphy Joins Fleet

The USS Michael Murphy(DDG 112),the US Navy's newest warship,was commissioned Saturday in New York City.The Arleigh Burke class destroyer is named in honor of a Navy SEAL and posthumous Medal of Honor recipient who was killed in action during Operation Redwing in Afghanistan on 28 June,2005.
Among dignitaries attending the traditional ceremony were New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg;Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Johnathan Greenert;and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus.Secretary Mabus said the ship honors the courage,service and sacrifice of Lieutenant Michael Murphy.It is designed to counter threats from above and below the surface of the oceans,in the air and on land.
Lieutenant Murphy's mother,ship's sponsor Maureen Murphy,gave the order to man the ship and bring her to life,at which the crew of 279 ran up the gangways and lined up along the rails.The ship's first commanding officer is Commander Thomas E. Shultz of El Cajon,California.
Armed with missiles,a 5-inch gun and torpedoes,the warship is homeported at Pearl Harbor,Hawaii.Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy was a New York native.

Destroyer Keel Authenticated

On 18 June,the keel of the USS Michael Murphy(DDG 112)was authenticated at Bath Iron Works in Bath,Maine.This ceremony marks the beginning of construction on a ship.The Arleigh Burke class destroyer is named in honor of Navy SEAL Lieutenant Michael Murphy,who was killed in Afghanistan in 2005.His family participated in the ceremony,confirming that the keel was laid straight and true.Lt.Murphy's mother,Maureen Murphy,is the ship's sponsor.She said she really worried about her son being a SEAL at first,but she got used to it because he said he's not cut out for the desk job yet.A banner with Lt.Murphy's likeness and the phrase "Do It For Murph" was posted at the event.
Bath Iron Works is a General Dynamics facility.Northrop Grumman also builds some of the guided missle destroyers.They are armed with 5-inch guns and several other weapon systems,along with missiles.
General Dynamics(GD),Northrop Grumman(NOC)