090901-N-8273J-001 WASHINGTON (Sept. 1, 2009) In this file photo taken Oct. 18, 2008, retired Rear Adm. Wayne E. Meyer smiles as his wife, Anna Mae, christens the Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108). Meyer, regarded as the father of the Aegis Weapons System, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009. "I am deeply saddened by a great loss to our Navy family," said Adm. Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations. "Rear Adm. Meyer's passion, technical acumen, and warfighting expertise served as the foundation of our Navy combatant fleet today. On behalf of the men and women of the United States Navy, I extend my deepest and most heartfelt sympathy to the Meyer family. He was a close friend and mentor to so many of us. His legacy will remain in the Navy forever." (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tiffini M. Jones/Released)