USS MICHAEL MURPHY (DDG-112) Commissioning

[BusyBee604]

The guided missile Destroyer USS MICHAEL MURPHY (DDG-112), was commissioned at 1000 EDT today alongside Pier 88 in New York City. The Navy's newest warship honors fallen SEAL LT Michael Murphy, the first MOH recipient of the Afghanistan war, and the Navy's first recipient since the Vietnam war. The MOH was awarded for LT Murphy's actions on 28 June 2005, when his team was overrun by Taliban, resulting in the highest SEAL casualties in one day (at that time) since Vietnam.

The MURPHY's commissioning ceremony featured LT Murphy's mother, Mrs. Maureen Murphy, Ship's Sponsor. She handed the keys for this beautiful new "Greyhound of the Sea" to her first Commanding Officer, CDR Thomas E. Shultz, of El Cajon, CA. Leis and Alohas were in abundance at the commissioning ceremony, as the warship will be homeported in Hawaii.

Aloha, fair winds and following seas to USS MURPHY and her "Plankowner" Crew! May her namesake rest in peace, and never be forgotten.
BzB, head bowed

 

[707guy]

Watched part of it that the Navy streamed live. Looks like something that would be great to see in person.

 

[BusyBee604]

Watched part of it that the Navy streamed live. Looks like something that would be great to see in person.

Yes, I remember when they commissioned USS RONALD REAGAN, Nancy calling for the crew to man their ship and 'bring her to life'! I really realized then, that without it's crew... a warship is just a large mass of metal & machinery, a mechanical corpse with no heart or brain.

The USS MIDWAY Museum in San Diego, is perhaps, an exception in a way. Although out of commission & pierbound, it lives on with it's "crew" of Museum Administrators, Docents (many of them former Midway Sailors), and tens of thousands of visitors annually.
BzB

 

[HueyCobra8151]

Outstanding choice for a name. Much better than some of the others I have seen recently.

 

[nittany03]

The Navy's newest warship honors fallen SEAL LT Michael Murphy, the first MOH recipient of the Afghanistan war, and the Navy's first recipient since the Vietnam war.

And the first Penn State alumnus to earn it, as well.

http://www.centredaily.com/2012/09/15/3336707/psu-memorial-honors-hero-vet.html

"Tell the Spartans, passerby, that here, obedient to their laws, we lie."

 

[707guy]

I really realized then, that without it's crew... a warship is just a large mass of metal & machinery, a mechanical corpse with no heart or brain.BzB

Agreed - it was a very moving to hear the call to "set the first watch." Made me think that from now until decom - the ship will be manned and always "alive."

 

[Renegade One]

And the first Penn State alumnus to earn it, as well.

http://www.centredaily.com/2012/09/15/3336707/psu-memorial-honors-hero-vet.html

"Tell the Spartans, passerby, that here, obedient to their laws, we lie."

Nice memorial...