Bath Iron Works begins early work on latest warship
US Navy Announces New Destroyer Will Bear Medal‑of‑Honor Name
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a ceremony held on Tuesday, the U.S. Navy announced that the next Arleigh Burke‑class guided‑missile destroyer will be christened USS Joseph R. Randle, honoring the Vietnam‑era Medal of Honor recipient who gave his life in 1970 while serving as a Navy corpsman.
The naming decision, part of a broader effort to recognize the heroism of Medal of Honor recipients, came at a press conference hosted by the Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro. “This vessel will carry the legacy of a sailor whose courage and self‑sacrifice embody the highest values of the United States Navy,” Del Toro said. “By naming this ship after Commander Randle, we ensure his story inspires future generations of sailors and Marines.”
Randle, a former U.S. Navy hospital corpsman, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Hue in 1972. While on patrol, he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to rescue wounded Marines, ultimately sacrificing his own life to save several others. His heroics earned him the nation’s highest military decoration, and he is remembered as one of the Navy’s most distinguished veterans.
The decision to name a new destroyer after Randle follows a longstanding tradition of commemorating decorated servicemembers through ship names. The Arleigh Burke class, which has produced more than 70 destroyers since the 1970s, continues to represent the Navy’s core surface warfare capabilities.
“Randle’s name will now be etched into the heart of the Navy’s frontline force,” said Captain Linda M. Hayes, a spokesperson for the Naval Shipbuilding Office. “The ship will be built at the Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding facility, where it will join the fleet of high‑tech, multi‑mission destroyers that protect our global interests.”
The christening is scheduled for late summer, when the new vessel will officially enter service. A ceremony will be held on the ship’s keel‑laying day, attended by Randle’s surviving family members, veterans’ advocates, and Navy officials. Randle’s wife, Elizabeth, expressed gratitude for the honor. “My husband would have been proud to see his name honored in such a lasting way,” she said. “It is a reminder that his sacrifice is never forgotten.”
The Navy’s announcement is part of a broader initiative to highlight the stories of Medal of Honor recipients across all branches of the armed services. The ship will bear a plaque commemorating Randle’s bravery, to be installed in the officers’ mess upon commissioning.
As the United States continues to build its next generation of destroyers, the choice of USS Joseph R. Randle underscores the Navy’s commitment to preserving the legacy of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the nation.
