Peter K. Kloeppel, Retired Experimental Physicist
William H. Fitzhugh, killed at the Battle of Port Royal on 7 November 1861 while serving as a first-class boy (contraband) on USS Pawnee. He was the first black to die in combat in the Civil War.
Senior Chief Karyn Sigurdsson, U.S. Navy
Captain Cassin Young, World War II Medal of Honor recipient, for whom a ship was previously named (DD-793) that currently sits in Boston Navy Yard across from the USS Constitution. Captain Young’s heroic story deserves to be remembered and taught to sailors as a reminder of the fighting spirit of the Navy—of those who came before to defend freedom and democracy around the world.
Commander Chuck Hill, U.S. Coast Guard (Retired)
A Coast Guard ship for Commodore Frank H. Newcomb, Revenue Cutter Service. Newcomb was commanding officer of the USRC Hudson when she towed the Navy torpedo boat Winslow to safety from under Spanish guns in the port of Cardenas, Cuba, during the Spanish-American War. A Navy Fletcher-class destroyer (DD-586) was named for Newcomb, commissioned in 1943. But she only remained in service for two years.
Lieutenant Jack Melnick, U.S. Navy Reserve (Retired)
A hero of the Battle of Midway—Lieutenant Commander John C. Waldron, commanding officer of Torpedo Squadron 8. Despite all obstacles, he resolutely chose his way to discover the Japanese fleet on its way to attack Midway. The original USS Waldron (DD-699) was sold to Colombia in 1973. It is time to recognize this hero again.
Captain Fred Furtek, U.S. Navy (Retired)
Captain Wayne Hughes, former professor at the Naval Postgraduate School and author of Fleet Tactics and Naval Operations. His writings are referenced by anyone who says anything cogent about the tactical Navy. He commanded a minesweeper and served in various Navy commands. His books influenced many CNOs and we need to recognize that thoughts are as important to warfare as the names of those in Congress who vote to fund ships.
Commander Mark Metcalf, U.S. Navy (Retired), Life Member
Captain Joseph J. Rochefort, Japanese linguist and officer-in-charge of Station Hypo during the early years of World War II. His analysis led to the Navy’s victory at the Battle of Midway in June 1942.
Lieutenant Commander Sean P. Walsh, U.S. Navy (Retired)
Without a doubt, Admiral William S. Sims should have another destroyer-type ship named in his honor. Three previous ships have borne his name—DD-409, DE-154, and DE/FF-1059 (which was decommissioned in 1991). I do not understand that in 30 years we have not had another one.
Andrew Curtin, U.S. Navy Veteran
Lieutenant Commander John C. Waldron led Torpedo Squadron 8 off the USS Hornet (CV-8) and was first to find the Japanese fleet during the Battle of Midway. His 15-plane attack disrupted the Japanese carriers enough that another squadron sank three carriers immediately thereafter. This turned the tide of the Pacific war.
Michael Romero, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
A new vessel should be named after the Revolutionary War–era frigate Alliance. Easily the finest ship constructed by the Continental Navy, Alliance was commanded by both John Paul Jones and John Barry, and fought the final sea action of the war. Perhaps a Constellation-class frigate?
Rear Admiral Dan McKinnon and Captain Brian Buzzell, U.S. Navy (Retired)
The Navy Secretary should name a surface combatant for the only Medal of Honor recipient of Philippine descent, Telesforo Trinidad. This would recognize thousands of Filipino sailors and a nation that has stood with us from World War II to the War on Terror.
Commander Jim Moses, U.S. Navy (Retired)
It remains a national embarrassment that Captain Joe Rochefort was not recognized for his code-breaking and intelligence analysis contributions during his lifetime. The posthumous award of the Distinguished Service Medal in part rights this wrong, but the naming of an Arleigh Burke–class destroyer would help heal the wound.
Diane S. Segal
Commodore Uriah P. Levy (there was a World War II destroyer escort USS Levy (DE-162)). He served in the War of 1812; helped abolish flogging; commissioned a statue of Thomas Jefferson now in the Rotunda; purchased and restored Jefferson’s mansion, Monticello; overcame six courts-martial driven by anti-Semitism to become a commodore (admiral).
Captain Jan von Tol, U.S. Navy (Retired)
England, again. After the USS England (DE-635) sank six Japanese submarines in less than two weeks, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Ernest King proclaimed, “There’ll always be an England in the United States Navy.” Make it so!
John A. Burgess, Professor, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
In 12 days during May 1944, the USS England (DE-635) sank six Japanese submarines. Chief of Naval Operations Ernest King promised that “There will always be an England in the U.S. Navy.” It’s time to honor his promise.
Lieutenant Commander Michael Bateman, U.S. Navy (Retired)
Two ships have been named in memory of the World War I Battle of Belleau Wood, at which U.S. Marines defeated German forces after weeks of intense fighting. The Germans reportedly called the Marines “TeufHunde” or “Devil Dogs,” which became a nickname for the Marines and ship’s mascot.
Captain T. J. Brovarone, U.S. Navy (Retired)
Just as the newer Virginia-class attack boats are being named after historic World War II submarines, the next Gerald R. Ford–class aircraft carriers should be the Hornet, Lexington, and Yorktown to honor those ships and crews that fought the Battles of Coral Sea and Midway.
CWO5 John M. Harris, U.S. Army Reserve (Retired), Life Member
A warship should be named to honor the incredible heroism displayed by then-Captain John Ripley, USMC, who in April 1972 braved intense enemy fire to destroy the strategic Dong Ha Bridge, thereby stalling a major North Vietnamese invasion of South Vietnam. Ripley hand-walked the beams beneath the bridge to rig 500 lbs of explosives. Crimping detonators with his teeth, he then raced the lit fuses back to the southern side. For his valor, he was awarded the Navy Cross.
Andrew Blackley, Life Member
Admiral William S. Sims, one of the Navy’s most influential leaders, responsible for reforming naval gunnery and destroyer tactics. The original USS Sims (DD-409) was sunk at the Battle of the Coral Sea after valiant action drawing a Japanese strike force away from Rear Admiral Jack Fletcher’s carriers.
Lieutenant Commander Ben Click, U.S. Navy
Apparently, serving as Assistant Secretary of the Navy and President, building the most powerful Navy ever seen (more than 6,700 ships!), and winning World War II only merits a guided-missile destroyer for a namesake. Or rather, half of one—for some reason the USS Roosevelt (DDG-80) splits the honor between Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his wife, Eleanor. Time to again name an aircraft carrier for the 32nd President.
Lieutenant Scott Wallace, U.S. Navy
There should be another USS O’Bannon, to commemorate Lieutenant Presley O’Bannon and the Marine Corps’ contributions to the Navy as we pivot to a Pacific amphibious focus. The Navy hasn’t had one since 2005 when the third, a Spruance-class destroyer, was decommissioned.
Patrick Bruskiewich, Royal Canadian Navy Veteran
Captain Eric Nave—a Royal Australian Navy officer, cryptographer, and intelligence officer who worked closely with the Royal Navy, the Royal Australian Navy, and the U.S. Navy during the 1930s and 1940s to break several Japanese codes. He is one of the first cryptographers to unravel Japanese naval codes, network structure, and traffic methodology, which laid the groundwork for wartime successes in breaking JN-25.
Captain Charles T. Creekman, Jr., U.S. Navy (Retired)
Name a ship (a destroyer?) Holloway for the only father-son pair in U.S. Navy history to both serve on active duty as four-star admirals. Their six decades of overlapping commissioned service from 1918 to 1978 included World Wars I and II, Korea, and Vietnam combat operations, culminating in Holloway III serving as the 20th Chief of Naval Operations.
Bruce Thompson
We should name a ship the Falmouth Packet after the ship captained by Colonel Benjamin Foster, who led the colonists who fought the Battle of Machias. This was the first naval victory of the American Revolution.
Midshipman Wesley Brewer, Maine Maritime Academy
Marc Lee, who was the first SEAL to be killed in Ramadi, Iraq. He received the Silver Star after being mortally wounded supporting his fellow SEALs with machine gun fire. People like Lee deserve our recognition, especially ones who so selflessly serve their fellow man.
Commander Brent Meyer, U.S. Navy (Retired)
Any Navy or Marine Corps veteran who received a Purple Heart, Bronze Star with V, Silver Star, Navy Cross, or Medal of Honor. Should be enough of those names to never name another ship after a politician again. Names of heroes equals preserving our history.
David Page
The Navy will be forever indebted to Fleet Admiral Ernest King for his life of service! King was the Navy in World War II. Yes, he had his detractors, but he was a giant in his craft.
Dr. Victor J. Sussman
One of the Constellation-class frigates should be named for the late Captain Wayne P. Hughes, Jr., author of Fleet Tactics and Naval Operations. The future role of the frigate in distributed maritime operations reflects his approach to naval tactics, his influence on generations of naval professionals, and is worthy of recognition.
Alex Cohen
I know there’s already a destroyer named after him, his father, and grandfather, but the next Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier (if there is one) should definitely be named after Senator John McCain.
Lieutenant Kyle Cregge, U.S. Navy
A future guided-missile destroyer should be named either the USS Johnston or USS Evans, to reflect the heroic actions of the USS Johnston (DD-557) and her Native American commanding officer, Ernest Evans, posthumous Medal of Honor recipient for heroism in the 1944 Battle off Samar. The Dealey-class destroyer escort USS Evans (DE-1023) was the last ship of either name, decommissioned in 1968.
Senior Chief Paul H. Sayles, U.S. Navy (Retired)
An amphibious ship should be named for General John Glover. His regiment provided amphibious support to Continental forces in the Revolutionary War. His regiment’s high point was moving troops across the Delaware River to assault Trenton, New Jersey, in December 1776.
Connor Johnson
Henry Lee Plage, U.S. Naval Reserve, who commanded the USS Tabberer (DE-418) in World War II. He was awarded the Legion of Merit for saving 55 sailors during Typhoon Cobra despite severe damage to his ship. He passed away in 2003.
Major Bob Cypher, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve (Retired)
Once again, White Plains—my hometown and a pivotal battle in the Revolutionary War. The most recent USS White Plains (AGS-4) was a combat stores ship. But the earlier escort carrier (CVE-66) was heroic while under fire from the 18-inch guns of the Yamato off Samar during the Battle of Leyte Gulf and arguably scored a hit.
Bill Berry
Another ship for posthumous Medal of Honor awardee Commander Ernest E. Evans, whose initiative in committing his Fletcher-class destroyer during the World War II Battle off Samar, Leyte Gulf, staved off an annihilation by a vastly superior enemy force. He used all assets available: speed, torpedoes, guns, smoke and—above all—initiative, in sizing up the situation and committing to battle, well before others were aware of the problem.
Bill Nellist
Commander Ernest E. Evans. Please read Commander Evans’ Medal of Honor citation. One ship named for such a man is not enough. Although I believe I write well, I cannot add anything of value beyond what is written in that citation. He deserves a second ship named for him.
Carl Nawrocki
Commander Earnest Evans and the USS Johnston (DD-557), for their exemplary gallantry in the Battle off Samar, should always have ships with their names.
Ethan Harris
Submarines should be named after fish. Destroyers should be named after people in naval history. Cruisers should be named after cities. Aircraft carriers should be named after states and/or famous sea battles. Small craft should be named after lesser municipalities.
Patrick McArthur
Carriers should be named after presidents. Cruisers should be named after cities. Submarines should be named after states. Destroyers should be named after naval heroes. Nothing should be named after politicians who never served in the military like the USS Gabrielle Giffords.
W. Gaylord Lockett, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Life Member
Aircraft carriers (and their cousins LHAs and LPDs) should be named for battles, preferably sea battles, and for previous carriers not named for a person. Nimitz and Eisenhower were ok (barely!), but all the rest, presidents & congressmen—disaster! The worst is USS Gerald R. Ford as lead ship of a new class. The Ford class? Unforgivable! And Doris Miller? I am sure he was a brave & dedicated man, and I would surely support his name on a destroyer. But not on a carrier. USS Enterprise is the only decent name in the batch, and that name should have gone on the hull that became USS Ford. Full disclosure; I helped build Enterprise (CVN-65) and installed the reactor vessels in USS Nimitz. Also, I am disappointed we have no destroyer named USS England, in memory of USS England (DE-635). I am all in favor of remembering ships that did great things!