Today (Saturday, May 10, 2008) there was a gathering that included four Medal of Honor recipients and seven former prisoners of war. They were at Bath Iron Works to honor a fellow Vietnam POW and Medal of Honor receipient.
Vice Admiral James Stockdale flew 201 carrier-based missions before being shot down in 1965. He was the highest-ranking naval officer captured during the war and spent 7 ½ years in captivity in North Vietnam. Upon his release in 1973, he received 26 combat decorations, including the Medal of Honor.
He was honored today with the christening of the USS Stockdale, the Navy’s newest guided missile destroyer. His widow, Sybil, christened the ship with the traditional bottle of champgagne
Noting that the new destroyer's motto is "Return with Honor," Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said "Admiral James Stockdale did just that, and our nation is forever indebted to him. I know that all who serve on the ship that bears his name will do the same."
In a few months the ship will sea trials and sometime next Fall will be commissioned as the USS Stockdale (DDG-106).
Vice Admiral James Stockdale flew 201 carrier-based missions before being shot down in 1965. He was the highest-ranking naval officer captured during the war and spent 7 ½ years in captivity in North Vietnam. Upon his release in 1973, he received 26 combat decorations, including the Medal of Honor.
He was honored today with the christening of the USS Stockdale, the Navy’s newest guided missile destroyer. His widow, Sybil, christened the ship with the traditional bottle of champgagne
Noting that the new destroyer's motto is "Return with Honor," Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said "Admiral James Stockdale did just that, and our nation is forever indebted to him. I know that all who serve on the ship that bears his name will do the same."
In a few months the ship will sea trials and sometime next Fall will be commissioned as the USS Stockdale (DDG-106).
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