Admiral Arleigh Burke National Destroyer Memorial and Museum

11/13/2024

USS Edsall DD-219 has been found and we remember those lost

The discovery, announced Monday, has revealed the resting place of more than 200 servicemen who died three months after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

10/04/2024

National Destroyer Memorial Series:

4 October 1919

USS Reuben James (DD-245) was launched by the New York Shipbuilding Corporation of Camden, New Jersey. Miss Helen Strauss was the ship sponsor.

She was the first named for Boatswain's Mate Reuben James (c. 1776–1838), who distinguished himself fighting in the First Barbary War.

10/03/2024

We recently were able to see the original Navy Cross awarded to Ensign Elliott's family on his behalf. The sacrifice and devotion to duty of our destroyer sailors is always worth presenting.

The story of one of our heroes: Ensign Ross Elliott of USS Emmons DD-457

CITATION:

"The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Ensign Ross Tompkins Elliott, Jr. (NSN: 0-341480), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as Assistant Gunnery and Machine-Gun Officer on board the Destroyer U.S.S. EMMONS (DD-457), during operations against enemy Japanese forces off Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain, on 6 April 1945. Stationed on the flying bridge, Ensign Elliott ably directed the steady fire of his weapons against an overwhelming number of Japanese kamikaze planes attempting to crash dive the deck of his ship, maintaining close control of his batteries and shooting down two of the six enemy aircraft destroyed by the EMMONS' guns during a furiously waged battle which persisted for more than two and one half hours. Suddenly aware that one of the attacking planes could not be deflected and would strike the EMMONS in the vicinity of the bridge, he ordered all personnel on the flying bridge to lie close together on the deck against the barbette, then hurled himself across the prone men as the plane crashed the ship from the port side. Fatally wounded by the enemy's strafing bullets as a result of this heroic act, Ensign Elliott had succeeded in protecting his men from serious injury and probable death, all personnel surviving without injuries despite violent explosions and fires which followed the crash. Vigilant and determined in the performance of duty, Ensign Elliott fought boldly and brilliantly in defense of his gallant ship and his indomitable fortitude and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice on behalf of his crewmen sustained and enhanced the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country."

07/10/2024

Bath Iron Works. delivered the future USS John Basilone (DDG 122) to the Navy. President Chuck Krugh stated: “Delivery brings DDG 122 one step closer to joining the Navy fleet, where it can fulfill its role protecting our country and our families.

07/08/2024

National Destroyer Memorial Series:

8 July 1944: The cruisers and destroyers of Task Group 53.18, commanded by Rear Adm. Charles Turner Joy, begin daily bombardment of Japanese defenses on Guam. Ships include USS WICHITA , MINNEAPOLIS, SAN FRANCISCO, and NEW ORLEANS, escorted by destroyers FULLAM, GUEST, BENNETT, HALFORD, HUDSON, WADSWORTH, ANTHONY and TERRY.

The destroyer took on nighttime harassing fire at night into the morning of 9 July.

We remember....

Image: USN Photo of USS Anthony

06/28/2024

National Destroyer Memorial Series:

28 June 2005: Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy and two others of his four man USN Seal team were lost.

Murphy was the Commander of a four-man reconnaissance team on a mission to kill or capture a top Taliban leader, Ahmad Shah (code name Ben Sharmak), who commanded a group of insurgents known as the "Mountain Tigers,"] west of Asadabad. The team was dropped off by helicopter in a remote, mountainous area east of Asadabad in Kunar Province, near the Pakistan border. After an initially successful infiltration, local goat herders stumbled upon the SEALs' hiding place. Unable to verify any hostile intent from the herders, the team cut them loose. Hostile locals, possibly the goat herders they let pass, alerted nearby Taliban forces, who surrounded and attacked the small group in large numbers. After Murphy called for help, an MH-47 Chinook helicopter loaded with reinforcements was dispatched to rescue the team, but was shot down with an RPG, killing all 16 personnel aboard; eight SEALs and eight service members from the 160th SOAR.

Murphy, Dietz, and Axelson were killed in the action. Luttrell was the only U.S. survivor and was eventually rescued, after several days of wandering in the mountains and being protected by the people of an Afghan village. All three of Murphy's men were awarded the Navy's second-highest honor, the Navy Cross, for their part in the battle making theirs the most decorated Navy SEAL team in history.

Murphy himself was killed after he left his cover position and went to a clearing away from the mountains, exposing himself to a hail of gunfire in order to get a clear signal to contact headquarters for relaying the dire situation and requesting immediate support for his team. He dropped the satellite phone after being shot multiple times but picked the phone back up and finished the call. While being shot, he signed off saying- "Thank You", then continued fighting from his exposed position until he died from his wounds.
USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112) was named in his honor.

03/31/2024

Wishing everyone a Happy and Safe Easter!
USS Trippe DD-403 flies the Church pennant in 1940.

03/29/2024

On this National Vietnam Veterans Day, we remember the Destroyer crews in this video we produced.

Tribute to US Navy Destroyers and sailors who operated off Vietnam from 1964-1975. Video themed with music from the Rolling Stones. Images, video, and mus...

03/25/2024

National Destroyer Memorial Series
25 March 1943

USS Johnston DD-557 slides down the ways at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation, Seattle, Washington

JOHNSTON and her crew would live on through the annals of US Navy history for their heroic showing at the Battle off Samar with Taffy 3 against an overwhelming Japanese force.

Of her complement of 327 men, 186 men and officers would be lost on 25 October, 1944.

We remember...........

03/22/2024

National Destroyer Memorial Series

22 March 1986

USS Reuben James (FFG-57), an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate, was commissioned with Cmdr. John J. Kieley III in command.

03/20/2024

20 March

During the Korean War in 1952, USS Wiltsie (DD-716) and USS Brinkley Bass (DD-887) engage shore batteries at Wonsan, Korea. Bass scores seven direct hits on one of the batteries located near the city of Wonsan.

USS Porter (DDG-78) is commissioned at Port Canaveral, Fla on this date in 1999. The guided-missile destroyer is the 28th of the Arleigh Burke-class and the fifth U.S. Navy ship to be named after Commodore David Porter and his son, Adm. David Dixon Porter.