HII Christens John Finn (DGG 113) Missile Destroyer; Mike Petters Comments

Huntington Ingalls Industries President and CEO Mike Petters joined nearly 1,000 guests during the christening of the John Finn (DGG 113) guided missile destroyer at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, May 2.

The 29th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer was named after the World War II Medal of Honor recipient who died in 2010 at the age of 100, HII said Saturday.

“Finn outlived 14 fellow sailors who earned the Medal of Honor for their service in World War II… I think he would be as humbled by this honor as he was with the title of hero bestowed upon him,” Petters told his audience.

“Just remember his words: ‘There’s all kinds of heroes.’ And if you ask me, this ship was built for heroes by heroes, all in the name of freedom.”

Master Chief Petty Officer Michael Stevens of the U.S. Navy delivered the keynote address at the ceremony, with ship sponsor Laura Stavridis, wife of retired Navy Adm. James Stavridis, and Rep. Steven Palazzo, R-Miss, also in attendance.

Work at Ingalls Shipbuilding continues for the John Finn and other destroyers Delbert D. Black (DDG 119), Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) and Ralph Johnson (DDG 114).