Navy Commissions USS George H.W. Bush with Namesake on Hand
(January 13, 2009) |
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Crew members line up in
preparation for the commissioning ceremony for
the USS George H. W. Bush aircraft carrier. DoD photo by Cherie Cullen |
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 2009 With
traditional pomp and circumstance and its namesake on hand, the last
Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, USS George H.W. Bush, was commissioned in
Norfolk, Va., today.
“So what do you give a guy who has been blessed and has just about everything he
has ever needed?” President George W. Bush, son of former President George H.W.
Bush, joked during the ceremony. “Well, an aircraft carrier.”
The story of the USS George H.W. Bush,
also known as CVN 77, begins well before its
keel-laying in September 2003. It began in the
early days of World War II, when the former
President Bush was just 18 when he enlisted in the |
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Navy as a seaman second class, his son
said. |
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Just days before his 19th birthday, George H.W. Bush became
the youngest Navy pilot when he received his wings and
commission. The young pilot flew torpedo bombers off USS San
Jacinto from August 1942 to September 1945. On Sept. 2,
1944, his plane was hit by Japanese anti-aircraft fire. He
went down in the ocean and was rescued by the Navy submarine
USS Finback. |
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and three Air
Medals for courageous service in the Pacific theater.
Thirty-five years later, he was sworn in as the 41st
president of the United States and served two terms.
“The ship is a fitting tribute to a generation of men with
whom my dad was privileged to serve,” the president said.
“She's also a tribute to a new generation of American
soldiers and sailors and Coast Guardsmen and women, airmen
and Marines who have stepped forward to defend the United
States of America.”
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates also declared USSGeorge H.W. Bush a fitting tribute to the man who served his
country for more than 40 years in several capacities. |
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Former President and honoree George H. W. Bush speaks to the
audience during the commissioning. DoD photo by Cherie Cullen |
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“There is no one more worthy of having the last Nimitz-class
aircraft carrier named in his honor than our 41st president,
the last of the World War II generation to serve as
commander-in-chief,” Gates said. “As commander-in-chief,
President [George H.W.] Bush had a courage and toughness
that impressed all those who worked for him.
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Former President George H. W.
Bush sets the first watch with Navy Lt. Cmdr.
George Brickhouse. DoD photo by Cherie Cullen |
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“At the same time, he was, and is, a man of feeling,
especially where men and women in uniform are concerned,”
the secretary added.
Gates remembered the 41st president's tribute to the 47
sailors who died when a 16-inch gun turret exploded aboard
USS Iowa on April 19, 1989. The press accused Bush of just
“going through the motions,” because he appeared to speed
through his remarks.
In fact, Bush was so moved by the sailors' sacrifice that he
would not have made it through his remarks had he not sped through them, the
secretary said.“He once said that a peaceful, prosperous international
order required ‘the leadership, the power, and yes, the
conscience of |
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the United States of
America,'” Gates said. “This ship that bears his
name, this ship that we commission today,
embodies all three.” |
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For the ship's namesake, the commissioning brought back
memories made more than six decades ago when, as a young
sailor, he participated in the commissioning of USS San
Jacinto. |
“Those who are sitting out there where I was 65 years ago,
preparing to serve aboard your new ship, I wish I was
sitting right out there with you, ready to start the
adventures of my naval aviation career all over,” the former
president said. “As you prepare to man this ship, I do know
that you take with you the hopes and dreams of every
American who cherishes freedom and peace.
“And you take with you the undying respect and admiration of
the entire Bush family,” he added before helping set the
ship's first watch.“I know you will find comfort and inspiration, particularly
in the night sky,” the senior Bush continued. “For it is in
the splendor of the stars that you |
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Former President George H. W. Bush and Mrs. Barbara Bush prepare to leave the USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) aircraft carrier..
White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian |
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will truly understand the
majesty of creation and bear witness to the
certain hand of God.” |
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The nuclear-powered USS George H.W. Bush is nearly twice as
long as the first ship on which its namesake served. It's
nearly as tall as the Empire State Building in New York
City, and will be home to about 6,000 sailors and Marines.
And as the elder Bush pointed out, it has “feature that a
few of my granddaughters, in particular, would really like ...
there are a mind-boggling 1,400 telephones.”
The first F-18 jet is displayed aboard the
USS George H. W. Bush as the ship is brought to life. DoD photo by Cherie Cullen
USS George H.W. Bush is set to make history and today marked
the first day of that illustrious journey, said Navy
Secretary Donald C. Winter. “The impact of a new carrier is
global," he said. “For no other ship represents to the world
the power of the United States the way this does.”
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By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Copyright 2009
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