CHRISTENING OF USS HARRISBURG (LPD 30)

Photo courtesy of HII

The future USS HARRISBURG was christened at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi on January 11, 2025, as hundreds of shipbuilders, Navy family, namesake city residents and locals cheered. The first Flight II San Antonio class vessel is the second ship named for this picturesque city and Pennsylvania capitol located on the Susquehanna River.

This amphibious landing ship will support Marines who, together with their Navy shipmates, will provide the tip of the maritime spear deployed anywhere in the world she is needed. She will support Marine expeditionary warfighting, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions. The first USS HARRISBURG was an ocean liner originally named the City of Paris, which was leased by the Navy in 1898 as an auxiliary cruiser and renamed Yale serving subsequently in the Spanish American War. Paris, the first triple stack ocean liner, set the transatlantic record for the Southampton to New York route in 1893. Following some civilian duties she then was re-commissioned by the Navy on 29 May 1918, as USS HARRISBURG and completed four transatlantic cruises ferrying troops to the European theater and after the war made six trips to bring troops back home. She was decommissioned 25 September 1919.

The LPD 30 ceremony began with the presentation of colors, the National Anthem, beautifully performed by MU3 Bernadette Rocks, and an invocation by Navy Chaplain Commander Jeffrey Perry. A standing ovation then greeted a large group of residents from the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport MS. Mr. Brian Blanchette, President of Ingalls Shipbuilding, led off the presentations by discussing the dedication of the shipbuilding team and the role of his shipyard in producing all of the San Antonio class LPDs. Mr. Karl Singleton, representing the Mayor of Harrisburg, reflected on the ship and future crew as a tribute to the values characteristic of his city: strength, honor, resilience and unity of purpose. General Christopher Mahoney, United States Marine Corps Vice Commandant, celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the Marine Corps in 2025, spoke of the role of the amphibious ships to return the Navy and Marine Corps to continuous forward presence around the globe as we face generational security challenges. The USS HARRISBURG, built by the world’s best shipbuilders and sailed by the best sailors, will deliver the fighting force of Marines to the forward edge. “When we need to put our boot on the throats of the enemies of this country, USS HARRISBURG will be there.”

Rear Admiral Thomas Anderson, PEO Ships, was the Keynote Speaker, representing the Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro. He reviewed the role of USS HARRISBURG as part of our amphibious fleet in maintaining US Naval superiority throughout the globe. The first Flight II of its class, LPD 30 provides increased vehicle stowage, a larger flight deck, additional combat systems capability, improved fuel efficiency and enhanced electrical distribution over previous San Antonio class LPDs.

Mrs. Jennifer Diaz, ship Co-Sponsor, a central Pennsylvania native, acknowledged the character of the hard-working, resilient community of greater Harrisburg, PA. Ms. Diaz’s parents both served the United States Navy as Civilian Support Staff and her brother served active duty as a submariner aboard USS GEORGIA. Her husband, a retired Marine Corpsman, serves as Chief of Staff to Secretary Del Toro. Mrs. Diaz is currently Director of Major Gifts for the Salvation Army of Philadelphia and is excited to continue her family’s deep Navy roots as Sponsor of USS HARRISBURG.

Mrs. Alexandra Curry, USS HARRISBURG Co-Sponsor, was the last speaker to address the attendees. She thanked former Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer for naming her Sponsor in 2019, a responsibility she has accepted as an incredible honor. Describing herself as an average citizen, she has relied on her experience as a mother in her relationship to the ship. She vowed to imbue the USS HARRISBURG with a “mother’s love”, worrying about the ship and the crew when they depart and joyously awaiting their return home. Mrs. Curry attended the event with her husband, James Curry, Mayor of the Burrough of Middletown, PA and their two sons Jimmy (11) and Jude (6). The Matron of Honor, Mrs. Monica Peters, Mrs. Curry’s mother, was also a Platform Guest.

Ingalls Shipbuilding has commenced construction of the future USS PITTSBURG LPD 31 and is beginning preconstruction of the future USS PHILADELPHIA LPD 32, making three SAN ANTONIO CLASS Flight II LPDS named for Pennsylvania cities.

Contributed by Ann Zumwalt

Author: Martha Hill

website admin & member