Many ships were named after the serviceman had died in combat, as in the USS Stein (DE/FF 1065). The Stein was named after Marine Corporal Tony Stein, who received the Congressional Metal of Honor for combat action during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II.
Other ships, like the USS John S. McCain (DL 3), were named once the namesake had died. Admiral John S. McCain, Sr. passed on four days after the Allies accepted the formal surrender of the Japanese in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945.
ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 14, 2010) -- Former President George H.W. Bush speaks with Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Lessa M. Zilempe, assigned to the supply department aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), while Adm. J.C. Harvey, commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, listens. Bush and his wife, Barbara, spent their time aboard watching flight operations, touring the ship and visiting with the crew. George H.W. Bush is conducting training in the Atlantic Ocean.U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brent Thacker.
Steven,
ReplyDeleteWe are reading a great book about one of the Dolittle Raiders who was a Japanese POW and just this morning we were at the point of the Japanese surrendering. You gave us the formal surrender date in this post!
Read about Jacob DeShazer sometime - amazing story of God's saving grace and his forgiving his enemy to the point of becoming a missionary to Japan.