U.S. Navy Christens USS William Charette (DDG 130) in Maine
On August 1, 2026, the U.S. Navy christened the future USS William Charette (DDG 130), a Flight III Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. The ship honors Master Chief Hospital Corpsman William Charette, a Medal of Honor recipient from the Korean War. The ceremony included a bottle-breaking by his daughter, Kathryn Charette Donovan, and was attended by Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao, Maine Governor Janet Mills, and other officials. The destroyer is equipped with advanced AN/SPY-6 radar.
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US Navy christens fifth Flight III destroyer at Maine shipyard
The US Navy has christened the future USS William Charette, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Maine. This vessel is the fifth Flight III destroyer in its class, marking a continued modernization of the US Navy's surface fleet. The ceremony took place at the Maine shipyard, highlighting ongoing naval construction and defense capabilities.
US Navy christens fifth Flight III Arleigh Burke destroyer at Maine shipyard
The US Navy christened the future USS William Charette (DDG 130), an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Maine. The vessel is the fifth in the Flight III series and is named after Master Chief Hospital Corpsman William Richard Charette, a Medal of Honor recipient for actions in the Korean War. The ceremony included Charette family members, naval leaders, and public officials. Ship's Sponsor Kathryn Charette Donovan broke a bottle of sparkling wine on the hull. Navy acting Secretary Hung Cao delivered the principal address, calling the destroyer a cornerstone of America's new Golden Fleet. The keel was laid in 2024. DDG 130 will join the fleet after outfitting and sea trials. Bath Iron Works is also building four other Flight III destroyers: Louis H. Wilson Jr., Quentin Walsh, John E. Kilmer, and Richard G. Lugar.
US Navy christens fifth Flight III destroyer at Maine shipyard
The US Navy christened the future USS William Charette (DDG 130), an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Maine. The vessel is the fifth in the Flight III series, named after Master Chief Hospital Corpsman William Richard Charette, a Medal of Honor recipient from the Korean War. The ceremony was attended by family members, naval leaders, and public officials. Ship's Sponsor Kathryn Charette Donovan broke a bottle of sparkling wine on the hull. Navy acting Secretary Hung Cao stated the destroyer will serve as a shield for carrier strike groups and a cornerstone of America's new Golden Fleet. The keel was laid in 2024. After outfitting and sea trials, DDG 130 will join the fleet. Bath Iron Works is also constructing several other Flight III destroyers, including the Louis H. Wilson Jr. and Quentin Walsh.
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Navy christens new destroyer named for corpsman who earned Medal of Honor
The U.S. Navy christened the USS William Charette, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, at Bath Iron Works in Maine on Saturday. The ship is named after Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class William Charette, who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Korean War. On March 26, 1953, at Outpost Vegas, Charette risked his life to treat wounded Marines under heavy enemy fire, covering a Marine with his own body when a grenade was thrown. Despite being wounded, he continued to provide medical aid using scraps from his uniform as bandages. Charette was one of five Navy corpsmen awarded the Medal of Honor in the Korean War and the only one to survive. He served in the Navy until 1977, retiring as a master chief hospital corpsman, and died in 2012. The ceremony was attended by Maine officials and retired Marine Col. Harvey C. Barnum Jr., another Medal of Honor recipient.
Navy christens new destroyer named for corpsman who earned Medal of Honor
The U.S. Navy christened the USS William Charette, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, at Bath Iron Works in Maine on Saturday. The ship is named after Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class William Charette, who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Korean War in March 1953. While under heavy enemy fire at Outpost Vegas, Charette risked his life to treat wounded Marines, covering one with his own body during a grenade blast and using torn uniform scraps as bandages. He was one of five Navy corpsmen awarded the Medal of Honor in the Korean War and the only one to survive. Charette served in the Navy until 1977, retiring as a master chief hospital corpsman, and died in 2012. The ceremony was attended by Maine officials and retired Marine Col. Harvey C. Barnum Jr., another Medal of Honor recipient. The destroyer is over 500 feet long and armed with missiles, torpedoes, and machine guns.
U.S. Navy Christens Future USS William Charette (DDG 130) at Bath Iron Works
On August 1, 2026, the U.S. Navy christened the future USS William Charette (DDG 130), a Flight III Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. The ship honors Master Chief Hospital Corpsman William Charette, a Medal of Honor recipient who shielded a wounded Marine from a grenade blast during the Korean War on March 27, 1953, and continued treating casualties despite his own injuries. The ceremony featured a traditional bottle-breaking by the ship's sponsor, Kathryn Charette Donovan, the daughter of the namesake. Attendees included Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao, Maine Governor Janet Mills, Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, and fellow Medal of Honor recipient Col. Harvey C. Barnum Jr. The destroyer is the fifth Flight III variant, equipped with the AN/SPY-6 air and missile defense radar, and carries the motto 'Valor in Service.'
U.S. Navy Christens Future USS William Charette (DDG 130) at Bath Iron Works
On August 1, 2026, the U.S. Navy christened the future USS William Charette (DDG 130), a Flight III Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. The ship honors Master Chief Hospital Corpsman William Charette, a Medal of Honor recipient who shielded a wounded Marine from a grenade blast during the Korean War and continued treating casualties under fire. The ceremony featured a traditional bottle-breaking by the ship's sponsor, Kathryn Charette Donovan, the daughter of the namesake. Attendees included Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao, Maine Governor Janet Mills, Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, and fellow Medal of Honor recipient Col. Harvey C. Barnum Jr. The ship's motto is 'Valor in Service.' DDG 130 is the fifth Flight III destroyer, equipped with the advanced AN/SPY-6 air and missile defense radar.