WASHINGTON (May 27, 2011) A photo illustration of the Ford-class aircraft carrier depicting the future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79). (U.S. Navy photo illustration by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jay M. Chu/Released)
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced today the next Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier will be named the USS John F. Kennedy.
The selection John F. Kennedy, designated CVN 79, honors the 35th President of the United States and pays tribute to his service in the Navy, in the government, and to the nation.
"President John F. Kennedy exemplified the meaning of service, not just to country, but service to all humanity," said Mabus. "I am honored to have the opportunity to name the next aircraft carrier after this great Sailor and inspirational leader, and to keep the rich tradition and history of USS John F. Kennedy sailing in the U.S. Fleet."
Born in Brookline, Mass., May 29, 1917, Kennedy graduated from Harvard in 1940, and entered the Navy in October 1941.
During World War II, Kennedy took command of PT 109 at Tulagi Island in the Solomons, with a mission to intercept Japanese ships attempting to resupply their barges in New Georgia. In the early morning hours of Aug. 2, 1943, Kennedy's ship was inadvertently struck by an enemy ship and split in half. During the course of the next six days, Kennedy led his crew members to safety and an eventual rescue. Kennedy received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for the rescue of his crew and a Purple Heart for injuries he sustained when his ship was struck.
FILE PHOTO (Jan. 21, 1961) Portrait photo of President John F. Kennedy at his desk in the Oval Office, White House, Washington, D.C. This is the first White House photograph made of the President at his desk. (Photo by Abbie Rowe, National Park Service courtesy the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston/Released)
BOSTON (May 29, 2011) Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) the Honorable Ray Mabus announces the name of the next nuclear powered aircraft carrier as USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin S. O'Brien/Released)
Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) the Honorable Ray Mabus announces the name of the next nuclear powered aircraft carrier as USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
Caroline Kennedy, daughter of the 35th President John F. Kennedy, addresses friends and family after the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) the Honorable Ray Mabus announced the name of the next nuclear powered aircraft carrier as USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin S. O'Brien/Released)
BOSTON (May 29, 2011) Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) the Honorable Ray Mabus sits next to Caroline Kennedy, daughter of the 35th President John F. Kennedy, and her family before announcing the name of the next nuclear powered aircraft carrier as USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin S. O'Brien/Released)
FILE PHOTO (Nov. 20, 1962) President Kennedy points to a reporter at a news conference (Photo by Abbie Rowe, National Park Service courtesy the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston/Released)
FILE PHOTO. Lt. Kennedy in naval uniform receiving the Navy and Marine Corps medal from Captain Conklin. The Medal was presented to John F. Kennedy at the Chelsea Naval Hospital in Massachusetts for his heroics in the rescue of the crew of PT 109 during WWII on August 2, 1943, when the motor torpedo boat was struck by a Japanese destroyer. (Photo courtesy the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston/Released)
FILE PHOTO (circa 1943) Lt. jg John F. Kennedy (standing, far right) and crewmen of the PT-109. Solomon Islands, 1943. (Photo courtesy the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston/Released)
FILE PHOTO (circa 1943) Lt.j.g. John F. Kennedy aboard the PT-109. (Photo courtesy the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston/Released)
FILE PHOTO (circa 1943) Lt. jg John F. Kennedy aboard the PT-109 in the South Pacific, 1943. (Photo courtesy the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston/Released)
FILE PHOTO (circa 1943) Lt. John F. Kennedy in the South Pacific. (Photo courtesy the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston/Released)