U.S. Navy’s newest Ingalls-built assault ship "will sail in wake of America’s heroes..."

March 25, 2000 -- The son of one of the flag raisers in the historic photograph that symbolizes the World War II battle for Iwo Jima said today that the U.S. Navy’s newest large-deck amphibious assault ship “will sail in the wake of great men, who fought and won ‘America’s Battle’, those heroes of Iwo Jima.”

James J. Bradley of Rye, New York, was principal speaker for the christening at Litton Ingalls Shipbuilding of the multipurpose amphibious assault ship, IWO JIMA (LHD 7).

More than 2,500 guests, including Marines who were part of the force that battled the Japanese on Iwo Jima for more than a month during the latter stages of World War II, attended the christening and gave a rousing round of applause when the veterans were introduced.

“It’s time to put the battle of Iwo Jima into perspective,” said Bradley, whose father, Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class John H. Bradley, USN was the heroic sailor who with five Marines raised the American flag atop Mount Suribachi February 23, 1945. “This is not just a big battle of World War II. It’s unique. It is above and beyond. This is ‘America’s Battle’,” James Bradley said. “What else can you call a battle that had more casualties on the first day than Guadalcanal had in two and a half months? After 24 hours, the beaches at Normandy were completely safe, but boys died on the beaches of Iwo Jima for two weeks,” he said.

More Marines died at Iwo Jima than in any other battle in Marine Corps history, In all, 6,800 Americans and 22,000 Japanese died in the 36-day battle over a volcanic rock, a critical stepping stone for U.S. bombers attacking the Japanese mainland.

“My father’s company was named Easy Company,” said Bradley. “They had 84 percent casualties.” Corpsman Bradley, who died in 1994, received the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism. He pulled a wounded Marine through heavy fire to safety, and when wounded in both legs by mortar fire refused evacuation until he finished helping two other wounded Marines.

As ship’s sponsor, Zandra M. Krulak, wife of retired Marine Corps Commandant General Charles Krulak, smashed the traditional bottle of champagne across the new ship’s bow. “In honor of those Americans who fought and dedicated their lives to the United States of America at the Battle of Iwo Jima, and in the name of the United States of America, I christen thee IWO JIMA,” said Mrs. Krulak.

“This great ship’s life, her spirit are already here,” she said. “They spring forth from the thousands and thousands of Marines and sailors who heard their country’s call, answered it, fought and died on a desolate volcanic island far from home and far from loved ones on an island called Iwo Jima,” she said. “As we christen her today, it’s a testament truly that we have not forgotten the lessons of history or the spirit of those who fought that valiant fight.”

Mississippi’s Fifth District Congressman, Gene Taylor, commended “the men and women who helped build this magnificent warship and the young Marines and young sailors who will sail it.”

“This is a great day for the United States Navy, and I want to tell you is that there will be an LHD 8,” said Congressman Taylor. “There are eight reasons why there will be an LHD 8. The first seven reasons are LHDs 1 through 7, and the magnificent job the men and women of Ingalls Shipbuilding did in building them and establishing a great reputation.”

Taylor then paid tribute to General Krulak, and called him the eighth reason for LHD 8, recognizing his support, as Marine Corps Commandant, for the eighth ship in the WASP Class.

Vice Admiral Henry C. Giffin III, USN, Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, called IWO JIMA the Navy’s “best of the best” and said the Navy’s amphibious community has never been so vibrant and so vital to national defense as at this very moment. “The recent events have shown that whenever our nation needs to deter aggression or promote peace our amphibious ships and embarked Marines get the call. Be it deterring aggression in Kosovo, helping earthquake victims in Turkey, or providing overseas presence with our Allies by participating in multinational exercises throughout the year, our amphibious forces are influencing world events,” said Admiral Giffin.

“This day is joyous but full of solemnity as we remember the greatest generation of soldiers,” said Vice Admiral George P. Nanos Jr., USN, Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command. “We remember their total love of country, total devotion of duty, and total sacrifice. The famous photograph of the soldiers raising the flag on Mount Suribachi represents triumph of 75,000 Marines on Iwo Jima. It also represents 6,800 who were killed there and over 20,000 others who were wounded. Today, we honor the Marines and sailors who gallantly fought on that island in the South Pacific, with a ship that when commissioned will be 40,000 tons of sovereign U.S. territory.”

“Fifty-five years ago today, Marines and sailors were fighting and dying on a little black volcanic rock that nobody every heard of,” said Lieutenant General Michael J. Williams, USMC, Deputy Chief of Staff, Programs & Resources. “Today, Iwo Jima is synonymous with valor, determination and sacrifice. This ship is constructed with American skill and knowhow and she will be crewed by the finest sailors in  the world. These crewmembers will be, as they always have, America’s first line of defense. The Navy and Marine Corps team stands a little stronger today because IWO JIMA comes to life.”

“The construction of this ship has required a great deal of skill, labor and tenacity. Here in this shipyard and in other areas all over the country, many people contributed their vision, thought and craftsmanship to the final product,” said Paul A. Schneider, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Research, Development and Acquisition. “Building this ship is a formidable task and requires the combined efforts of countless men and women. All have worked with professionalism, dedication and a real spirit of cooperation. Because of this, LHD 7 will enjoy a long and distinguished career of outstanding service to our country.”

“Very few locations in the military history of our nation provoke immediate recognition with only a mention of their name....Valley Forge...Gettysburg....Iwo Jima,” said Rear Admiral Dennis G. Morral, USN, Program Executive Officer, Expeditionary Warfare. “Iwo Jima has become an embodiment of courage, heroism and self-sacrifice. As was the case in 1945, this country remains worth fighting for, and if necessary, young men must sacrifice their lives. To a man, no Marine on Iwo Jima Island ever took a step back.”

“Today, there exists a full unrestricted utilization of the resources of both Ingalls, Avondale and the Full Service Center as we meet the challenges and commitments associated with our shipbuilding programs,” said Jerry St. Pé, Chief Operating Officer, Litton Ship Systems and Executive Vice President Litton Industries. “Together we are going to do all that is necessary to meet our commitments to our Navy and commercial customers. I congratulate the employees of Ingalls Shipbuilding for the great job in building this fine ship. I commit to everyone here that the U.S. Navy will continue to receive the commitment of all of our resources to build ships and build them well.”

“Over nine and one half million hours of effort have been put forth in bringing LHD 7 to this stage of construction, and over two million more hours will be invested before she enters the fleet,” said Captain Harry J. Rucker Jr., USN, Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion & Repair, Pascagoula. “I can assure you that when she does join the Fleet, she’ll represent the finest and most advanced assault ship in the world. Regardless of where IWO JIMA sails in the next half-century, know that her success will be rooted in the men and women who designed and built her.”

“This is a special day for 10,500 of our country’s most patriotic citizens – the shipbuilders of Ingalls,” said Ingalls President Pat Keene. “Not only are they building a magnificent ship, but they totally understand the magnitude of their contribution to the defense of the nation and the legacy of the name Iwo Jima. The men and women of Ingalls are proud of their role in bringing these multipurpose amphibious assault ships to life.”

The 844-foot, 40,500-ton LHD 7, is designed to lay off a troubled area of the world, and insert its 2,000-member Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) ashore by helicopters and hover craft. As the centerpiece of an Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), an LHD is fully capable of amphibious assault, advance force and special purpose operations, as well as noncombatant evacuation and other humanitarian missions.

For operational support, an LHD carries a squadron of AV-8B Harrier II jets, as well as a full range of Navy/Marine Corps helicopters and amphibious vehicles. Additionally, the ships are fully-equipped with command and control (C ⁴ I) systems for flagship command duty; and have medical facilities – including a 600-bed hospital – second only to the Navy's Hospital Ships in capability.

LHD 7 will enter service with the U.S. Atlantic Fleet when commissioned in mid-2001.