Keel laid for destroyer named after SEAL - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Keel laid for destroyer named after SEAL

Navy officials laid the keel Friday for a destroyer named after a SEAL who died in Afghanistan, according to an announcement.

More than 50 sailors, civilians and family members gathered for the ceremony at the General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works shipyard in Bath, Maine.

The keel authentication ceremony marks the beginning of construction of DDG 112, which will be known as the destroyer Michael Murphy. Lt. Michael Murphy was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions during Operation Redwing on June 28, 2005, in Afghanistan.

“There are no words,” Murphy’s mother, Maureen Murphy, said in a statement. “I still can’t get it through my head that a U.S. Navy ship is going to be named after my son. He would be honored. I hope to have a good rapport with the crew of the Michael Murphy. On the ship, it’s going to be like one big family, and I would like to have a good relationship with the crew.”

In addition to Murphy’s mother, his father, Dan; brother John; and nearly 20 SEALs attended. The Murphy family signed a steel plate during the ceremony, which will later be affixed to the hull of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer.

“We love everyone involved with the Michael Murphy,” Dan Murphy said in a statement. “They have no idea how much they have touched us.”

Cmdr. David Price, program manager, supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, said the vessel will serve as a testament to Murphy’s character.

“This ship will transform from just plates of steel, miles of piping and cables and electronics, to a ship and crew, operating as one, imbued with the spirit of her namesake, and her sponsor,” Price said in a statement.

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