This Is How To Name a Warship

That picture has significance. Background here.

During the service, as Monsoor's coffin was taken from the hearse to the gravesite, Navy SEALs lined up in two columns. As the coffin passed, video shows each SEAL slapping down the gold Trident from his uniform and deeply embedding it in Monsoor's wooden coffin.

The slaps were reportedly heard across the cemetery.

Ever since the Navy began naming submarines after states, which I still consider a significant change from naming them after cities, it only makes sense to name our battleships after the nations hero's. In that regard, it is appropriate that we name our soon to be biggest battleship after one of our biggest hero's from the latest war.

“DDG 1001, the second ship in our newest class of destroyers, will be named after Michael Monsoor,” Navy Secretary Donald Winter said remarks prepared for an address to be given Wednesday night in New York.

“Michael Monsoor’s name will now be linked with one of our nation’s most visible examples of military power — a U.S. Navy warship,” Winter said in the address prepared for a Navy SEAL Warrior Fund dinner.

The Michael Monsoor will be the second DDG 1000 Zumwalt-class advanced destroyer. Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding is expected to begin construction of the ship next year at its Ingalls shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss., with delivery projected to take place in 2014.

Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (SEAL) Michael Monsoor is one of two sailors awarded the Medal of Honor since the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan began. The first, Lt. Michael Murphy, is the namesake of DDG 112, now under construction at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works of Bath, Maine, and is expected to be delivered in 2011.

The term hero is passed out too lightly in American society, and some take for granted the real thing. If you are confused on the definition, ponder these actions.

“One of the key aspects of this incident was the way the overwatch position was structured. There was only one access point for entry or exit and Monsoor was the only one who could have saved himself from harm. Instead, knowing what the outcome would be, he fell on the grenade to save the others from harm. Monsoor and the two injured were evacuated to the combat outpost battalion aid station where Monsoor died approximately 30 minutes after the incident from injuries sustained by the grenade blast.”

Also due to Monsoor’s selfless actions, the fourth man of the SEAL squad who was 10-15 feet from the blast, was unhurt. A 28-year-old Lieutenant, who sustained shrapnel wounds to both legs that day, said the following in crediting Monsoor with saving his life: “He never took his eye off the grenade - his only movement was down toward it. He undoubtedly saved mine and the other SEALs’ lives, and we owe him.”

As Kristen Scharnberg of the ChicagoTribune summarized in tribute, “The men who were there that day say they could see the options flicker across Michael Mansoor’s face: save himself or save the men he had long considered brothers. He chose them.”

Blackfive should be pleased, DDG-1001 is a more fitting tribute to the memory of Michael Monsor than the Galley at NAB Coronado. By giving such an important name to the second ship of the Zumwalt class, the Navy has sent a clear signal the first two DDG-1000s will be built, let there be no doubt. It doesn't explain why steel isn't being cut for the first one yet, but it certainly guarantees steel will be cut.

Final thought, while gold tridents made statements at Michael Monsoor's funeral, we noted there was also appropriate respect in tribute to Michael Monsoor at his Medal of Honor ceremony. Our nation is blessed with men like Michael Monsoor manning the watch tower of our nation, and these men as well.

Bravo Zulu to the Navy. Let us never forget.