HII has christened USS Richard McCool Jr., an upcoming San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship Ingalls Shipbuilding is constructing for the U.S. Navy.
The company said Saturday LPD 29 is the 13th ship of the San Antonio-class and is named in recognition of Medal of Honor recipient Richard McCool Jr., a Navy captain who rescued survivors from a sinking ship and saved a landing support vessel during a World War II kamikaze attack.
Kari Wilkinson, president of HII Ingalls Shipbuilding, underscored the company’s almost two-decade partnership with the Navy on amphibious ship construction.
“Today we reflect on Richard M. McCool Jr.’s bravery and heroism in front of a ship that will carry another generation of brave sailors and Marines into missions defending our freedom,” added Wilkinson.
The christening ceremony was attended by Undersecretary of the Navy Erik Raven and Shana McCool and Kate Oja, granddaughters of the ship’s namesake.