THE PRINT EDITION
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2018
VOLUME XIX- ISSUE 74
USS Hudner Visits South Boston for Her Commissioning The destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) docked at the Flynn Cruiseport on the Reserved Channel on Monday, November 26. Weeklong events and festivities ensued – guided tours, press events, and celebrations – leading up to her formal Commissioning on Saturday morning, December 1. This article deals with a South Boston student visit to the Hudner and her Commissioning.
by Rick Winterson
T
he Commissioning of any U.S. Navy ship is a major event. American fighting ships are the best way of broadcasting America’s military strength rapidly, massively, and completely. South Boston was honored last week by serving as the host port for the U.S. Navy’s newest ship – Commissioned as the “USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116)” after a week-long series of observances. As several sources have pointed out, November 26
through Saturday, December 1, was an unusual and important week in Boston Harbor history. For seven days, the newest and the oldest warships in the nation (and indeed, in the entire world) were docked here – the newly Commissioned USS Hudner in our own Reserved Channel, and the USS Constitution in the Charlestown Navy Yard. The USS Hudner is the namesake of Captain Thomas Hudner USN, whose bravery in aerial combat over the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean Conflict led to Hudner’s being awarded the Medal of Honor “for exceptionally valiant action and selfless devotion to a shipmate” – Hudner’s wingman, Ensign Jesse Brown. Capt. Hudner was a local resident. Originally from Fall River, he and his family retired to Concord after he served some 30 years in the U.S. Navy. Hudner then worked for another 40 years serving veterans’ causes. He died in December of last year One of last week’s activities while the USS Hudner was docked at the Flynn Cruiseport was a joint school
A final view of the newly Commissioned USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), docked in South Boston’s Reserved Channel. tour. Last Wednesday morning, approximately 50 students from St. Peter School, South Boston Catholic Academy, and the Oliver Perry School were joined by elected officials from South Boston – City Councilors Ed Flynn and Michael Flaherty, and state Rep.-elect David Biele. The occasion was a tour arranged by Massport’s Tommy Butler and Massport’s Acting CEO John Pranckevicius. The students presented a commemorative plaque to
the Hudner’s Duty Officer, Lt. Nahum Cook, as they gathered on her top deck , over a forecastle (or “fo’keh’sul”) studded with 32 guided missile launch tubes. Lt. Cook explained everything from the ship’s brass alarm bell to the crowded bridge. The students asked several very perceptive and intelligent questions. It was a very successful tour, which ended with a festive pizza lunch, courtesy of Massport. The week’s events Continued on Page 2
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