U.S.S. Jason Dunham Commissioned In Port Everglades, Florida.

[twyacht]

Caught some of the ceremony, took a long lunch,....well worth it. What a ship. Not the mamby-pamby one I'm on,....this one has ass whoopin capabilities, and a fine name.





http://www.littlegreenfootballs2.com/2009/08/01/a-hero-is-honoredu-s-s-jason-dunham-christened/

This event should have dominated the news today.

Jason Lee Dunham, born and raised in Scion, NY, was destined to be a Marine. Jason’s birthday was the same as the USMC, 10 Nov., and in typical fashion of a hero, he extended his enlistment so he could serve a full combat tour with his fellow Marines, making a personal vow to get all the members of his squad home alive. All did, but Jason, who lingered for eight days before the Lord called him home, while his parents, Gen. Michael Hagee, and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps John L. Estrada stood by his side.

Thank you Jason, for being there for us, and your fellow Marines.
Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Dunham, for allowing us to share the life and memory of your son.

Here is the official MoH citation, on Jason, and the other three recipients of this award in Iraq.

    DUNHAM, JASON L.

    Rank and Organization: Corporal, United States Marine Corps
    For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Rifle Squad Leader, 4th Platoon, Company K, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines (Reinforced), Regimental Combat Team 7, First Marine Division (Reinforced), on 14 April 2004. Corporal Dunham’s squad was conducting a reconnaissance mission in the town of Karabilah, Iraq, when they heard rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire erupt approximately two kilometers to the west. Corporal Dunham led his Combined Anti-Armor Team towards the engagement to provide fire support to their Battalion Commander’s convoy, which had been ambushed as it was traveling to Camp Husaybah. As Corporal Dunham and his Marines advanced, they quickly began to receive enemy fire. Corporal Dunham ordered his squad to dismount their vehicles and led one of his fire teams on foot several blocks south of the ambushed convoy. Discovering seven Iraqi vehicles in a column attempting to depart, Corporal Dunham and his team stopped the vehicles to search them for weapons. As they approached the vehicles, an insurgent leaped out and attacked Corporal Dunham. Corporal Dunham wrestled the insurgent to the ground and in the ensuing struggle saw the insurgent release a grenade. Corporal Dunham immediately alerted his fellow Marines to the threat. Aware of the imminent danger and without hesitation, Corporal Dunham covered the grenade with his helmet and body, bearing the brunt of the explosion and shielding his Marines from the blast. In an ultimate and selfless act of bravery in which he was mortally wounded, he saved the lives of at least two fellow Marines. By his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty, Corporal Dunham gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

***

DDG-109.  May God Protect all aboard the U.S.S. Dunham, just as Corporal Dunham did for his men.

Ships Prayer:

O Eternal Father, we pray for all who sail in this ship. Unite us in the spirit of service and friendship and strengthen us that we may faithfully perform our duty. We ask Thy blessing on those we love and pray that we have lasting peace through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

[tombogan03884]

If this is the young man who after losing both legs refused to be evacuated until the rest of his men had been tended to, it in fact made the front page of the Laconia Citizen today.

[fightingquaker13]

I know its a tradition for Destroyers to be named for fallen heroes. I would suggest that every class of ship be named thus. For one simple reason. Let the enemy know that "There's another one after me".
We don't quit.
FQ13

[tombogan03884]

Different classes of ships receive different types of Names Generally speaking, (there are ALWAYS exceptions, Battleships, (now Nuclear Subs) were named for States, Diesel Subs for fish, Carriers for battles etc.

[fightingquaker13]

Different classes of ships receive different types of Names Generally speaking, (there are ALWAYS exceptions, Battleships, (now Nuclear Subs) were named for States, Diesel Subs for fish, Carriers for battles etc.

Understood. I'm just saying that rather than facing the "Alabama" or "The Nautilus" or "The Dead Admiral X" or even the "Good Idea" like say "The Constitution, or the "Enterprise", it might be a bit scarier if we named them after the fallen. Forget the Alabama. How about The CPO Jackson? Or the Captain Suarez? Or the Commander O'Halloran? Just a reminder that the ships were named for folks who died in the line and every member of the crew knows it. Just a thought.
FQ13

[Sponsor]

[tombogan03884]

I forgot to mention where names like "Hornet,"" Enterprise," "Wasp" etc, After the first one, (USS Langley) Carriers were named for other famous US warships, The battle names came during WWII when they were building a Carrier a month.
(Big ones, the little Jeep Carriers were much quicker. )

[jnevis]

I know its a tradition for Destroyers to be named for fallen heroes. I would suggest that every class of ship be named thus. For one simple reason. Let the enemy know that "There's another one after me".
We don't quit.
FQ13

The Dunham is part of the Arleigh Burke class AEGIS DDG.  You might recognize some of the other names

Flight I ships Arleigh Burke · Barry · John Paul Jones · Curtis Wilbur · Stout · John S. McCain · Mitscher · Laboon · Russell · Paul Hamilton · Ramage · Fitzgerald · Stethem · Carney · Benfold · Gonzalez · Cole · The Sullivans · Milius · Hopper · Ross
 
Flight II ships Mahan · Decatur · McFaul · Donald Cook · Higgins · O'Kane · Porter
 
Flight IIA ships 5"/54 variant: Oscar Austin · Roosevelt
5"/62 variant: Winston S. Churchill · Lassen · Howard · Bulkeley · McCampbell · Shoup · Mason · Preble · Mustin · Chafee · Pinckney · Momsen · Chung-Hoon · Nitze · James E. Williams · Bainbridge · Halsey · Forrest Sherman · Farragut · Kidd · Gridley · Sampson · Truxtun · Sterett · Dewey · Stockdale · Gravely · Wayne E. Meyer · Jason Dunham · William P. Lawrence · Spruance · Michael Murphy