PASCAGOULA, Miss — The Navy accepted delivery of future guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) from shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) Wednesday. In early September, DDG 114 successfully demonstrated its ship’s systems and readiness during a series of at sea and in-port trials for the U.S. Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV). Due to the success of the trials, INSURV recommended the ship be accepted for delivery to the U.S. Navy. DDG 114’s namesake, Pfc. Ralph H. Johnson, received the Medal of Honor for his actions during Operation Rock in the Vietnam War, 1968. Johnson jumped on top of a tossed grenade to spare his fellow Marines from the blast. The heroic action took Johnson’s life but saved the lives of his brothers in arms and undoubtedly prevented the enemy from penetrating his sector of the perimeter. (Source: NNS, 11/15/17)
