What's in a name?

Celebrating Two Navy Destroyer Birthdays

By Stephanie Thompson

Naval Station Mayport services 77 tenant commands, including 15 homeported ships (13 USN, one USCG, one MSC), three helicopter squadrons, and more than 8,000 Servicemembers of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard.

In April, two of those tenant commands—locally homeported Navy destroyers— will celebrate their birthdays: USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) and USS Lassen (DDG 82). While every ship in the fleet has its own experiences through service, each ship begins with a singular story to galvanize the first and all subsequent crews. That story is of a ship’s namesake. What do you know about the individuals behind the inspiration that became April’s birthday destroyers?

USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) celebrates 24 years: Commissioned April 19, 1997

USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) is the second ship to be named in honor of the five brothers from Waterloo, Iowa, who served together aboard USS Juneau (CL 52) during World War II. The Sullivan brothers lost their lives as a result of their ship being sunk by a Japanese submarine during the Battle of Guadalcanal on November 13, 1942.

The original ship of the same name, The Sullivans (DD 537), was commissioned on September 30, 1943, and served until January 7, 1965. It was sponsored by the parents of the Sullivan brothers, Thomas F. and Alleta Sullivan. It was also the first ship commissioned in the Navy that honored more than one person.

The loss of the Sullivan brothers remains the single greatest wartime sacrifice 10% of any American family.

USS Lassen (DDG 82) celebrates 20 years: Commissioned April 21, 2001

USS Lassen is named after a Medal of Honor recipient who grew up on The Liberty Coast: Commander Clyde Everett Lassen.

At the time of his heroic actions in North Vietnam—June 19, 1968—Lassen was a lieutenant, junior grade pilot in the U.S. Navy, attempting to rescue two downed aviators in the dead of night. According to his award citation:

“…Lieutenant Lassen skillfully piloted his aircraft over unknown and hostile terrain to a steep, tree-covered hill on which the survivors had been located. Although enemy fire was being directed at the helicopter…With the aid of flare illumination, Lieutenant Lassen successfully accomplished a hover between two trees…

Illumination was abruptly lost as the last of the flares were expended, and the helicopter collided with a tree, commencing a sharp descent…After another unsuccessful, illuminated rescue attempt, and with his fuel dangerously low and his aircraft significantly damaged, he launched again…

When flare illumination was again lost, Lieutenant Lassen, fully aware of the dangers in clearly revealing his position to the enemy, turned on his landing lights and completed the landing. On this attempt, the survivors were able to make their way to the helicopter. En route to the coast he encountered and successfully evaded additional hostile anti-aircraft fire and, with fuel for only five minutes of flight remaining, landed safely aboard U.S.S. Jouett (DLG-29).”

Liberty Life wishes a happy birthday to USS The Sullivans and USS Lassen!