The USS Jason Dunham arrived at Port Everglades on Friday in preparation for the Commissioning Ceremony on Friday. During the 10 day visit there will be many events and ship visitation available. The public is encouraged to attend any open events, unfortunately the actual commissioning is an invitation only event and the deadline for application has already passed.
The USS Jason Dunham is a Arliegh Burke Class Destroyer built in Bath Maine by Bath Iron Works. It is the most sophisticated offensive surface vessel produced by the US Navy. The vessel is named after Corporal Jason Dunham USMC who was killed when he selflessly jumped on a grenade in an effort to save his fellow squad mates. Jason survived the initial blast but succumbed to his injuries several days later. Jason mother Deborah is the ships sponsor. She said that Jason would be very proud.

“It’s an honor to be able to do this for Jason. I appreciate the fact that they chose to name the ship after Jason, but I like the idea that they’ll be able to carry his name on in history. I’m hoping that somebody, a child in school some day, will see the name ‘Jason Dunham’ and look it up and find out what he did with his citation. Maybe, that will encourage them to go to the Medal of Honor Society Web site and find out what other men have done for our nation, also.”

Once in Commission the ship will join the fleet and become one of the “Hero Ships” that are rising from the shipyards of America. Brother and sister ships are… USS New York, USS Arlington, USS Somerset, USS Michael Murphy, USS Michael Monsoor. The Navy has a proud tradition of naming vessels after important battles and brave service members, there is no shortage of Heroes here.