The U.S. Navy will christen the future guided-missile destroyer Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129), an Arleigh Burke-class Flight III warship, in a ceremony featuring senior defense and industry leaders. Dr. Brett A. Seidle, performing the duties of the Under Secretary of the Navy, is slated to deliver the principal address. Additional remarks are expected from Vice Adm. James P. Downey, commander of Naval Sea Systems Command, and Brian Blanchett, president of Ingalls Shipbuilding and executive vice president at Huntington Ingalls Industries.
In keeping with naval tradition, ship sponsors Madeleine Denton Doak and Mary Denton Lewis—the namesake’s daughters—will christen the ship by breaking a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow. Christening ceremonies formally bestow a ship’s name and mark a major milestone on the path to delivery and commissioning.
The destroyer honors Vietnam War veteran and former U.S. Sen. Jeremiah Denton, who received the Navy Cross for heroism while held as a prisoner of war and later represented Alabama in the Senate.
The Navy cast the christening as a marker of its 250-year commitment to innovation and maritime dominance and of its readiness to operate across domains, positioning the event as both a look back at service heritage and a step toward future capabilities.
As a Flight III destroyer, DDG 129 is built around the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar, paired with upgraded shipboard power and cooling to support expanded sensor and combat-system performance. The configuration is intended to boost fleet air and missile defense while preserving the multi-mission flexibility that has defined the class.
Ingalls Shipbuilding, a division of HII, is continuing production of additional Flight III destroyers. Sister ships now on the line include Ted Stevens (DDG 128), George M. Neal (DDG 131), Sam Nunn (DDG 133), and Thad Cochran (DDG 135).
