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The Navy is set to christen the future USS George M. Neal (DDG 131), a Flight III Arleigh Burke–class destroyer named for a Korean War hero whose actions during a 1951 rescue mission earned him the Navy Cross. William Toti, performing the duties of the Undersecretary of the Navy, will deliver the principal address at the ceremony.
“The future USS George M. Neal honors a legacy of extraordinary courage and sacrifice,” said Toti. “As we christen this ship, we mark another step toward building the Navy our nation needs. Flight III destroyers are critical to our nation’s security, and we are proud to accept each one built by the skilled workforce at Ingalls.”
Other speakers slated to participate include U.S. Rep. Mike Ezell of Mississippi’s 4th District; Vice Adm. Doug Williams, Director of Portfolio Acquisition Executive Strategic Systems Programs; and Christopher Kastner, president and CEO of HII, parent company of Ingalls Shipbuilding, which is building the ship. In keeping with Navy tradition, the ship’s sponsor, Kelley Neal Gray—the namesake’s daughter—will christen the vessel by breaking a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow.
The destroyer honors Aviation Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class George M. Neal, who volunteered for a deep-penetration search-and-rescue flight over North Korea in 1951 while serving with Helicopter Utility Squadron ONE (HU-1). After the helicopter was brought down by enemy fire, Neal helped fellow crew members evade capture for nine days before being taken prisoner and later released.
DDG 131 is part of the Flight III upgrade to the Navy’s long-running Arleigh Burke line, the service’s primary class of multi-mission surface combatants. The latest variant is designed for tougher air and missile defense missions and integrates expanded power and cooling to support new sensors and combat systems, including the SPY-6 Air and Missile Defense Radar. Arleigh Burke destroyers regularly operate across the spectrum of naval missions—from presence and deterrence to high-end warfare—providing air defense, surface and subsurface warfare capabilities for Carrier Strike Groups and independent deployments.
Navy officials say the christening marks another step in the broader effort to modernize and sustain a forward-deployed fleet to meet global demands. Ingalls Shipbuilding in Mississippi and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Maine are the two shipyards that build the class; Ingalls is constructing the George M. Neal.
The Navy said the event will be available via livestream.
