USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. Commissioned as First Destroyer Named for Vietnam Medal of Honor Recipient
The USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124) was commissioned by the U.S. Navy on March 20, 2026. This event marks the first time a destroyer has been named for a Medal of Honor recipient from the Vietnam War, highlighting the Navy's commitment to honoring service members.

The USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124) was commissioned on March 20, 2026, at Naval Station Norfolk.
This destroyer is the 74th Arleigh Burke-class vessel and features a 96-cell Mk 41 Vertical Launch System. Built by General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, it measures approximately 509 feet and displaces about 9,200 tons.
The Navy has commissioned DDG 124 under a $644 million contract, with construction beginning in May 2018. The U.S. Navy's shipbuilding program faces challenges, as a February 2025 report indicated significant delays in ship construction. The Pentagon's fiscal 2027 shipbuilding budget request is $65.8 billion, the highest since 1962, as the Navy strives to meet future operational demands.




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