NORFOLK—In a moving ceremony that honored service, sacrifice and tradition, the United States Navy on Saturday, April 11, commissioned the USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124), officially entering the ship into service of the U.S. Navy as part of the Naval Surface Group Middle Atlantic. The ceremony took place at Naval Shipyard Norfolk.
The ship is named after Medal of Honor recipient and retired U.S. Marine Corps Col. Harvey C. “Barney” Barnum Jr. His wife, Martha Hill, serves as the ship’s sponsor. The Reedville residents have both been deeply involved with the ship and crew from the time fabrication began in 2018 through the day’s commissioning. While Barnum’s name is on the ship, it was Hill’s role as sponsor to “wish her fair winds and following seas. May God bless all who sail in her, and may God bless the United States of America.”
Commandant of the Marine Corps General Eric M. Smith called Barnum “a true warrior” and said “his gallant initiative and heroic conduct reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. Ladies and gentlemen, I don’t know where we get individuals like Barney Barnum, but we’re damn lucky to have him. That is the stuff that legends are made of.” In closing, he led the crowd of 1,500 invitees and ship’s crew to a rousing “Charge On!,” which serves as the ship’s motto.
During his remarks, Barnum recognized “my radio operator, (Cpl.) Patrick Iacunato” who was with him on the fateful day in 1965. “Because when I took over that rifle company, he took my radio and continued to adjust fire.” Barnum would later be awarded for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.””There's more to this story...
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