Posted on 03/14/2006 5:07:14 PM PST by SandRat
GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) and guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) were named honorary flagships March 13 for the upcoming search for the remains of the original Bonhomme Richard, which sank in the North Sea in 1779.
The search project revolves around one of the most memorable battles of the American Revolution, where John Paul Jones, an American naval hero, uttered his legendary words, I have not yet begun to fight!
Its entirely appropriate that these front-line warships are honorary flagships of the expedition, as they are representative of Jones legacy, said Capt. Jack Ringelberg, president of the Ocean Technology Foundation (OTF).
LHD 6, homeported in San Diego, is the third U.S. warship to bear the name Bonhomme Richard. With a crew of 1,200 Sailors, todays Bonhomme Richard carries into action 1,500 Marines and their aircraft, vehicles and equipment. In 2005, Bonhomme Richard and embarked Marines delivered humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to Indonesian tsunami survivors and conducted security and combat operations in the northern Persian Gulf and Iraq.
Capt. John Paul Jones and the crew of Bonhomme Richard established the U.S. Navys reputation for courage and determination in battle, and we are proud and thrilled to be named a flagship for this historic expedition, said USS Bonhomme Richards Commanding Officer, Capt. Stephen Greene. Locating the original Bonhomme Richard some 227 years later would be a tremendous oceanographic technical achievement and fitting tribute to Jones and his crew.
DDG 53 is the sixth ship to carry the name of the U.S. Navys founding father. John Paul Jones, an Aegis destroyer, has represented the ships motto and Jones own promise to go In Harm's Way during the global war on terrorism.
The legacy of John Paul Jones is carried forth in our ship on a daily basis, and it is an honor to be associated with such an important research project, one that will hopefully enlighten us more about Jones most famous ship and certainly, his most famous battle, said James Housinger, John Paul Jones commanding officer.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the celebrated return of Jones body to the United States, said Ringelberg, and it would be great to be able to say that we have helped bring closure to this chapter in U.S. naval history by locating the remains of his ship.
The OTF is a nonprofit organization based in Groton on the University of Connecticuts Avery Point campus. Its mission is to foster excellence in ocean exploration, marine research and education.
|
|||
Gods |
Note: this topic is from 2006. Thanks SandRat. |
||
· Discover · Nat Geographic · Texas AM Anthro News · Yahoo Anthro & Archaeo · Google · · The Archaeology Channel · Excerpt, or Link only? · cgk's list of ping lists · |
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.