Warship named after US Marine Corps hero commissioned in shadow of Manhattan skyline

A US Navy vessel named in honour of a Medal of Honour recipient has received its official commissioning ceremony in New York City.

The new Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John Basilone, the second vessel to carry the name, was commissioned on Pier 88 on the Hudson River in New York.

The ceremony has been described as "a new chapter in naval history" by the US Navy.

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The US Navy said: "USS John Basilone (DDG-122) commissioning brings the newest Arleigh Burke-class destroyer to the field as America's warfighting Navy operates around the world, around the clock to protect US national security interests.

"The ship honours Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone, who received the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942.

"He was killed in action during the February 1945 invasion of Iwo Jima and posthumously awarded the Navy Cross."

During his service, Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone became the only US Marine to earn both the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross in World War Two.  

It was announced that the destroyer would carry his name from 2026.

The vessel is a multi-mission ship which will conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence to national security, providing a wide range of warfighting capabilities.

Her systems will allow crew to operate in anti-submarine, anti-surface, and anti-air capabilities, as well as undertake integrated operations with helicopter squadrons.