DDG 129 to be named for Denton

WASHINGTON - Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer named a future Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer in honor of Navy Vietnam veteran and POW, Navy Cross recipient, and former U.S. Senator from Alabama, Jeremiah Denton. “Admiral Denton’s legacy is an inspiration to all who wear our nation’s uniform,” said SECNAV Richard V. Spencer. “His heroic actions during a defining period in our history have left an indelible mark on our Navy and Marine Corps team and our nation.” The Mobile, Ala.-born Denton graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1947 and served as a test pilot, flight instructor, and squadron leader, and developed operational tactics still in use, such as the Haystack Concept, which calls for the dispersing of carrier fleets to make it more difficult for the enemy to find the fleet on Radar. In July 1965, Denton was shot down over North Vietnam and spent nearly eight years as a POW. During an interview with Japanese media, Denton used Morse code to blink “torture,” confirming that American POWs were being tortured. Denton was released from captivity in 1973, retired from the Navy in 1977, and in 1980 was elected to the U.S. Senate from Alabama. The future USS Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129) will be constructed at Huntington Ingalls Industries’ shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss. (Source: Secretary of the Navy 01/04/19)