ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy will commission its newest Independence-variant littoral combat ship, the future USS Cincinnati, during a ceremony on Oct. 5 on west pier in Gulfport, Mississippi, the Defense Department said in a release.
The principal speaker will be Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio). Former Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker will serve as the ship’s sponsor. The ceremony will be highlighted by a time-honored naval tradition when Pritzker gives the first order to “man our ship and bring her to life!”
“USS Cincinnati and her crew will play an important role in the defense of our nation and maritime freedom,” Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer said.
“She stands as proof of what teamwork — from civilian to contractor to military — can accomplish. This fast, agile platform will deliver her motto, ‘Strength in Unity’ worldwide thanks to their efforts.”
The future USS Cincinnati is the fifth U.S. Navy ship to honor Ohio’s third largest city. The first was a stern-wheel casemate gunboat that served during the Civil War and was sunk by Confederate fire on two separate occasions. Raised both times and returned to service, she was decommissioned following the war.
The second Cincinnati was a cruiser commissioned in 1894. She served extensively in the Caribbean before, during and after the Spanish-American War before being decommissioned in 1919.
The third ship to bear the name was a light cruiser commissioned in 1924 that served around the world and earned a battle star for World War II service that included convoy escort and blockade duty. She was decommissioned in 1945 after the war ended.
The fourth Cincinnati was a Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine commissioned in 1978. The boat served for 17 years before being decommissioned in 1995.
