The U.S. Navy commissioned its 69th Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) in a ceremony at Naval Air Station North Island on July 29.
The General Dynamics-built ship is named in honor of Navy Cross recipient Marine Corp Sgt. Rafael Peralta.
During the second battle of Fallujah, he smothered a grenade with his body, absorbing the majority of the blast. He was killed instantly, but saved the lives of his fellow Marines.
The Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Robert B. Neller, gave the principal address. In his remarks, he thanked the family of Rafael Peralta, in particular his mother, Rosa Maria Peralta.
“Thank you for raising a man of character and virtue,” he said. “We need more people like him in our world.”
Neller said that a ship required three things: A hull, a name, and a crew.
“And when you put those three things together, you create more than just a ship; it’s a lifeform,” he said. “This is more than just another commissioning. It marks the commemoration of a life and the immortality of a hero. Sergeant Peralta’s legacy will forever be part of this ship. All he ever wanted to be was an American, to serve his country.”
Vice Adm. Nora Tyson, commander, Third Fleet, stepped up to the podium with the ship’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Brian Ribota and placed the ship in commission.
“On behalf of the Secretary of the Navy and for the President of the United States, I hereby place United States Ship Rafael Peralta in commission,” she said. “May God bless and guide this warship and all who shall sail in her.”
Rosa Maria Peralta, mother of Sgt. Peralta, is the ship’s sponsor. Her sponsorship duties saw her christen the ship in Bath, Maine and during the commissioning ceremony, she gave the order to the ship’s crew to bring the ship to life.