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THIS MONTH, KEELS WERE LAID FOR TWO SHIPS HONORING THE NAMES OF AMERICAN HEROES.
THE FUTURE USNS LEWIS B. PULLER IS NAMED AFTER MARINE LIEUTENANT GENERAL "CHESTY" PULLER,
THE MOST DECORATED MARINE IN HISTORY.
IN THE 1930S IN NICARAGUA, PULLER LED MARINES INTO BATTLE AGAINST ARMED BANDITS.
HE EARNED FIVE NAVY CROSSES AND MORE THAN FIFTY DECORATIONS IN HIS 37 YEARS OF SERVICE.
THE SECOND SHIP, THE FUTURE USS JOHN FINN, BEARS THE NAME OF A NAVY LIEUTENANT.
FINN EARNED THE MEDAL OF HONOR FOR HIS LEADERSHIP AND COURAGE ON THE BATTLEFIELD DURING WORLD
WAR II.
A KEEL-LAYING REPRESENTS THE FORMAL BEGINNING OF A SHIP'S SERVICE AND IS SAID TO BRING LUCK
TO THE SHIP DURING CONSTRUCTION AND TO THE CAPTAIN AND CREW.
LEWIS B. PULLER IS EXPECTED TO BE DELIVERED IN 2015 AND JOHN FINN IN 2016.
FROM THE DEFENSE MEDIA ACTIVITY, I'M PETTY OFFICER JONATHAN SUNDERMAN.