Amidst an atmosphere of pride and honor, the U.S. Navy welcomed its latest addition to the fleet, the USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr., at a commissioning ceremony held at Naval Station Norfolk. This guided-missile destroyer, bearing hull number DDG 124, is named in honor of a Vietnam War hero and Medal of Honor recipient.
The event, attended by approximately 1,800 guests, was graced by the presence of retired Col. Harvey C. “Barney” Barnum Jr., the honoree himself, who witnessed the ship transition into active service. His wife, Martha Hill, acting as the ship’s sponsor, issued the ceremonial command to bring the vessel to life. The ceremony featured speeches from Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan, Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. James W. Kilby, and Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Eric M. Smith. Cmdr. Ben Cantu leads the ship as its first commanding officer, with Barnum’s niece, Chief Petty Officer Courtney Dion, serving aboard as a hospital corpsman.
The Last of a Line
The USS Barnum is the 74th destroyer in the Arleigh Burke-class, joining the ranks of the U.S. Navy since the commissioning of the USS Arleigh Burke in 1991. This vessel is one of the final Flight IIA Technology Insertion variants to be completed before the transition to the more advanced Flight III models, which feature the AN/SPY-6 radar. The Barnum is equipped with the older AN/SPY-1D(V) radar and the Aegis Baseline 9 combat system.
Constructed by General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Maine, the destroyer spans approximately 509 feet in length, with a beam of 66 feet, and weighs around 9,200 tons. It is propelled by four GE LM2500 gas turbines, enabling speeds beyond 30 knots. The ship’s crew consists of roughly 300 sailors and supports two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters housed in a double hangar at the aft.
Armed with a 96-cell Mk 41 Vertical Launch System, the destroyer can deploy Tomahawk cruise missiles, various Standard Missile types, Evolved Sea Sparrow, and VL-ASROC anti-submarine rockets. Additional weaponry includes a 5-inch Mk 45 gun, a Phalanx close-in weapon system, two Mk 38 25 mm gun mounts, and Mk 32 torpedo tubes.
Funded under a $644 million contract modification awarded in March 2016, construction of DDG 124 began in May 2018. The keel was laid on April 6, 2021, with christening on July 29, 2023. Following acceptance trials, the Navy took delivery on Nov. 17, 2025. The ship set sail from Bath on March 4, 2026, arriving at Norfolk 16 days later.
The crew, known as the Grizzlies, proudly displays a battle flag featuring a grizzly bear, inspired by Barnum’s quoted words, “If you’re going to be a bear, be a grizzly.”
Ky Phu, December 1965
During his service in Vietnam, Barnum was temporarily assigned to South Vietnam, where his Medal of Honor-worthy actions took place. On Dec. 18, 1965, while serving as a forward artillery observer with Company H, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, outside Ky Phu in Quang Tin Province, Barnum faced intense combat during Operation Harvest Moon.
When his company was caught in a crossfire and separated from other battalion forces, Barnum assumed command after the rifle company commander was mortally wounded and the radio operator killed. He provided aid, took control of communications, and led his fellow Marines in a counterattack, coordinating air strikes and helicopter evacuations.
Barnum’s heroic leadership and bravery earned him the distinction of being the fourth Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for Vietnam service.
One Hull, a Bigger Problem
The USS Barnum enters into service amidst challenges in the Navy’s shipbuilding program, which struggles to meet its fleet expansion plans. A February 2025 Government Accountability Office report revealed significant delays in the construction of 37 out of 45 ships. The Navy’s goal of a 313-ship battle force for 2025 is unlikely to be met, with projections falling short at 287 ships.
From fiscal 2019 to 2023, the Navy anticipated receiving 15 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and 11 Virginia-class attack submarines but only obtained seven destroyers and four submarines. The Navy League’s Center for Maritime Strategy has highlighted the need for international cooperation to revitalize the maritime industrial base.
The “Pier Review” report advocates for collaboration with allies such as South Korea, Italy, Canada, Sweden, and the UK to share resources and expertise. Kenneth Braithwaite, the 77th Secretary of the Navy, emphasized the importance of allied support in addressing these challenges.
The Trump administration’s “Golden Fleet” initiative seeks to expand naval capabilities with a combination of manned and unmanned vessels, including a new battleship program and continued Arleigh Burke production. The fiscal 2027 budget request includes a substantial $65.8 billion for shipbuilding, the largest in decades.
Phelan noted the need for an additional 250,000 shipyard workers over the next decade, as a significant portion of the current workforce nears retirement. Bath Iron Works is actively constructing seven more destroyers, with the USS Barnum leading the way.
“This ship is not symbolic, it is combat power,” Phelan stated during the commissioning ceremony, reflecting the strategic importance of the new destroyer.
