Tom Ricks’ ship name suggestions
October 12th, 2009 | Blogs Military Sealift Command Ships Washington | Posted by Phil Ewing
Military analyst Tom Ricks suggests a future attack submarine, like the New Mexico, seen here, could be named for the Native American Chief Crazy Horse // Northrop Grumman
Big-dog military analyst Tom Ricks, who blogs for Foreign Policy magazine, wrote Monday that he likes that Military Sealift Command’s next dry cargo and ammunition ship is to be named Medgar Evers. Inspired by the civil rights activist theme, he had some other suggestions for names for future Navy warships:
Now, how about honoring a Hispanic such as Cesar Chavez? And I’m still waiting to see Nat Turner get his due, perhaps with an escape & evasion course named for him.
I’d also like someday to ride aboard a Malcom X-class destroyer, or the USS Crazy Horse, which would make a cool attack submarine. And USS War Chief Joseph would be a good name for a flagship.
The names of Navy ships always provoke discussion — for or against — whether it’s an aircraft carrier named Barry Goldwater or a submarine named Jimmy Carter. What do you think of Ricks’ ideas about honoring more controversial Americans with future Navy ships?
Comments
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Dan Says:
October 12th, 2009 at 3:52 pmOn one hand, we had a USS Robert E Lee once, so we’ve had controversial names before. More importantly though, I’m sad to see the US Navy naming ships in different ways than tradition dictates. Subs haven’t been named for sea creatures in years (Seawolf excepted), carriers aren’t after battles anymore, and the list goes on.
I actually like the idea of Indian war chiefs for destroyers, as that has always been the naming tradition of destroyers…after people who have distinguished themselves in battle. Not Malcom X though. Just doesn’t work.
And we’d better be getting a new Enterprise after they retire the carrier, and she’d better be a carrier. I don’t want to see the sister ship to the Independence be the Enterprise. That would be too far.
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justin Says:
October 12th, 2009 at 8:30 pmI think that the p.c. crap can go out the window. A ship’s names should inspire the crew and intimidate the enemy.
Look at how we named ships in WW2. Cities, States, battlegrounds…That’s more like it! in fact, look at how we went about things during WW2. “Kill Japs”…No Nonsence. Honor non war heroes with class rooms, auditoriums, holidays and such.
Not that i don’t respect those othe people’s achievements (Malcom-X, Ceasar Chavez), but jesus, stop trying so hard to please people and act like like we owe it to em. Being in this Country should be enough. -
Spade Says:
October 13th, 2009 at 7:26 amWell, it isn’t any dumber than what the Navy has currently been doing.
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CMDCM Says:
October 13th, 2009 at 9:26 amMedgar Evars did GREAT things for the advancement of Blacks in the US. From Emmitt Till to Kennard; he had a major impact of Civil Rights support in our “great” nation. It is a shame that someone with the impact of Tom Ricks does not support great American Vets like Medgar Evers who went on selflessly to help others.
These comments sound like some klansman from the ’70s.
Shameful.
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Bob Says:
October 15th, 2009 at 6:16 amUSNS Medgar Evars was just announced. There should be ships name to honor the great ships of our Navy. Saratoga, Hornet, America to name a few. PLEASE never let there be a USS Barack Obama