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| Press Release March 28, 1998 |
Bath, Maine -- On March 28, 1998, at slack high tide, 1:00 PM, Bath Iron Works (BIW) launched its sixteenth ARLEIGH BURKE Class AEGIS guided missile destroyer O’KANE (DDG 77).
The ship is named to honor Navy hero Rear Admiral Richard H. O’Kane (1911-1994).
Born in Dover, New 
Hampshire, "O’Kane was the most
famous submarine officer from World War II, serving as executive officer on the USS WAHOO
and commander of the USS TANG. O’Kane commanded the TANG from its maiden voyage until
its sinking off the coast of China in 1945. He took the TANG on five patrols across the
Pacific Ocean, sinking an enemy ship at least every 11 days. During TANG’s last
battle, it sank 11 ships within 15 minutes before the last torpedo it fired, which was
defective, turned back and sank the TANG." 1 Out of 87 crew members,
O’Kane was one of only nine who survived. He spent the remainder of the war in a
prison camp, weighing only 88 pounds upon his release.
O’Kane received the Medal of Honor for his exemplary service as leader of the TANG on March 27, 1947. His other military decorations include the Navy Cross with two Gold Stars, the Legion of Merit with Combat "V," Purple Heart, the Commendation Ribbon, and the Prisoner of War Medal. He also wrote two books based on his experiences in World War II, Clear the Bridge and WAHOO.
The launching ceremony featured Maine’s First District Congressman Tom Allen (D)
as principal speaker. The
sponsor, who christened the ship with a
decorated bottle of champagne, was Mrs. Leslie Allen Berry, granddaughter of the
ship’s namesake. Mrs. Richard H. O’Kane, wife of Rear Admiral O’Kane,
served as Matron of Honor. Joining the Sponsor, her Matron, and Congressman Allen on the
platform were Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Congressman John Baldacci (D-ME), and several
U.S. Navy officials.
The BURKE class destroyer is 505 feet long, with a beam of 66 feet and displaces 8300 tons, carrying a complement of more than 300 sailors.
O’KANE (DDG 77) is scheduled for delivery to the Navy in May of 1999.
Bath Iron Works of Bath, Maine, a leader in surface combatant design and construction, employs 7,700 people. It is a subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia. General Dynamics has leading market positions in shipbuilding and marine systems, land and amphibious combat systems, information systems, and business aviation. The company employs 43,000 people worldwide and has annualized sales of approximately $10 billion. More information about General Dynamics can be found on the worldwide web at www.generaldynamics.com.
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