Port Tampa Bay is proud to serve as the host facility for the Naval Commissioning of the USS Jack H. Lucas DDG 125 warship in Fall of 2023. The commissioning ceremony is one of the most significant milestones in the life of a U.S. Navy ship and includes a week-long event of festivities for the ship’s crew, the U.S. Navy and the Tampa Bay community. The USS Jack H. Lucas DDG 125 is currently under construction in Pascagoula, Mississippi but will travel to Tampa Bay for the ceremony. Following the commissioning ceremony, the ship is officially brought to life and becomes part of the U.S. Navy’s official fleet.
The ship is named for decorated veteran Jack H. Lucas. On February 20, 1945, 17 year old Private First Class Lucas, serving in the 5th Marine Division, selflessly dove onto a grenade and simultaneously pulled another under his body, saving three of his fellow Marines. Although severely wounded, he survived, recovered, and was the youngest Marine ever to be awarded the Medal of Honor.
Port President & CEO Paul Anderson serves as a co-chair of the Jack H. Lucas Commissioning Committee along with Skip Witunski, President of the Tampa Bay Navy League and is led by Executive Director Darryl Adams. The committee includes a variety of leaders from Tampa Bay businesses, local veterans and government agencies.
You can support the effort of the non-profit Jack H. Lucas Commissioning Committee by donating today: https://givebutter.com/DDG125?gbtid=935b633f4a2e43289dee697432e702f2
Learn more about the life and legacy of Jack H. Lucas here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aGhPjeayJY
Follow the progress of the USS Jack H. Lucas DDG 125 ship’s progress as she prepares for service here: https://www.facebook.com/JHLDDG125?mibextid=LQQJ4d