Naval Base San Diego’s recent Holiday Lights Surface Ship Competition saw the San Antonio-class gator USS John P Murtha (LPD 26) take “Best in Show,” while the “Steelworkers” of the Flight I Burke-class destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) took “Best Holiday Spirit” and the testbed Zumwalt-class destroyer USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) scored “Best Navy Spirit.”
Those not placing but still looking great included the Flight IIA Burke USS Sterett (DDG 104), Monsoor’s class-leader USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000), and the recently commissioned USS Mobile (LCS 26), who looked as good as when I saw her off from the port city she was constructed at in May.
Of course, the practice is nothing new:
USS MOUNT WHITNEY LCC 20 lit for holidays, 2019
USS Ticonderoga (CVS-14) lit up for Christmas at Naval Air Station North Island, California in December 1971. U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 1996.488.039.067
USS Perry (DE-1034) Christmas lighting aboard ship while at Key West Naval Station Annex, Key West, Florida. The winner for Destroyer Division 601, 25 December 1961. K-26491