The third naval vessel named for the Garden State, USS New Jersey (SSN 796), was commissioned Saturday at Naval Weapons Station Earle in Middletown Township, New Jersey.
“New Jersey is the fifth Block IV Virginia-class submarine and is the first in its class designed and built with modifications for a gender-integrated crew,” and her sponsor is the wife of Obama’s Secretary of Homeland Security.
Different to see subs with integrated gender crews…
LEONARDO, New Jersey: PCU New Jersey (SSN 796) pulls into Naval Weapons Station Earle Pier on Sept. 6, 2024, in preparation for the Virginia Class Fast Attack Submarine’s upcoming commissioning ceremony. U.S. Navy Photo By Bill Addison/released
The first USS New Jersey was a battleship (BB 16) commissioned in 1906 as part of the Great White Fleet that expanded the Navy during the Great War
The second, also a battleship (BB 62) but with much better lore, was commissioned in 1943 and earned commendations for action in World War II and the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. This includes the Navy Unit Commendation for Vietnam service, and 15 battle/campaign stars (nine for World War II, four for the Korean conflict, and two for Vietnam.)
The “Black Dragon,” preserved as a museum ship in Camden since 2001, recently hosted the crew of PCU SSN 796 on board the Battleship New Jersey Museum & Memorial for an event.
Interestingly, the new sub will carry some pieces of the old battlewagons’ official silver set and other relics including wartime teak from BB-62’s deck that will be repurposed for goat locker and wardroom coffee cut racks and other items.