Northrop Grumman-built DDG Mustin commissioned in U.S. Pacific Fleet

Sea Power, Sep 2003 by Burgess, Richard R

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark delivered the keynote address at the commissioning ceremonies of the Navy's newest destroyer as the USS Mustin (DDG 89)-the Navy's 39th Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer and the 18th built by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems-joined the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

The 9,300-ton Mustin-homeported in San Diego, Calif., under the command of Cdr. Ann Phillips-was ordered to life by the ship's sponsors: Lucy Holcomb Mustin, wife of retired Vice Adm. Henry C. Mustin II; Jean Phillips Mustin, wife of retired Lt. Cdr. Thomas M. Mustin; and Mrs. Douglas Mustin St. Denis, sister of Henry C. Mustin II and Thomas M. Mustin. Anne Howard Thomas, matron of honor for DD 413, the first ship named Mustin in 1938, served as matron of honor for DDG 89 as well.

The Mustin honors a family of U.S. Navy officers whose service spanned more than a century. Capt. Henry C. Mustin (1874-1923) participated in the capture of Vigan in the Philippines in 1899; flew the first aircraft ever catapulted off a ship; flew the first operational missions-off Vera Cruz, Mexico-by naval aircraft; and served as the first commander of Aircraft Squadrons, Atlantic Fleet. His son, Vice Adm. Lloyd Mustin (1911-1999), helped to develop the Navy's first lead-computing anti-aircraft gunsight; served on board the cruiser USS Atlanta during the Battle of Guadalcanal; and served as operations director of the Joint Staff.

Lloyd Mustin's son Henry C. Mustin served in the Vietnam War; as Navy inspector general; as commander of the U.S. Second Fleet; and as deputy chief of naval operations for plans and policy. His brother, Thomas M. Mustin, served in combat in Vietnam in river patrol boats.

Also speaking at the 26 July commissioning ceremonies were Rep. Susan Davis (D-Calif.); Vice Adm. Timothy W. LaFleur, commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Rear Adm. Charles S. Hamilton II, program executive officer for ships; and Philip A. Dur, president of Northrop Grumman Ship Systems and corporate vice president of Northrop Grumman.

Retired Rear Adm. Hugh Webster led the Navy League's San Diego Council's support of the commissioning activities.

By RICHARD R. BURGESS

Managing Editor