USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62)

• Namesake: USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) is named after Lieutenant William Charles Fitzgerald, a naval officer who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism during the Vietnam War. • Commissioning: The ship was commissioned on October 14, 1995, at Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island, with Commander Dennis C. FitzPatrick as its first commanding officer. • Arleigh Burke-class: USS Fitzgerald is part of the Arleigh Burke-class of guided missile destroyers, renowned for their Aegis Combat System and versatility in air, surface, and subsurface warfare. • Forward-Deployed: Since 2004, Fitzgerald has been forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, supporting the U.S. Seventh Fleet and playing a key role in Pacific security operations. • Collision Incident: On June 17, 2017, Fitzgerald collided with the container ship ACX Crystal off the coast of Japan, resulting in the tragic loss of seven sailors and significant damage to the destroyer. • Heroic Damage Control: After the 2017 collision, the crew's rapid and courageous damage control efforts prevented the ship from sinking, with many sailors risking their lives to save their shipmates and the vessel. • Extensive Repairs: The damage from the collision required Fitzgerald to be transported to Pascagoula, Mississippi, aboard the heavy-lift ship MV Transshelf for repairs, which took over two years and cost more than $367 million. • Return to Service: The destroyer was redelivered to the Navy in April 2020 after extensive repairs and modernization, and officially returned to service in June 2020. • Ballistic Missile Defense: Fitzgerald is equipped with advanced ballistic missile defense capabilities, including SM-3 missiles, making her an important asset in regional missile defense initiatives. • Regular Exercises and Deployments: USS Fitzgerald has participated in numerous multinational exercises, including RIMPAC and joint operations with allied navies, showcasing the interoperability and strength of U.S. naval forces.