USS MILIUS

• Namesake Heroism: USS Milius (DDG-69) is named after Captain Paul L. Milius, a US Navy pilot who was declared missing in action during the Vietnam War after heroically remaining with his damaged aircraft to ensure the safe escape of his crew. • Arleigh Burke-Class Destroyer: USS Milius is an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, one of the most advanced and versatile surface warships in the world. • Commissioning: The ship was commissioned on 23 November 1996 at San Diego, California, and has been homeported there for much of its service. • Modernization: USS Milius was among the first destroyers to receive the Aegis Baseline 9 combat system upgrade, allowing it to simultaneously conduct ballistic missile defense and air warfare missions. • Operation Tomodachi: In 2011, USS Milius participated in humanitarian relief efforts following the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan as part of Operation Tomodachi. • Deployment to the Western Pacific: Milius has been forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, as part of the US 7th Fleet, enhancing US naval presence in the Indo-Pacific region. • Historic Firsts: In 2023, USS Milius became the first US warship to operate in the South China Sea after a high-profile incident involving a Chinese surveillance balloon over the United States. • Female Commanding Officer: In 2015, Commander Jennifer Pontius became one of the few women to command an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, taking command of USS Milius. • Missile Defense Capabilities: USS Milius is equipped with the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, including the SM-3 and SM-6 missiles, making it a key asset in regional and homeland missile defense. • Namesake's Legacy: The ship’s motto, “Altruism, Sacrifice, Honor,” pays tribute to Captain Paul Milius’s ultimate sacrifice and continues to inspire the crew today.