U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced Friday October 9, 2009 that the newest Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo/ammunition ship (T-AKE) would be named USNS Medgar Evers. during a Jackson State University speaking engagement in Mississippi.
Continuing the Lewis and Clark-class tradition of honoring legendary pioneers and explorers, the Navy's newest underway replenishment ship recognizes civil rights activist Medgar Evers (1925-1963) who forever changed race relations in America. At a time when our country was wrestling to end segregation and racial injustice, Evers led efforts to secure the right to vote for all African Americans and to integrate public facilities, schools, and restaurants. On June 12, 1963, the Mississippi native was assassinated in the driveway of his home. Evers’ death prompted President John F. Kennedy to ask the Congress for a comprehensive civil rights bill.
Designated T-AKE 13, Medgar Evers will be the 13th ship of the class, and is being built in San Diego by General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Company. As a combat logistics force ship, Medgar Evers will help the Navy maintain a worldwide forward presence by delivering ammunition, food, fuel, and other dry cargo to U.S. and allied ships at sea.
As part of Military Sealift Command's Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force, Medgar Evers will be designated as a United States Naval Ship (USNS) and will be crewed by 124 civil service mariners and 11 Navy sailors. The ship is designed to operate independently for extended periods at sea, can carry a helicopter, is 689 feet in length, has an overall beam of 106 feet, has a navigational draft of 30 feet, displaces approximately 42,000 tons, and is capable of reaching a speed of 20 knots using a single-shaft, diesel-electric propulsion system.
The Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo/ammunition ships are operated by the Navy's Military Sealift Command and provide multi-product combat logistics support to the Navy fleet. The USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE 1), the class lead ship, is a new Combat Logistics Force (CLF) underway replenishment vessel intended to replace the current capability of the Kilauea-class (T-AE 26) ammunition ships and Mars-class (T-AFS 1) combat stores ships. With the retirement of the Sacramento-class (AOE 1) fast combat support ships, the T-AKEs may also operate as battle group station ships when accompanied by a Henry J. Kaiser-class (T-AO 187) oiler. The T-AKE program calls for up to 14 ships and has a budget of more than $6 billion. The T-AKE acquisition program resides within the Navy's Program Executive Office, Ships - Support Ships Boats and Craft Program Office.
As an auxiliary support ship, T-AKEs directly contribute to the ability of the Navy to maintain a forward presence. In its primary mission role, the T-AKE provides logistic lift to deliver cargo (ammunition, food, limited quantities of fuel, repair parts, ship store items, and expendable supplies and material) to U.S. and allied Navy ships at sea. In its secondary mission, the T-AKE may operate in concert with a Henry J. Kaiser-Class (T-AO 187) oiler as a substitute station ship to provide direct logistics support to the ships within a Carrier Battle Group.
NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous made the following statements:
"The NAACP commends the United States Navy for its tribute to the great civil rights leader and pioneer Medgar Evers and congratulates his widow and member of our Chairman Emeritus Myrlie Evers-Williams, Medgar Evers’ lifelong passion for civil and human rights and his selfless sacrifice for his country have inspired millions around the world. He is a shining exemplar of courage and dedication and a model for generations of civil rights activists, including myself. It is our hope that the naval troops that ride on this vessel will be inspired – as we are – by the noble life of Medgar Evers".
"Medgar Evers, a long time civil rights activist, was an NAACP Field Secretary in Mississippi where he led a boycott campaign against white merchants in the state, and was instrumental in eventually desegregating the University of Mississippi. Evers was assassinated in 1963."
Julian Bond, Chairman of the NAACP Board of Directors said: "Civil rights and race relations in this country were forever changed by Medgar Evers. His pioneering spirit, undying passion and profound personal sacrifice mirror that of our naval heroes/ His wife, Myrlie Evers-Williams continues her husband’s legacy in serving on the board of directors of the NAACP and was the first full-time chairman of the NAACP from 1995-1998."
Roslyn M. Brock, Vice Chairwoman of the NAACP Board of Directors stated: "The Navy has bestowed a great honor upon an American hero who exhibited courage and commitment 'not for self but for country' and community in the face of unparalleled danger in the struggle for equality, justice and freedom."
Reference:
Press Release:
http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=13036Ship Info Fact Sheet:
http://www.msc.navy.mil/factsheet/t-ake.htm
