The U.S. Navy is set to christen the future USS William Charette (DDG 130), an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. The ship honors Master Chief Hospital Corpsman William Richard Charette, a Korean War veteran and Medal of Honor recipient.
Charette earned his Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism on March 27, 1953, during a fierce battle for Outpost Vegas. While serving with a Marine rifle company, he repeatedly exposed himself to heavy enemy fire to aid wounded Marines. In one instance, he shielded a casualty from an enemy grenade blast, sustaining injuries himself, yet continued to treat others using his uniform as bandages after losing his medical kit.
Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao will deliver the principal address. Cao said the warship "will be a cornerstone of America's new Golden Fleet" and will carry "the legacy of Master Chief Petty Officer William Charette, whose heroic actions represent the very best of our naval service." He added that Charette's "spirit of self-sacrifice is now permanently woven into the steel of this warship."
Additional speakers include Maine Governor Janet Mills, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, and Michael Charette, son of the ship's namesake. In a time-honored tradition, Kathryn Charette Donovan, daughter of the namesake, will christen the ship.
Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are vital to the U.S. Navy's surface fleet, providing global protection and conducting diverse operations from peacetime presence to national security. These multi-mission ships offer extensive warfighting capabilities across air, surface, and subsurface domains, enabling the Navy to defend American prosperity and prevent future conflicts. The christening of DDG 130 reinforces the Navy's dedication to building America's Golden Fleet, projecting strength globally 24/7.