The Jack H. Lucas, the newest, most advanced Burke-class destroyer, became part of the Navy Tuesday and will operate out of San Diego, where it will help replace aging Cold War-era cruisers.
Mississippi-based shipbuilder Ingalls delivered Lucas to the Navy following a week of sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico. The $2.4 billion ship is expected to arrive at Naval Base San Diego later this year.
Lucas is the first variant III version of the Burke-destroyer, a ship that's known as the backbone of the Navy because of its power and versatility. It can strike targets 1,000 miles away with Tomahawk cruise missiles.
The Navy says the Lucas is equipped with a sophisticated new air and missile defense radar system that will help the 509-foot ship protect aircraft carrier and amphibious assault groups. Three of the Navy's 11 carriers operate out of San Diego. The city also is currently home to 16 Burke destroyers.
The Lucas is named after Jacklyn Harold 'Jack' Lucas, who served both as a U.S. Marine and an Army Airborne officer. President Harry S. Truman awarded him the Medal of Honor in 1945 for his heroics during the battle of Iwo Jima in World War II.
The Marines say Lucas threw himself on one grenade and placed another under his body to shield fellow Marines during combat. One of the grenades exploded, nearly killing him. Lucas died of leukemia in 2008. He was 80.
This story originally appeared in San Diego Union-Tribune.
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