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Second MUSTIN Destroyer Brought to Life

Navy Commissions Newest Arleigh Burke Destroyer—
Named After Four Members of Legendary Navy Family

By Taylor Baldwin Kiland

“Our Navy names ships after leaders and heroes, and the Mustin family is chock full of them.” So Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Vern Clark greeted more than 7,000 guests in an unusual nighttime commissioning ceremony for Mustin (DDG-89) in Coronado, CA, on 26 July. With more than a century of service—plus four generations of USNA graduates, the Mustin family’s distinguished Navy careers were collectively celebrated by the Navy that night. With the commissioning of the Navy’s 39th Arleigh Burke destroyer, our sea service had reasons to celebrate, too.

LCDR Pete Galluch ’90, XO, Mustin (DDG-89), and LCDR John Mustin ’90, were joined by fellow ’90 Classmates at the 26 July commissioning of Mustin in Coronado, CA. In addition to Pete and John, Classmates pictured are, l to r: Aaron Johnson ’90, Tim Callahan ’90, Mike Polidoro ’90, Frank Allen ’90, Tom Arbaugh ’90, Ralph Stuart ’90, Ray Sevidal ’90, Joe Darlak ’90, Kevin McGoff ’90, and Jay Butka ’90. Also in attendance but not pictured was Will Randall ’90. The Navy’s newest Arleigh Burke-class destroyer was named in honor of four of John Mustin’s family members, including his great-grandfather, grandfather, father, and uncle
LCDR Pete Galluch ’90, XO, Mustin (DDG-89), and LCDR John Mustin ’90, were joined by fellow ’90 Classmates at the 26 July commissioning of Mustin in Coronado, CA. In addition to Pete and John, Classmates pictured are, l to r: Aaron Johnson ’90, Tim Callahan ’90, Mike Polidoro ’90, Frank Allen ’90, Tom Arbaugh ’90, Ralph Stuart ’90, Ray Sevidal ’90, Joe Darlak ’90, Kevin McGoff ’90, and Jay Butka ’90. Also in attendance but not pictured was Will Randall ’90. The Navy’s newest Arleigh Burke-class destroyer was named in honor of four of John Mustin’s family members, including his great-grandfather, grandfather, father, and uncle

Backlit by the nighttime San Diego skyline, the ship’s three sponsors—Jean Phillips Mustin, Lucy Holcomb Mustin, and Douglas Mustin St. Denis—ceremoniously brought the ship to life, setting off a flurry of activity as the crew ran aboard amid a cacaphony of bells and whistles and a virtual fireworks of spotlights. The choreography and pageantry were spectacular and emphasized by the dark of night.

The ship’s three sponsors are the living namesakes’ wives and sister, respectively. Lucy Mustin is one of a small handful of ladies who have had the honor of sponsoring two ships.

“Tonight, the Navy gains the most technically advanced ship in the world,” Admiral Clark pronounced. “This ship is the embodiment of credible, competent, combat power. …For when we commit our sons and daughters and send them into harm’s way, we’re not looking for an even fight.”

VADM Hank Mustin ’55 is greeted warmly by classmates at the commissioning of the Navy’s newest Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, Mustin (DDG-89), named after Hank, his brother Tom Mustin ’62, his father VADM Lloyd Mustin ’32, and his grandfather CAPT Henry C. Mustin 1896. Mustin came alive in a spectacular nighttime commissioning on 26 July in Coronado, CA 
VADM Hank Mustin ’55 is greeted warmly by classmates at the commissioning of the Navy’s newest Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, Mustin (DDG-89), named after Hank, his brother Tom Mustin ’62, his father VADM Lloyd Mustin ’32, and his grandfather CAPT Henry C. Mustin 1896. Mustin came alive in a spectacular nighttime commissioning on 26 July in Coronado, CA 

Current and future generations of Mustin family members have a legacy of heroism and service to emulate. So, too, does the new Mustin. The first Mustin (DD-413) was named in honor of the first in the family legacy and earned 13 battle stars during World War II. Named for Captain Henry C. Mustin 1896, naval aviator #11 and sometimes referred to as the “father of naval aviation,” this warship fought in every major operation in the Pacific theater, including the Battle of Savo and Guadalcanal. She was decommissioned in August 1946.

Now, 57 years later, the Navy has taken the uncommon step of naming a second ship after a family—two of whose namesakes are still alive. A total of four family members were honored: the late Captain Henry C. Mustin 1896 and his son, the late Vice Admiral Lloyd M. Mustin ’32—as well as the very much alive Vice Admiral Henry C. Mustin ’55, and his brother, Tom Mustin ’62.

Hank Mustin asked a staff officer, when notified of the Secretary of the Navy’s naming decision, “Usually, ships are named for dead people. Does the Secretary require any action on my part?” The answer: “I’ll get back to you.” 

CDR Ann Phillips, CO of Mustin (DDG-89), is joined by ship namesakes Tom Mustin ’62 and VADM Hank Mustin ’55 after the nighttime commissioning ceremony held in Coronado, CA, on 26 July
CDR Ann Phillips, CO of Mustin (DDG-89), is joined by ship namesakes Tom Mustin ’62 and VADM Hank Mustin ’55 after the nighttime commissioning ceremony held in Coronado, CA, on 26 July

Three additional family members still wear the Navy uniform: Commander Lloyd Mustin, his brother, Lieutenant Commander John Mustin ’90, and Lloyd’s wife, Commander Tracy Mustin. All three served on active duty and continue to serve in the Naval Reserve. In fact, Mustins have served their country in every major conflict of the 20th century.

Mustin’s crew boasts a total of 11 USNA grads, including Mustin’s XO, Lieutenant Commander Pete Galluch ’90, a Classmate of family member John Mustin ’90. Also currently serving aboard are: Lieutenant Jerry Myers ’94, Lieutenant Matt Jerbi ’95, Lieutenant George Kessler ’95, Lieutenant Alan Johnson ’97, Lieutenant Jeffrey Chesnut ’99, Lieutenant Zachary Ellis ’99, Lieutenant Chris Burns ’00, Lieutenant Junior Grade Randall Trigg Bowlin ’00, Ensign Justin Burney ’03, and Ensign Salvatore Pascarelli ’03. In honor of the ship’s hull number, the Class of 1989 donated personalized commissioning plaques for the entire crew.

The physical and technological contrasts between the first and second Mustin destroyers are stark. Mustin (DD-413) was 348 feet in length, displaced 1,500 tons and carried three 5-inch 38-calibre guns and 12 torpedo tubes. By comparison, Mustin (DDG-89) is 510 feet in length and displaces 9,200 tons. Its advanced weapons systems give it unlimited flexibility and communications while operating in the most demanding threat environment. As Hank Mustin puts it, “When I was an ensign, we could only reach ashore and touch somebody to the range of our guns—which was maybe five or six miles. Now with the Tomahawk missile, it’s 1,000 miles. Similarly, when we shot at air targets, we put up a barrage of gunfire and hoped that the target would fly into it at short range. Now, with the Aegis system, the Navy shoots missiles that go out after the targets for 40 miles or more, and can send combat air patrol aircraft out for hundreds of miles.”

Former trustee VADM Ed Martin ’54 joined Mustin (DDG-89) namesakes Tom Mustin ’62 and VADM Hank Mustin ’55 in celebrating the ship’s commissioning held in Coronado, CA, on 26 July
Former trustee VADM Ed Martin ’54 joined Mustin (DDG-89) namesakes Tom Mustin ’62 and VADM Hank Mustin ’55 in celebrating the ship’s commissioning held in Coronado, CA, on 26 July

One of the few who has stepped aboard both Mustins is Joe Armenta, a former sonarman, who set the watch at the commissioning ceremony and served as the official representative of the 20-25 remaining crewmembers from the first Mustin. “It was unbelievable to see the new Mustin,” Armenta said. “It is five times the size of ours. Our CIC was a small cubicle that held ten of us standing up. You should see the new CIC.” But what was really emotional for Armenta was meeting the family members. “I met Hank and Tom at the ship’s christening and they were terrific. …You know, as a young crewmember, you always see these ships and the names and they don’t mean that much, because you don’t know the people.” 

With living namesakes, the connections are personal. “I’ve never been on a ship where the commanding officer made such an effort to incorporate the history of the namesakes into the every day workings and life of the ship,” said Hank Mustin. “Ann Phillips, the CO, has really gone to great lengths with family pictures and she has both my father’s and my three-star flag as well as lots of other family memorabilia…We saw an article in the San Diego Union-Tribune where a boatswain’s mate was describing all the heraldry associated with the ship’s crest. That’s all due to Ann Phillips and is just one example of her superb leadership and attention to detail.” 

“It is significant, rare, and a great honor to be able to commission a ship with living namesakes,” says Mustin CO Commander Ann Phillips. “The crew very much appreciates the opportunity to meet and talk to the Mustin family, especially Vice Admiral Hank Mustin and his brother, and former Lieutenant Commander, Tom Mustin, at every opportunity; our crew is very proud to show them Mustin, and let them know we take their family legacy seriously. Knowing the Mustin family’s incredibly rich heritage and major contributions to today’s Navy gives the crew added depth of understanding of our place in history, and of the terrific responsibility to carry on the Mustin legacy.”

Having living namesakes means that the ship and her crew can call on more than memory, history books, and folklore for inspiration. By meeting the family and shaking hands with the legacy, each crewmember gets a piece of it.

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