| Mustin: A
Naval Family of the Twentieth Century, by John Fass Morton The story behind the name of the Navy's newest Aegis destroyer (DDG-89), being commissioned 26 July 2003. (7-16-03) A book for sale at the Naval Institute Webstore. And, the USS Mustin (DDG-89) five years later off Iwo Jima. From: HMustin Date: 1 Mar 2005 Subject: Re: For History Buffs Only To: jerrkowa, usna55 Re the Battle of Vera Cruz My grandfather, LCDR Henry C. Mustin USNA 1895, was in command of the Aviation Unit. This was the first time that any US aviator of any service was exposed to ground fire. My great grandfather, ADM Thomas B. Howard, USNA 1873, was CINCPACFLT. My great uncle, MG George Barnett USMC, was Commandant of the Marine Corps. In a detailed summary of the battle, sent to me some years ago by the Historian of the Marine Corps, the only one of those three mentioned was General Barnett. GO NAVY! Hank Mustin |
Date: Sat, 15 Dec 2001 Subject: "Christening of Destroyer Mustin to Honor Famous Navy Family with Long Ties to San Diego" From: "Robert O. Price" To: "USNA class of '55" I am sending the attached article in today's "San Diego Union-Tribune".... Re: our classmate Hank Mustin and his Navy family from back to the War of 1812. Bob Price |
Famed Navy family's name to grace destroyer By Mark Sauer December 15, 2001
So Lloyd Montague Mustin , who died in Coronado in 1999, was naturally determined to make his own contributions to his family's illustrious naval legacy, as his father did before him and his two sons did later. Now the famous Navy family with long ties to San Diego is having a destroyer named in its honor. The Mustin will be christened today at a shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss., and will be home-ported in San Diego beginning in 2003. The ship is named for three generations of Mustin naval officers: Capt. Henry C. Mustin (1874-1923), Vice Adm. Lloyd M. Mustin (1911-99) and his sons, retired Vice Adm. Henry C. "Hank" Mustin and former Lt. Cmdr. Thomas M. Mustin. "This is the most wonderful thing that ever happened to our family," said Thomas Mustin, who was decorated after combat missions on river-patrol boats in Vietnam. Thomas Mustin, who left the Navy to pursue a legal career with a Los Angeles law firm, will be joined at the christening by his older brother, Hank, a highly decorated former destroyer commander and weapons expert, and their sister, Douglas Mustin St. Denis of Coronado. Jean Phillips Mustin, Thomas' wife, and Lucy Holcomb Mustin, Hank's wife, will also take part in the traditional smashing of champagne bottles. "Our grandfather (Capt. Henry Mustin) was a pretty amazing guy," Thomas said. He earned 12 varsity letters at the Naval Academy (class of 1896); earned a commendation for distinguished service in the capture of Vigan, Philippines, in 1899; flew the first aircraft catapulted from a ship; and was the first commander of a naval air squadron. Henry's son, Lloyd Mustin, was an All-American swimmer at the Naval Academy who put his master's thesis from Massachusetts Institute of Technology to good use by inventing in 1940 a revolutionary gun sight, which was used to great effect against Japanese aircraft in World War II. Lloyd Mustin saw service in every major World War II naval battle in the Pacific. When his ship, the Augusta, was sunk at the Battle of Guadalcanal, he spent the next three months in fierce fighting with the 1st Marine Division. Thomas Mustin said his brother, who graduated from the Naval Academy in 1955, also served in Vietnam with the Delta River Patrol Group before commanding ships and going on to serve in top Navy posts around the world. Hank Mustin was noted for several important tactical-warfare innovations, especially during his time as a senior NATO commander in the mid-1980s. The Mustin is among dozens of Arleigh Burke-class Aegis missile destroyers. The ship will carry surface-to-air missiles, Tomahawk cruise missiles, the radar-controlled Phalanx close-in weapons system, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, torpedo launchers, a 5-inch gun and state-of-the-art electronic warfare systems. The 510-foot, 9,300-ton vessel, built by Northrop Grumman Corp ., will be operated by a crew of 383 sailors and officers. With a top cruising speed above 30 knots, the destroyer is designed to handle a variety of missions, from "peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection . . . and operate with battle groups in high-threat environments," according to the Navy. The new ship is not the first Mustin, however. The original destroyer , named for Capt. Henry C. Mustin, who died in 1923 of heart disease at age 49, earned 13 battle stars in World War II and was retired from service in 1946. Also on hand at today's christening will be Anne Howard Thomas of Point Loma, widow of Capt. Donald I. Thomas, who once commanded the Naval Training Center in San Diego. Mrs. Thomas was maid of honor at the christening of the original Mustin in 1938. |
| From: "Nay" To: "'USNA class of '55'" Subject: RE: "Christening of Destroyer Mustin to Honor Famous Navy Family with Long Ties to San Diego" Date: Sun, 16 Dec 2001 Congratulations Hank. I'm so very proud to be your classmate. Jerry |
| Date: Sun, 16 Dec 2001 From: Norman Palladino To: "USNA class of '55" Subject: Re: "Christening of Destroyer Mustin ..." I will be surprised if we don't see more responses to this message. I plan to collect what I can find about this subject and put together some Web pages. My first find is below and is from the official USN Web site. I welcome any pictures or stories to add to the Web pages on DDG 89. Norm |
---------------------------------------------------------------- The United States Navy on the World Wide Web A service of the Navy Office of Information, Washington DC send feedback/questions to comments@chinfo.navy.mil The United States Navy web site is found on the Internet at http://www.navy.mil ---------------------------------------------------------------- NAVY TO CHRISTEN GUIDED MISSILE DESTROYER MUSTIN The Department of the Navy will christen the Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer Mustin (DDG 89) on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2001 during a 10 a.m. ceremony at Northrop Grumman Ship Systems Ingalls Operations in Pascagoula, Miss. Mustin (DDG 89) will honor one of the nation's most prestigious naval families who have recorded a rich and honorable tradition of naval service. The Mustin family tradition is marked by officers who were extraordinarily creative innovators. The Mustins' legacy to the Navy service lasted from 1896 until 1989; nearly one century of naval history. Capt. Henry C. Mustin, U.S. Navy, (1874-1923), a 1896 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, earned a commendation for distinguished service in the capture of Vigan, Philippines, in 1899; flew the first aircraft ever catapulted from a ship; flew the first operational missions of naval aircraft during the Veracruz operation in 1914; and was the first commander of Aircraft Squadrons, Battle Fleet. His son, Vice Adm. Lloyd M. Mustin, (1911-1999), a 1932 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, took part in developing the Navy's first lead-computing anti-aircraft gun sight, which proved of major importance in the air-sea actions of World War II, and served on the cruiser USS Atlanta (CL 51) during the naval battle of Guadalcanal. His ship was lost during that action; and with other survivors he landed on Guadalcanal and served ashore with a naval unit attached to the First Marine Division. His post war service included commands at sea and development and evaluation of weapon systems. He later served as director of operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The destroyer Mustin (DD 413) (1939-1946), named in Capt. Henry C. Mustin's honor, earned thirteen battle stars for World War II service that included the battles of Santa Cruz and Guadalcanal and major amphibious operations in the Pacific. This name has received significant support from veterans of that ship. Vice Adm. Mustin's two sons, retired Navy Vice Adm. Henry C. Mustin, and Lt. Cmdr. Thomas M. Mustin have continued their family's legacy of service. Vice Adm. Mustin, a 1955 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, is a decorated Vietnam veteran who served in the 1980s as the Naval Inspector General; Commander, Second Fleet and deputy chief of Naval Operations for Plans and Policy. Lt. Cmdr. Mustin, also a Naval Academy graduate (1962) earned a Bronze Star during the Vietnam conflict for river patrol combat action. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Lucy Holcomb Mustin, wife of ship's namesake Vice Adm. Henry C. Mustin, USN, (ret); Jean Phillips Mustin, wife of ship's namesake Mr. Thomas Mustin, former Lt. Cmdr.; and Douglas Mustin St. Denis, sister of Vice Adm. and Mr. Mustin, will serve as ship's sponsors. Anne Howard Thomas, who served as Matron of Honor for the first ship named Mustin in 1938, will also serve these sponsors as Matron of Honor. In the time-honored Navy tradition, the sponsors will break bottles of champagne across the bow to formally name the ship Mustin. Mustin is the 39th of 58 Arleigh Burke class destroyers currently authorized by Congress, and the 18th Aegis destroyer to be built by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems Ingalls Operations in Pascagoula, Miss. Arleigh Burke class destroyers are the most capable surface warships ever built. Truly multi-mission combatants, these ships can conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection, in support of the National Military Strategy. Equipped with the latest weapons, electronics, helicopter support facilities, and propulsion, auxiliary and survivability systems, DDG 51 destroyers will carry out the Navy's missions well into the 21st century. State-of-the-art command, control, communications, computers and intelligence systems provide their ships' crew with complete situational awareness. Mustin is also equipped with the Navy's modern Aegis weapon system, the world's foremost naval weapon system. Space-age communications, radar and weapons technologies are combined in a single platform for unlimited mission flexibility. The systems include the AN/SPY-1D phased array radar; the MK 41 Vertical Launching System, which fires Standard surface-to-air and Tomahawk surface-to surface missiles; and the AN/SQQ-89 Antisubmarine Warfare System, with a bow mounted AN/SQS-53C sonar. In addition, Mustin has six MK 46 torpedo tubes, as well as a multi-mission 5"/62 caliber deck-mounted gun which can be used as an anti-ship weapon, close-in point defense or in support of forces ashore with naval gunfire. The ship's aircraft handling and support facilities include dual aircraft hangars (port and starboard), a dual Recovery Assist, Securing and Traversing System, and associated machinery systems providing significant enhanced helicopter launch and recovery, command and control and maintenance/repair capabilities. The ship also features the over-the-horizon LAMPS MK III Antisubmarine Warfare Control System, and will be assigned two SH-60B Seahawk Undersea Warfare helicopters. Navy Cmdr. Ann Phillips of Annapolis, Md., is the prospective commanding officer of Mustin with a crew of approximately 380 officers, chiefs and enlisted personnel. Upon commissioning in the year 2003, the ship will be homeported in San Diego, Calif., as a member of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Mustin is 509.5 feet in length, has an overall beam of 66.5 feet, and draws 31.9 feet. Four gas-turbine engines power the 9,300 ton ship to speeds in excess of 30 knots. For more information on Arleigh Burke class destroyers, visit www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/factfile/ships/ship-dd.html -USN- |
| From: Denny Sullivan Date: Mon, 17 Dec 2001 Subject: Re: "Christening of Destroyer Mustin ... To: np55 Norm, We will hear more. A number of classmates went down from here. The ship will be commissioned next year in SD and I expect Hank to invite classmates. Will keep you informed. And thanks for all the good work. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas. Regards, Denny |
| From March 2002
Shipmate: My wife and I had the pleasure of attending the christening
ceremony for MUSTIN (DDG-89) at Northrup Grumman Ship Systems (Ingalls
Shipyard), Pascagoula, MS, on 15 December. The ARLEIGH BURKE class
Aegis guided missile destroyer is named after four Mustins—our esteemed
Classmate, Henry C. "Hank" Mustin, his brother LCDR Thomas Mustin ’62,
VADM Lloyd Mustin ’32, their father, and CAPT Henry C. Mustin 1896,
their grandfather. Quite a tradition of naval service! Hank’s wife,
Lucy, was one of the ship’s sponsors (her second time, which is some
kind of record). Remarks by both Hank and Lucy were sensational.
Besides ourselves, Classmates joining the entire Mustin clan, were:
Peggy and Hugh Webster from San Diego, CA, Debbie and John Adams from
Alexandria, VA, and Tom Emery from
Charlottesville, VA. We had the opportunity collectively to enjoy the
sights and sounds of New Orleans for a few days prior to the event. We
all became well versed in the definition of Cajun and Creole! Webbie
was
last seen trying to find the Streetcar Named Desire from ’55 Sugar Bowl
days. Tom Kiefaber |
|
This from the January/February '03 Issue of Shipmate '55 Class Notes:
May 15, 2003 Classmates receive invitation to commissioning of USS Mustin (DDG 89) June 8, 2003 Steve Kaiser took 8 photos of the USS Mustin while visiting Pensacola on the way to San diego for the official commissioning. View these 8 photos on this page. |
The following is excerpted from the official USN site for the USS MUSTIN (DDG 89).  SYMBOLISM SHIELD: Dark blue and gold are the colors traditionally used by the Navy and represent the sea and excellence. The enflamed delta symbolizes the diverse missile capabilities of the destroyer and the advent of the Tomahawk weapons system aboard surface combatants spearheaded by VADM Henry C. Mustin. The five points of flame represent the five wars where Mustin family members fought. The triple-barreled battleship gun turret highlights VADM Lloyd M. Mustin's (1911-1999) renowned gunnery expertise throughout his career; his remarkable experiences during the naval battle of Guadalcanal aboard the cruiser ATLANTA; and, after her sinking, service with the First Marine Division on Guadalcanal. The barrels of the gun turret also reflect the three generations of the Mustin Family who faced combat under fire. The red annulet denotes unity, courage and valor. The polestar honors VADM Henry C. Mustin, a decorated Vietnam veteran, who became the commander of NATO's largest fleet and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations during the 1980's. The combination of the annulet and polestar symbolizes the early gunsight developed by CAPT Henry C. Mustin (1874-1923) and the prototype lead computing antiaircraft gunsight developed by VADM Lloyd M. Mustin, a key to the United States' success in antiaircraft action in the Pacific during World War II. The four stars commemorate Bronze Stars awarded to the Mustin Family for service in Vietnam - three for VADM Henry C. Mustin, and one for LCDR Thomas M. Mustin, Officer in Charge of Patrol Boat River Section 511, Mekong Delta; combined with the polestar in a "V-shape" they symbolize the Combat "V" accompanying each of these awards. CREST: The palm fronds represent achievement and victory in the Pacific Theater; principal service area of the Mustin Family, of USS MUSTIN (DD 413), and homeport to USS MUSTIN (DDG 89). The thirteen stars commemorate the thirteen Battle Stars on the Asiatic-Pacific Area Service Ribbon earned by USS MUSTIN (DD 413) for her contributions to major operations in the Pacific throughout World War II. The dolphins denote search and rescue, and symbolize the USS MUSTIN's valiant rescue efforts during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, where she recovered 337 survivors from USS HORNET (CV 8) as they abandoned ship. They further represent CAPT Henry C. Mustin's receipt of a Gold Lifesaving Medal in 1918, for his swimming rescue of a Sailor washed overboard during a storm off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. The Surface Warfare Officer device reflects the sea service of the Mustin Family and the Surface Warfare excellence of the two destroyers. SUPPORTERS: The Naval Aviator "Wings of Gold" device honors Captain Henry C. Mustin, designated Naval Aviator Number Eleven, instrumental in the design of these wings. Captain Mustin was the principal architect of the catapult launch concept; made the first catapult launch of an aircraft from a ship underway; and at Veracruz in 1914, commanded the first United States military aviation unit ever to fly against hostile fire. The four crossed Naval Officer's swords symbolize the commissioned service of each of the Mustins honored in the naming and commissioning of USS MUSTIN (DDG 89). This official site has information on the history, commanding officer (a female), other key personnel, ship specifications, and reporting information. |
| Article
in October 2003Shipmate
on USS
Mustin Commissioning: "Second MUSTIN Destroyer Brought to Life". |
| Other worthy websites on Mustin family members history and ships:
|
| From: "Steve Kaiser" To: "Norman Palladino" Subject: Re: "Christening of Destroyer Mustin ..." Date: Mon, 17 Dec 2001 Norm-----The only contribution I can make to your web page project is the this photo of Capt. Henry C. Mustin.....it hangs in the lobby near the main entrance to the NAS Pensacola Mustin Beach Officer's Club. The Club is named in his honor. Below is quote from archives of class web page . Never did learn where the name "Rum" came from. Hope you can use some of this. Steve Kaiser "This beautiful building, overlooking Pensacola Bay, was constructed in 1937 and is named after Captain Henry C. "Rum" Mustin, Naval Aviator #11 and the first Commanding Officer of NASP. The Club consists of a dining room with seating capacity of 200, a ballroom which seats 500, the Ready Room Lounge, three private party rooms, a large lobby, a quarter-deck overlooking the bay and a gazebo on the beach for cookouts and beach parties." We are waiting for Hank Mustin to enlighten us on how his.... grandfather....got that nickname of "Rum". |
