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NAVY WIRE SERVICE (NWS) - October 25, 1999 NWS25oct-3. Secretary of the Navy assigns new ship name by the Office of the Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) WASHINGTON (NWS) -- Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig has announced his decision to name the 39th ship of the Arleigh Burke class of guided missile destroyers, "Mustin." Mustin (DDG 89) will honor the Mustin family, which has recorded a rich and honorable tradition of naval service. This 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 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 Atlantic (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 Crux and Guadalcanal and major amphibious operations in the Pacific. 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 1980's 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. Aegis destroyers are equipped to conduct a variety of missions, from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection, in support of national military strategy. They operate with battle groups in high- threat environments and provide essential escort capabilities to Navy and Marine Corps amphibious forces, combat logistics ships and convoys. These multi-mission ships are equipped with the Navy's modern Aegis combat weapons system, which combines space-age communication, radar and weapons technologies in a single platform for unlimited flexibility while operating "Forward...From the Sea." These destroyers replace older, less capable ships that are being taken out of service as the Navy reduces spending while maintaining quality as part of its overall plan to recapitalize the fleet. The ship will carry Standard surface-to-air missiles and Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from forward and aft vertical launching systems; two fully automated, radar- controlled Phalanx close-in weapons systems; Harpoon anti- ship missiles; two torpedo launchers; one five-inch gun; and electronic warfare systems. -USN-