The Navy’s Newest Warship Is Already Flying a Fresh Battle Flag at Sea

The future USS John Basilone may not have officially joined the Navy’s surface fleet just yet, but the warship is apparently already flying a brand-new battle flag as a tribute to its decorated Marine namesake.

In photos published to social media on Friday, the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer is shown sailing down the Kennebec River from the General Dynamics Bath Iron Works shipyard in Bath, Maine, with what appears to be a fresh battle ensign flapping in the wind ahead of its commissioning in New York City next week.

The Basilone is named for the legendary Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone, who received both the Medal of Honor for his "extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry" during the Guadalcanal campaign and a posthumous Navy Cross for his valor during the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II -- the only enlisted Marine to receive both decorations during the conflict.

The ship is the second named for Basilone, following the Gearing-class destroyer that was decommissioned in 1977.