Banks Asks Navy to Consider Naming Ship U.S.S. Fort Wayne

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Jim Banks (IN-03), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, sent a letter to Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer asking the Navy to consider naming a ship the U.S.S. Fort Wayne.

“The greater Fort Wayne area produces many key naval capabilities, and several national security leaders hail from northeast Indiana,” said Banks. “In honor of northeast Indiana’s national security contributions, I’ve asked the Navy to consider naming a combat ship the U.S.S. Fort Wayne.”

The full text of the Congressman’s letter is below and attached.

 

November 29, 2018

 

The Honorable Richard V. Spencer

Secretary of the Navy

1000 Navy Pentagon

Washington, DC 20350

 

Dear Secretary Spencer,

 

I respectfully request your consideration in naming a Littoral Combat Ship the U.S.S. Fort Wayne, in honor of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Fort Wayne satisfies the small towns, communities, and mid-size cities naming requirements of the Littoral Combat Ships, with population of 265,904 in the 2017 Census. One-hundred years have passed since the previous U.S.S. Fort Wayne was commissioned in 1918 and decommissioned in 1919.

The city of Fort Wayne is named in honor of General Anthony Wayne, a Revolutionary War leader, appointee of President Washington to command the U.S. Army from 1792-1796, and key negotiator of the Treaty of Greenville to usher Ohio into statehood. Fort Wayne represents the American spirit and embodies the multi-ethnic blend of Native American, German, Irish, and Burmese cultural traditions.

Fort Wayne is also the home of several key national security leaders. Vice President Dan Quayle and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats represented Fort Wayne in Indiana’s 4^th congressional district from 1977-1981 and 1981-1989, respectively. James Clapper, former Director of National Intelligence, U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, was also born in Fort Wayne.

The greater Fort Wayne area is also known for producing key naval capabilities. Navy anti-submarine warfare enabling capabilities, such as sonobuoys, are produced in the greater Fort Wayne area and employ hundreds of Hoosiers. The U.S.S. Indiana BB-58 ship’s anchor is also displayed in Fort Wayne to honor her World War II Pacific Theater accomplishments.

A Navy vessel the bearing the name U.S.S. Fort Wayne would convey the American ideals of freedom and patriotism to honor those serving in the U.S. military. Thank you for your consideration on this matter.

 

Sincerely,

 

JIM BANKS
Member of Congress