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Ship's
Namesake

His legacy lives on

USS Zumwalt embodies the legacy of warfighting excellence and innovation of Adm. Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr., a veteran of World War II and the conflicts in Korea and Vietnam. He exemplified honor, courage and commitment during 32 years of dedicated naval service. Believing it was his job to "modernize and humanize" the Navy, Zumwalt chose to embrace change and to lead it from within.

As the nineteenth Chief of Naval Operations, Zumwalt faced similar challenges to those faced by today's Navy. He entered office with defense spending declining and an overextend fleet. He met these challenges head on by embracing innovations - both strategically and technologically - to ensure the Navy remained capable of meeting the Soviet threat. He advanced naval warfare while ensuring our Navy met mission requirements, acquired affordable equipment, and ensured lifecycle costs made it possible to man, train, equip, and maintain the force. Zumwalt's embrace of innovation resulted in a number of successful new programs, including the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine and the F-14 Tomcat, all of which had lasting impacts on the warfighting readiness of the Navy.

Perhaps most importantly, Adm. Zumwalt was a social reformer who recognized the primary force-multiplier of the U.S. Navy continued to be its Sailors, and as such began quality of life improvements throughout the Fleet, which included the institutionalization of equality for minorities and women. He was considered a "thinking officer" who was devoted to Sailors and creating an environment where everyone was treated equally - a legacy that can that can be seen today in the diversity of the fleet. His "one Navy" mentality reminds today's Sailors that taking care of our warfighters ensures the Navy remains tough, bold and ready.

To learn more about the namesake's U.S. Navy Legacy, visit Naval History and Heritage Command Learn More

USS Zumwalt DDG1000-1

Navy Launches First Zumwalt Class Destroyer

USS Zumwalt DDG1000-3

Elmo "Bud" Zumwalt Jr.

PCU Zumwalt Berthing

All Hands Update: Headlines for June 20, 2016

PCU Zumwalt Transits Channel

PCU Zumwalt Leaves The Pier

PCU Zumwalt Leaves The Pier

PCU Zumwalt Leaves The Pier

PCU Zumwalt Leaves The Pier

Voyage to San Diego Home port

USS Zumwalt

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BATH, Maine (Nov. 14, 2014) The future guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) completed the successful lift and integration of the deckhouse on to the ship’s hull at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works shipyard. Michael Monsoor will be the second ship of the DDG 1000 Zumwalt class, the U.S. Navy’s next generation destroyer. Deckhouse integration is a major milestone for the ship and the DDG 1000 program.   (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Bath Iron Works/Released)

USS Zumwalt

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KENNEBEC RIVER (Dec. 7, 2015) The future USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) is underway for the first time conducting at-sea tests and trials on the Kennebeck River. The multimission ship will provide independent forward presence and deterrence, support special operations forces, and operate as an integral part of joint and combined expeditionary forces. (U.S. Navy photo /Released)

USS Zumwalt

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BATH, Maine (Oct. 28, 2013) The Zumwalt-class guided-missile destroyer DDG 1000 is floated out of dry dock at the General Dynamics Bath Iron Works shipyard. The ship, the first of three Zumwalt-class destroyers, will provide independent forward presence and deterrence, support special operations forces and operate as part of joint and combined expeditionary forces. The lead ship and class are named in honor of former Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Elmo R.

USS Zumwalt

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BATH , Maine (Dec. 14, 2012) The 1,000-ton deckhouse of the future destroyer USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) is craned toward the deck of the ship to be integrated with the ship's hull at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works. The ship launch and christening are planned in 2013. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)

USS Zumwalt

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WASHINGTON (April 16, 2012) Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) the Honorable Ray Mabus announces the next Zumwalt-class destroyer will be named the USS Lyndon B. Johnson during a ceremony at the Pentagon. The selection of Lyndon B. Johnson, designated DDG 1002, continues the Navy tradition of naming ships after presidents and honors the nation's 36th president. The ship's sponsors, Linda Byrd and Luci Baines Johnson, daughters of the former president were present during the unveiling. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sam Shavers/Released)

USS Zumwalt

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An artist rendering of the Zumwalt class destroyer DDG 1000, a new class of multi-mission U.S. Navy surface combatant ship designed to operate as part of a joint maritime fleet, assisting Marine strike forces ashore as well as performing littoral, air and sub-surface warfare. (U.S. Navy photo illustration/Released)

USS Zumwalt

USS Zumwalt's Successful Sea Trial

USS Zumwalt

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ATLANTIC OCEAN (Dec. 7, 2015)  The future USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) is underway for the first time conducting at-sea tests and trials in the Atlantic Ocean Dec. 7, 2015. The multimission ship will provide independent forward presence and deterrence, support special operations forces, and operate as an integral part of joint and combined expeditionary forces.  (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of General Dynamics Bath Iron Works/Released)

USS Zumwalt

USS Zumwalt

USS Zumwalt

Throwback, Bath Iron Works building Zumwalt in shipyard.

USS Zumwalt

USS Zumwalt's arrival at Norfolk for testing and evaluation before commissioning.

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USS Zumwalt Sailing

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Zumwalt Sailors setting up hotel services.

USS Zumwalt

Uss Zumwalt saiing under the Pell Bridge.

USS Zumwalt

Zumwalt Sailors on watch in Newport

USS Zumwalt Newport

USS Zumwalt starts voyage to San Diego home port

USS Zumwalt home port

USS Zumwalt being prepared for the launch day

Prepared for launch day

Reluctantly Following in His Father's Footsteps

All Hands Update: Zumwalt Completes Sea Trials

PCU Zumwalt Leaves The Pier