Del Toro made the announcement on the Metlakatla’s Founders Day, Aug. 7.
The identify collection of USNS Solomon Atkinson (T-ATS 12) follows the custom of naming towing, salvage, and rescue ships after outstanding Native Individuals or Native American tribes.
“I’m honored to call the subsequent T-ATS after Solomon Atkinson, a person who achieved many firsts, even within the face of adversity, and continued to steer,” stated Del Toro. “Atkinson’s achievements as a SEAL have left behind a permanent legacy, not simply within the Particular Warfare Group, however with our nation’s astronauts as effectively. I’m happy to make sure that his identify will prolong globally to all who views this nice ship.”
Born in 1930 in Metlakatla, Alaska, Solomon Atkinson was raised by his mother and father on the only Indian Reserve in Alaska. Atkinson labored as a business fisherman earlier than enlisting within the U.S. Navy in 1952. A yr later, Atkinson volunteered for the underwater demolition groups and have become a frogman, the precursor to current day SEALs. In 1962, Atkinson turned one of many first Navy SEALs and was a plank proprietor for SEAL Crew 1. As a SEAL, he deployed to Korea and accomplished three fight excursions in Vietnam. His Vietnam service-related awards embrace a Bronze Star, a Navy Commendation Medal with Fight “V,” and a Purple Coronary heart. Atkinson additionally had the excellence of coaching quite a few astronauts, together with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, in underwater weightless simulations on the Underwater Swimmers Faculty in Key West, Florida. Atkinson retired from energetic naval service in 1973 as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 and returned to Metlakatla, the place he continued to serve his folks and state on the Indian Group Council and Board of Training, as founder and president of the primary veterans’ group on Annette Island, and as mayor of Metlakatla. Upon his passing in 2019, an honor guard from SEAL Crew 1 served as pallbearers at his funeral.
“Chief Warrant Officer 4 Solomon “Sol” Atkinson embodied the spirit of dedication to household, group, and nation,” stated Rear Adm. Keith Davids, commander, Naval Particular Warfare Command. “His pioneering position as one of many first U.S. Navy SEALs, and his unwavering dedication to service each out and in of uniform, serves as an inspiration for all the Naval Particular Warfare group. Naming the USNS Solomon Atkinson in his honor is a testomony to his outstanding legacy and the enduring influence he has left on NSW, the Navy, and the nation.”
Together with the ship’s identify, Del Toro introduced the sponsors for the longer term USNS Solomon Atkinson as his widow, Joann Atkinson and their two daughters, Michele Gunyah and Maria Hayward, who, of their position, will signify a lifelong relationship with the ship and crew.
“There exists a long-held Tsimshian custom, ‘akadi lip a’algyaga sm’ooygit,’ loosely translated ‘a chief by no means speaks for himself’,” stated sponsor, Maria Hayward. “By means of all of his time as a U.S. Navy UDT and SEAL, in addition to a frontrunner of veterans and Native Alaskans, Sol lived this ethos. And, right here in the present day, within the shadow of Sol’s demise, he holds to it nonetheless. Thanks to the U.S. Navy for talking to Solomon’s honor and serving to his household and fellow Frogmen shout his legacy to the seven seas!”
Navajo-class ships will present ocean-going tug, salvage, and rescue capabilities to help Fleet operations. The present capabilities are offered by Powhatan-class T-ATF Fleet Tugs and Safeguard-class T-ARS Rescue and Salvage vessels, which started reaching the top of their anticipated service lives in 2020. Navajo-class ships will probably be able to towing U.S. Navy ships and can have 6,000 sq. ft of deck area for embarked programs.
Extra data on our towing, salvage, and rescue ship applications may be discovered on-line:
https://www.navy.mil/Sources/Reality-Information/Show-FactFiles/Article/2232242/fleet-ocean-tugs-t-ats/
