JOHNSTOWN, Pa.,None — The U.S. Navy announced it will honor the legacy of the late U.S. Rep. John Murtha by naming a ship after him.
The future USS John P. Murtha will transport and land Marines, their equipment and supplies and will support amphibious assault, special operations or expeditionary warfare missions for a projected 30 years.
The announcement was made at John P. Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County airport in Johnstown.
"John Patrick Murtha served our country his entire adult life," said Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. "Both in uniform as a Marine and in the halls of Congress, he dedicated himself to the United States of America."
Murtha served 37 years in the Marines and fought in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He received the Bronze Star with Valor device, two Purple Hearts and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
Murtha represented Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District from 1974 until his death in 2010.
WPXI
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