U.S.S. Jack H. Lucas leaves Ingalls Shipyard for homeport

The first Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, the U.S.S. Jack H. Lucas, left Ingalls Shipbuilding today and will be commissioned on October 7 at a ceremony in Tampa, Florida.

The U.S.S. Jack H. Lucas’ homeport will be San Diego.

The ship’s namesake has an impressive story, Jack H. Lucas joined the Marine Corps at the age of 14 by lying about his age.

When the Marine Corps found out, he was delegated to driving a truck in Hawaii.

Three years later at 17, Lucas stowed away on a ship and took part in the Battle of Iwo Jima.

He protected his squad by throwing himself on a grenade, receiving 250 pieces of shrapnel in his body and thought to be dead.

He was evacuated and was awarded the Medal of Honor on October 5, 1945 by President Harry Truman.

He was one of 27 servicemen to be awarded the medal during the Battle of Iwo Jima, also becoming the youngest recipient since the American Civil War.

Lucas died in Hattiesburg on June 5, 2008.