WWII vet to witness Navy ship christening

It’s a very rare occasion when a Navy ship’s namesake is alive to witness the war vessel’s official christening ceremony. News 25’s Gina Tomlinson shows us an up close look at the Navy ship at Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula and introduces us to the 96-year-old World War II veteran the vessel is named after.
The DDG 117 stands as strong as 96-year-old Navy veteran Paul Ignatius, who was a part of the largest naval battle of World War II. Now, a new victory as the WWII vet gets to witness the official christening ceremony at Ingalls Shipyard for the ship named after him. “I’ve seen the ship being built in earlier visits, but to see it fully completed now in its full strength is really quite an experience,” said Ignatius.
Marking a rare occasion when a warship’s namesake is still alive for a vessel’s christening ceremony. Paul’s wife Nancy will serve as the destroyer’s sponsor on Saturday as the couple tie the knot on another celebration this December: 70 years of marriage. “My sister introduced us and we got married and she’s been a real supportive wife,” said Ignatius.
As part of an old Navy tradition, Nancy, as the sponsor of the ship, will be breaking a bottle of champagne on the ship’s bow, officially symbolizing the DDG 117 is in the water. Commanding Officer Robby Trotter said, “It’s a great honor to have Mr. Ignatius here to be a part of this process, as well as his wife and his family. So that, to me, is a huge honor.”
An honor for many others, from the cast and crew who will serve on the Paul Ignatius DDG 117 to the workers who helped build the ship, like Electrical Foreman Lisa Avery. She said, “It means a whole lot to me to take so much pride and build something so strong.”
“It’s built as the motto of Ingalls, built tougher than steel,” said Ignatius.
And just as strong as the ship’s namesake, who understands the importance and sacrifices that are made to defend the ones they love and are willing to die to protect, whether by land, air, or sea.