General Dynamics christens future destroyer USS Rafael Peralta

BATH, Maine, Nov. 2 (UPI) -- General Dynamics Bath Iron Works christened the U.S. Navy's newest guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta on Saturday.

The official christening was performed by the ship's sponsor, Rosa Maria Peralta, the mother of Sgt Peralta, the fallen U.S. Marine in whose honor the ship was named. The ceremony took place at the Bath Iron Works' shipyard, with Marine Corps General Robert B. Neller in attendance as the principal speaker. Bath Iron Works president Fred Harris was also in attendance.

"We all understand the importance of what we do –building ships that will protect our sailors and marines, providing them the best possible tools to do their jobs," Harris said. "We know the ships we build will be called upon to go anywhere, at any time, in harm's way. Every day we honor the service and sacrifice of those whose names our ships carry by building each ship to our high standards of quality."

The USS Rafael Peralta is the third of 14 planned ships part of Bath Iron Works' DDG 51 ship-building program, which focuses on the production of Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers. The Rafael Peralta will specialize in supporting carrier groups, surface action groups, and defensive maritime operations.

Marine Corps Sgt. Rafael Peralta, the new destroyer's namesake, was killed in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Department of Defense says Peralta distinguished himself for saving his fellow Marines during the second battle of Fallujah in 2004.