USS William Charette destroyer christened at Bath Iron Works

On August 1, 2026, Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine held the christening ceremony for the future USS William Charette (DDG‑130), an Arleigh Burke‑class Flight III guided‑missile destroyer. The ship is named for Hospital Corpsman William Charette, a Korean War Medal of Honor recipient who saved fellow Marines under fire. Approximately 1,500 shipbuilders, family members and invited guests attended, including Maine Governor Janet Mills, Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, and Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao. Charette’s three daughters served as the ship’s sponsors. DDG‑130 is the second Flight III destroyer built at the Bath yard and the 43rd Arleigh Burke‑class vessel produced there. The ceremony featured the U.S. Navy Brass Band and highlighted the shipyard’s tradition of delivering advanced warships for the U.S. Navy.