US Navy Ship Named After Pennsylvania's State Capital

The U.S. Navy will name a ship that has yet to be built after the city of Harrisburg. The naming of the future USS Harrisburg was announced Thursday in the Capitol Rotunda, at an event that included federal, state and local officials.

Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer named the next San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship, LPD 30, in honor of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, said a press release from Navy Public Affairs.

“The people of central Pennsylvania have always played a critical role in forging the strength of our Navy and fighting to defend our nation,” said Spencer. “The future USS Harrisburg will carry on this legacy to every part of the world.”

LPD 30 will be the second U.S. Navy vessel named after the city of Harrisburg. The first was a troopship acquired by the Navy during World War I that served in commission from May 29, 1918 to September 25, 1919. That ship also served with the Navy in the Spanish-American War under another name.

In addition to being the capital of Pennsylvania, the Harrisburg-Carlisle metropolitan statistical area is home to a number of Department of Defense facilities including the Naval Support Activity, Mechanicsburg.  

During the Civil War, Camp Curtin, located in what is now the Uptown area of the city, served as the largest camp during the conflict with over 300,000 enlistments passing through its’ gates.

San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships support amphibious assault, special operations or expeditionary warfare missions and can serve as secondary aviation platforms for amphibious ready groups.  LPD 30 will be the first Flight II San Antonio class ship, serving as the functional replacement for the aging LSD 41/49 Whidbey Island class ships.