Release Date: January 13, 2006

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Mullen, presents a photo of the newly announced guided missile destroyer USS Stockdale to Sybil Stockdale, widow of the late Vice Adm. James B. Stockdale ’46. The Stockdale is scheduled to be commissioned in 2008. U.S. Navy photo by Andrew Korenkov.

The USS Stockdale will be a Flight IIA variant of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer and will incorporate a helicopter hanger facility into the original design. The ship can carry two SH-60B/R Light Airborne Multipurpose System MK III helicopters. Guided-missile destroyers operate independently and in conjunction with carrier battle groups, surface action groups, amphibious groups and replenishment groups.

A member of the Monmouth College Class of 1946, Stockdale attended as a freshman before transferring to the U.S. Naval Academy. He was the highest-ranking naval officer ever held as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam. His plane was shot down Sept. 9, 1965, while flying combat missions over North Vietnam.

The Abingdon, Ill., native spent more than seven years in captivity at prisons in North Vietnam, including time at the infamous “Hanoi Hilton.” Four of those years were spent in solitary confinement.

While imprisoned, Stockdale is credited with organizing a set of rules to govern the behavior of fellow POWs and for helping to develop a code for prisoners to communicate with each other that included tapping on cell walls.

In recognition of his leadership and sacrifice, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1976. He also received 26 combat medals and awards, including two Distinguished Flying Crosses, three Distinguished Service Medals, two Purple Hearts and four Silver Stars.

Stockdale was also named to the Aircraft Carrier Hall of Fame, National Aviation Hall of Fame and was an honorary member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots.

The college’s student center was named in his honor in 1989, and he was inducted into Monmouth College’s prestigious Hall of Achievement in 2000. He also held an honorary degree from Monmouth.
More information on Stockdale is available at www.admiralstockdale.us.

Released by the Office of College Communications
Barry McNamara, Associate Director of College Communications
Phone: 309-457-2117
Fax: 309-457-2330

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