A new nuclear-powered attack submarine will be named USS Miami, Secretary of Navy Carlos Del Toro announced Tuesday during the kickoff concert of the inaugural Fleet Week Miami.
The future USS Miami, a Virginia-class sub, honors the city of Miami and the crews of three previous Navy vessels to bear the name.
“That shared history is what makes Miami one of the greatest cities on Earth — and emblematic of what makes this country the greatest country in the world,” Del Toro said. “Miami is a shining example of what happens when a city welcomes all who come seeking a better life.”
Along with the ship’s name, Del Toro announced that international pop star Gloria Estefan will be the sponsor for the future USS Miami. In her role, Gloria Estefan will represent a lifelong relationship with the ship and crew.
“We are so thankful as citizens of this great country to have all of you out there protecting and serving all of us,” Gloria Estefan said to the approximately 1,500 Sailors and Marines attending the kickoff concert.
The city of Miami has been honored with three previous vessels: a gunboat (1862-1865), a light cruiser (1942-1947), and a nuclear-powered submarine (1990-2014).
In June 1862 during the Civil War, the first Miami vessel engaged enemy forces as it ran past Confederate shore batteries at Vicksburg, Mississippi. In 1864, the Gunboat’s crew supported Union troops ashore and battled Confederate ironclad Albemarle at Plymouth, NC.
At the Battle of Leyte Gulf during World War II, the second Miami (CL 89) helped sink the Japanese destroyer Nowaki on October 26, 1944.
The third Miami (SSN 755) conducted cruise missile strikes during Operation Desert Fox in 1998 and again during Operation Allied Force in 1999.
JOHN PACENTI is the executive editor of the Key Biscayne Independent. John has worked for The Associated Press, the Palm Beach Post, Daily Business Review, and WPTV-TV.