Could a U.S. Navy Warship Soon Be Named After Evansville?

Have you ever visited the USS LST 325 in Evansville? The naval landing ship is usually docked along Riverside Drive next to the Bally's Riverfront Event Center, and it's a monument to the brave men and women who served on it over the years, and, of course, during World War II. A few years ago, we took a very educational and fascinating tour of the LST.

Evansville's World War II History

During World War II, these landing ship tanks (LSTs) were constructed in Evansville and were used during the invasion of Normandy on June 6th, 1944. Yes, that was D-Day. And beginning in 1944, P-47 Thunderbolt fighter aircraft were built at Evansville's Republic Aviation Plant, with factories churning out ammunition and tanks as part of the war effort.

Naming a Warship After Evansville

These rich pieces of Evansville history were included in a letter from Indiana Congressman Mark Messmer and Indiana Senator Todd Young to Secretary of the Navy John Phelan. The letter was a strong recommendation that a naval warship be named after Evansville to honor all the hard workers who ultimately helped "to shape the outcome of the war." Here's that letter.

So far, the Hoosier State's representation on naval warships includes the following with the USS Indianapolis designation. They are the CA-35 (heavy cruiser), LCS-17 (littoral combat ship), and the SSN-697 (submarine). There are also vessels name for Indiana itself, Gary, and Fort Wayne.

If this goes through (fingers crossed), I wonder what type of ship it would be. We'll have to wait until the Secretary of the Navy makes the call.