Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announces that a future Navajo-class Towing, Salvage, and Rescue ship will be named after James D. Fairbanks, a member of the Chippewa Tribe and the 13th Force Master Chief Petty Officer of the Seabees. Del Toro made the announcement Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2024, at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington. (U.S. Navy)

The Navy will name a future Navajo-class Towing, Salvage, and Rescue ship after James D. Fairbanks, a member of the Chippewa Tribe and the 13th Force Master Chief Petty Officer of the Seabees.

“The names of thousands of indigenous heroes who have served with distinction in our military — and especially our Navy and Marine Corps — echo and inspire us still,” Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro said Wednesday during a ceremony at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington. “This Navajo-class ship bearing the name James D. Fairbanks will carry his legacy of service forward and symbolize his dedication to the Seabees and our nation.” 

Fairbanks, born Jan. 9, 1952, served in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. He enlisted in the Marines in 1970 and served as an ordnanceman with 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines, until he was honorably discharged in 1972. He then worked as a civilian welder until 1977, when he enlisted in the Navy. Fairbanks served with an amphibious construction battalion (ACB) until his honorable discharge in 1979.

James D. Fairbanks served in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. From 2005 to 2008, Fairbanks served as the 13th Force Master Chief for the Seabees, the highest-ranking enlisted Seabee and first Native American to hold this position.   (U.S. Navy)

In 1986, he resumed Navy service as a Seabee. While deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Fairbanks received the Bronze Star for meritorious leadership under proximate enemy fire and threat of enemy attack. From 2005 to 2008, Fairbanks served as the 13th Force Master Chief for the Seabees, the highest-ranking enlisted Seabee and first Native American to hold this position.

He died in Alabama in 2011 at 59.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Chairman of the White Earth Indian Reservation Michael Fairbanks joined Del Toro for the ceremony. Fairbanks was born and raised on the White Earth Indian Reservation in Northern Minnesota.

“What the Navy knows, and what White Earth [Nation] knows, is that stories matter,” Walz said. “That history matters. That traditions matter. Honoring warriors like FORCM Fairbanks matters.”

Navajo-class ships will provide ocean-going tug, salvage and rescue capabilities. Navajo-class ships will be capable of towing U.S. Navy ships and will have 6,000 square feet of deck space for embarked systems. The T-ATS 6 Navajo Class will be comprised of 10 vessels, 10 of which have been awarded for construction.

A graphic representation of a Navajo-class Towing, Salvage, and Rescue ship. (U.S. Navy)