Sailors of the USS Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29) salute and bring the ship to life along with Marines from Marine Aviation Training Support Groups 21 and 23 during the ship’s commissioning ceremony at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Pensacola, Fla., Sept. 7, 2024. (EJ Hersom/Department of Defense)

The amphibious transport dock USS Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29) was commissioned aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola on Saturday as part of the Navy’s Amphibious Multi-Ship Procurement Contract, according to a Naval Surface Force news release.

It is the 13th San Antonio-class ship commissioned in the Navy, and the first U.S. Navy ship to bear this namesake.

McCool received the Medal of Honor in December 1945 for his leadership efforts and for rescuing injured sailors despite personal wounds after kamikaze aircraft attacked his ship during the Battle of Okinawa.

“Capt. McCool’s leadership in the face of grave danger, and his acts of heroism to save the crew and the ship our nation entrusted to him are indeed an example for all throughout,” said Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, the ceremony’s guest speaker.

Sailors of the USS Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29) salute and bring the ship to life along with Marines during the ship’s commissioning ceremony at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Pensacola, Fla., Sept. 7, 2024. (EJ Hersom/Department of Defense)

Navy Junior Sea Cadets and Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets make an arrival line for the USS Richard M. McCool Jr. commissioning ceremony at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Pensacola, Fla., Sept. 7, 2024. (EJ Hersom/Department of Defense)

The Color Guard presents for the SS Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29) commissioning ceremony at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Pensacola, Fla., Sept. 7, 2024. (EJ Hersom/Department of Defense)

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti emphasized the important role the McCool will play.

“The LPD plays an essential role on our Blue-Green team as the workhorse of our amphibious fleet, and soon McCool will set sail and begin embarking, transporting and landing elements of our Navy-Marine Corps team,” she said. “The commissioning of this warship puts another player with more capability on the field in America’s Warfighting Navy, providing more options to our nation’s leaders to deter and, if necessary, fight and win our nation’s wars in this decade and beyond.”

Gen. C.J. Mahoney, assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, said LPD 29 integrates the latest SPY-6 (air and missile defense radar system) next generation surface search technology that enables reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance on the forward edge of the battlespace.

“If the Marine Corps is a bullet to be fired by the Navy, the USS Richard M. McCool Jr. — with the very crew you see here today — will pull the trigger,” Mahoney said.

San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships are designed to embark, transport and land elements of a landing force for various expeditionary warfare missions, according to the Navy.

The commissioning of LPD 29 is part of the Amphibious Multi-Ship Procurement Contract, a $11.5 billion deal by the Navy to purchase four new amphibious warships for the purpose to support amphibious assault, special operations and expeditionary warfare missions of Marines.

“I am proud that the Department of the Navy is pursuing the award of the Amphibious Multi-Ship Procurement Contract for a total of three San Antonio-Class amphibious ships — just like USS Richard M. McCool Jr. — along with an America Class amphibious assault ship,” Del Toro said. “I am proud to see these sailors and Marines bring this incredible warship to life in service to our nation, much like this ship’s courageous namesake.”