USS John Paul Jones Marks 20th Birthday

Guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53), commemorated its 20th year of service with members of the ship’s first plankowners at Naval Base San Diego, Calif. Dec. 18.

John Paul Jones, named after American Revolutionary War Navy Capt. John Paul Jones, was commissioned Dec. 18, 1993.

Cmdr. Andrew J. Thomsan, commanding officer of John Paul Jones, gave a tour of the ship to the plankowners who came aboard for the celebration.

John Paul Jones’ past and present crewmembers discussed the many changes that took place in the ship’s spaces over the 20 years since being commissioned. They toured the bridge, combat information center, berthing areas and the ship’s foc’sle,

“One major change is the berthing assignments, said Thomsan. “Rating and ranks aren’t split as much. The biggest change on the ship is the increased amount of crewmembers,” said Thomsan.

Retired Chief Radioman Tracy Brazil explained even though the numbers went up for the crewmembers as a whole, the numbers still stayed around the same for his rate, which has now been converted into the Information System Technician and Operation System Specialist ratings.

At the end of the tour and ceremony, the plankowners presented Thomsan with a plaque dedicated to the past, present and future crewmembers who serve aboard John Paul Jones.

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Press Release, December 20, 2013; Image: US Navy