New U.S. Navy Ship Named for Fall River Native

BOSTON — A brand new U.S. Navy destroyer will be commissioned this Saturday, and it's named for a Navy pilot who received the Medal of Honor during the Korean War.

On Saturday, the ship will be named the USS Thomas Hudner, in honor of Lt. J.G. Thomas Hudner. Hudner was born in Fall River and resided in the city until he attended Phillips Academy in Andover. After graduating, Hudner attended the U.S. Naval Academy.

Hudner was awarded the Medal of Honor after crash-landing his plane to try and save the life of another pilot during the Korean War in 1950. The medal was given to Hudner by President Harry Truman. Thomas Hudner died last year at age 93.

The ship will be docked at the Flynn Cruise Port Terminal in Boston through Saturday. It is open for free public visits on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.