About

Three years after commissioning, MUSTIN shifted homeports to become a member of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces within Destroyer Squadron 15.

MUSTIN is now stationed in San Diego, CA.

BUILT BY NORTHROP GRUMMAN SHIP SYSTEMS
INGALLS OPERATIONS
PASCAGOULA, MISSISSIPPI
CHRISTENED DECEMBER 15TH, 2001
COMMISSIONED JULY 26TH, 2003

Ship Crest

CREST: From a wreath Argent and Azure (Dark blue), two palm fronds Vert, overall the Surface Warfare Officer device Proper, flanked by two dolphins, urinant embowed respectant Gules, fins Argent, all below three arcs of thirteen mullets, five, five and three, of the second.

SHIELD: Azure (Dark blue), a delta Argent (Silver Gray) enflamed Proper surmounted by a stylized battleship gun turret of the second superimposed by an annulet Gules, bearing a polestar Azure between four mullet, two and two, Or.

SUPPORTERS: The Naval Aviator ”Wings of Gold” device Proper between four United

MOTTO: A scroll Argent, edged Azure, inscribed ‘TOUJOURS, L’AUDACE’ Gules, means to, "Always Be Bold".

Symbolism

SHIELD: Dark blue and gold are the colors traditionally used by the Navy and represent the sea and excellence. The enflamed delta symbolizes the diverse missile capabilities of the destroyer and the advent of the Tomahawk weapons system aboard surface combatants, spearheaded by VADM Henry C. Mustin. The five points of flame represent the five wars where Mustin family members fought. The triple-barreled battleship gun turret highlights VADM Lloyd M. Mustin’s (1911-1999) renowned gunnery expertise throughout his career; his remarkable experiences during the naval battle of Guadalcanal aboard the cruiser USS ATLANTA (CL 51); and, after her sinking, service with the First Marine Division on Guadalcanal. The barrels of the gun turret also reflect the three generations of the Mustin Family who faced combat under fire. The red annulet denotes unity, courage and valor. The polestar honors VADM Henry C. Mustin, a decorated Vietnam veteran, who became the commander of NATO’s largest fleet and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations during the 1980’s. The combination of the annulet and polestar symbolizes the early gunsight developed by CAPT Henry C. Mustin (1874-1923) and the prototype lead computing anti-aircraft gunsight developed by VADM Lloyd M. Mustin, a key to the United States’ success in anti-aircraft action in the Pacific during World War II. The four stars commemorate Bronze Stars awarded to the Mustin Family for service in Vietnam - three for VADM Henry C. Mustin, and one for LCDR Thomas M. Mustin, Officer in Charge of Patrol Boat River Section 511, Mekong Delta; combined with the polestar in a “V-shape” they symbolize the Combat “V” accompanying each of these awards.

CREST: The palm fronds represent achievement and victory in the Pacific Theater; principal service area of the Mustin Family, of USS MUSTIN (DD 413), and homeport to USS MUSTIN (DDG 89). The thirteen stars commemorate the thirteen Battle Stars on the Asiatic-Pacific Area Service Ribbon earned by USS MUSTIN (DD 413) for her contributions to major operations in the Pacific throughout World War II. The dolphins denote search and rescue, and symbolize MUSTIN’s valiant rescue efforts during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, where she recovered 337 survivors from USS HORNET (CV 8) as they abandoned ship. They further represent CAPT Henry C. Mustin’s receipt of a Gold Life-Saving Medal in 1918, for his swimming rescue of a Sailor washed overboard during a storm off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. The Surface Warfare Officer device reflects the sea service of the Mustin Family and the Surface Warfare excellence of the two destroyers.

SUPPORTERS: The Naval Aviator “Wings of Gold” device honors Captain Henry C. Mustin, designated Naval Aviator Number Eleven, instrumental in the design of these wings. Captain Mustin was the principal architect of the catapult launch concept; made the first catapult launch of an aircraft from a ship underway; and at Veracruz in 1914, commanded the first United States military aviation unit ever to fly against hostile fire. The four crossed Naval Officer’s swords symbolize the commissioned service of each of the Mustins honored in the naming and commissioning of USS MUSTIN (DDG 89).

Ship History

Secretary of the Navy, Richard Danzig, announced his decision to name the 39th ship of the Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer, "MUSTIN." USS MUSTIN (DDG 89) will honor the Mustin family who have recorded a rich and honorable tradition of naval service. This tradition is marked by officers who were extraordinarily creative innovators. The Mustins' legacy to the Navy service lasted from 1896 until 1989; nearly one century of naval history.

Captain Henry C. Mustin, U.S. Navy, (1874-1923) was a 1896 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. He earned a commendation for distinguished service in the capture of Vigan, Philippines, in 1899. CAPT Mustin also flew the first aircraft ever catapulted from a ship, the first operational missions of naval aircraft during the Vera Cruz action in 1914, and was the first commander of Aircraft Squadrons, Battle Fleet. He designed the insignia worn by U.S. Naval Aviators.

The destroyer USS MUSTIN (DD 413) (1939-1946), named in CAPT Henry C. Mustin's honor, earned thirteen battle stars for World War II service that included the battles of Santa Cruz, Guadalcanal, and major amphibious operations in the Pacific. This ship has received significant support from veterans of that ship.

His son, Vice Admiral Lloyd Mustin, (1911-1999), was also a 1932 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy took part in developing the Navy's first lead-computing antiaircraft gun sight. This proved of major importance in the air-sea actions of World War II. VADM Mustin served on the cruiser USS ATLANTA (CL 51) during the naval battle of Guadalcanal. His ship was lost, but he and other survivors landed on Guadalcanal and served ashore with a naval unit attached to the First Marine Division. His post war service included commands at sea and development and evaluation of weapon systems. VADM Mustin later served as director of operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Vice Admiral Mustin's two sons, retired Navy Vice Admiral Henry C. Mustin, who is now deceased. His brother, Lieutenant Commander Thomas M. Mustin, survives him. Vice Admiral Mustin, a 1955 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, is a decorated Vietnam veteran who served in the 1980's as the Naval Inspector General, Commander Second Fleet, and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Plans and Policy. Lieutenant Commander Mustin, also a 1962 Naval Academy Graduate, earned a Bronze Star during the Vietnam conflict for river patrol combat action.

MUSTIN (DDG 89) is newest of the Arleigh Burke class AEGIS destroyers. AEGIS destroyers are equipped to conduct a variety of missions, from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection. They act in support of national military strategy and operate with battle groups in high-threat environments. AEGIS destroyers provide essential escort capabilities to Navy and Marine Corps amphibious forces, combat logistics ships and convoys. These multi-mission ships are equipped with the Navy's most modern combat weapons system, which combines space-age communication, radar and weapons technologies in a single platform for unlimited flexibility while operating "Forward...From the Sea." These destroyers replace several older, classes of ships. The ship will carry Standard surface-to-air missiles, Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile System (ESSM), and Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from forward and aft vertical launching systems; two torpedo launchers; an electronic weapons system, and one five-inch gun.