Sailors aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Mason, part of the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, celebrated the ship's 13th birthday with a cake cutting and ice cream social on the crew's mess decks while underway training for an upcoming deployment, April 12.

The cake was cut by Cmdr. Christopher J. Gilbertson, Mason's commanding officer along with Chief Warrant Officer 2 Onyemaechi Agbasi, a member of the original Mason crew during its 2003 commissioning, Chief Fire Controlman Roderick Macneil, the oldest member of the crew, and Seaman Beatrice Jimenez, the youngest member of the Mason crew.

Mason is the third ship to bear the name following an announcement made in 1998 by Secretary of the Navy John H. Dalton, making official his decision to name the 37th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, USS Mason (DDG 87), in order to mark the contributions of USS Mason (DE 529) to Sailors equality and desegregation in today's Navy.

"Celebrating the 13th birthday of our ship was a remarkable moment for me," said Yeoman 1st Class Rhonda Jackson. "As an African-American, I am proud to serve aboard the namesake of the first Navy ship which allowed those from my culture to be an integral part of the crew and serve alongside other races."

No one in the command is without knowledge of the second Mason's prestigious history. In late 1943, the Navy announced its plan to place an all-black crew with white officers aboard DE 529. DE 529 has the distinction of being the only U.S. Navy warship to be manned with a predominantly black enlisted crew. One hundred and 60 black Sailors were enrolled in all fields of operational and technical training and manned the ship at commissioning.

Although known as "Eleanor's Folly" for Eleanor Roosevelt's introduction of the idea for an all-black crew, DE 529 served with distinction during World War II. Mason's crew was recommended for commendation, but the commendation was not awarded until 1994. At the end of the war, Mason was assigned as a training ship operating from Miami until being decommissioned and sold for scrap in 1947.

On July 26, 1947 President Harry S. Truman signed Executive Order 9981, officially desegregating the armed forces.

"Their legacy lives on," Gilbertson said during a speech before the cake cutting.

Gilbertson spoke about DE-529's legacy and the courage it took to accomplish what they were able to during their time in service.

"Our motto 'Proudly We Serve' tells the story of what the Mason is about," Gilbertson said. "Serving is what we do."

Mason Sailors today are taught to know and remember the history of their predecessors. This tradition of pride has allowed Mason to continue to excel and serve proudly wherever needed.

"You should be proud of everything you do, proud of who you are, proud of being a member of this crew and this ship," Gilbertson said. "Every day you provide something to the memory of all the Masons, including ours today. So happy birthday!"

Along with Mason, Ike CSG includes the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10 staff, Destroyer Squadron 26 staff, aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, guided-missile cruisers USS San Jacinto (CG 56) and USS Monterey (CG 61), and ships of the DESRON 26: guided-missile destoyers USS Stout (DDG 55), USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) and USS Nitze (DDG 94).

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