Capt. Mike Meyer, commander, Naval Surface Squadron Fourteen, presided over the ceremony and helped celebrate Litchfield’s successful tour aboard.  The crew recently completed Basic Phase in exemplary fashion and is currently wrapping up preparations for her maiden deployment.

“The last two and a half years aboard Thomas Hudner as executive officer and commanding officer have been the most challenging years of my 30-year career, but also some of the most exciting and memorable,” said Litchfield. “I could not be prouder of this command and our Sailors.  They have crushed every task and overcome every obstacle throughout a very arduous schedule and global pandemic.”

Litchfield’s next assignment is Director of Joint Maritime Operations at the Missile Defense Agency in Dahlgren, Va. Before departing, he took the opportunity to thanks those attending for all the support they provided during his time in command.

“Unfortunately, due to COVID, we were unable to have a traditional change of command ceremony,” he said.  “However, I am grateful to have been able to turnover with my immediate family present.  They have provided tremendous support throughout this tour.  I would also like to thank the Ombudsmen, Family Readiness Group, and all the families for supporting Thomas Hudner as well.  We could not have been successful without their support.”

A Louisiana native raised in Tallahassee, Fla., Mancuso graduated from Florida State University and was commissioned in 2001 after completing Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Fla.  He served as the ship’s executive officer before taking the helm.

“Taking command of Thomas Hudner is truly the honor of a lifetime,” said Mancuso.  “The reputation of this warship across the waterfront speaks for itself and is a direct reflection of the tenacity of this amazing crew of America’s finest. 

“I am so proud to sail into harm’s way with these naval surface warfare professionals and have no doubt we will succeed in all assigned missions.” 

The 66th Arleigh-Burke class, guided-missile destroyer to be commissioned, DDG 116 is named after Medal of Honor recipient, Capt. Thomas Hudner, Jr. On Dec. 4, 1950, while supporting marines at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, Lt. j.g. Hudner crash landed his F4U Corsair on a mountainside in an attempt to rescue his downed wingman, Ens. Jesse L. Brown.

The first African American aviator to complete the U.S. Navy's basic flight training program and to attain a carrier landing qualification, Brown epitomized the Navy’s core values of honor, courage, commitment. While Brown perished in the wreckage, his deep bond with Hudner, founded on strength of character rather than color of skin, set the example for Americans that men and women should not be judged by where they came from or what they look like.

After receiving recognition for his heroism, Hudner remained on active duty, completing 27 years of Naval service during which he flew 27 additional combat missions in the Korean War and served as executive officer aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) during the Vietnam War. 

Hudner’s legacy of boldness and excellence is carried on by the DDG 116 crew.