Sailors aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) commemorated the 240th anniversary of the Navy's birthday Oct. 13.

Cmdr. Cory Applebee, commanding officer of Farragut, and Command Master Chief Martin Roberts, spoke during the ceremony, encouraging the crew to reflect on the Navy's history and to pay respects to all the Sailors who have served and led us to where we are as a Navy today.

Quotes:
"It is particularly fitting to be forward deployed and underway on the finest warship in the fleet as we commemorate the United States Navy's 240th Birthday. I am extremely proud of our crew - they have performed admirably throughout the deployment and have strengthened Farragut's legacy of excellence."
- Command Master Chief Martin Roberts, USS Farragut (DDG 99)
"To be on deployment on the Navy's 240th birthday, doing what so many Sailors have done before and continuing our seafaring tradition is amazing. I enjoyed hearing our leadership reminisce about where we've come from, where we are heading in the future, and I was honored to make the cake for our ceremony."
- Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Matthew Hembree, USS Farragut (DDG 99)

Quick Facts:
In keeping with a time-honored tradition, the youngest and oldest Sailors onboard were given the honor of cutting the Navy birthday cake, which was provided by Hembree.

The U.S. Navy regards its date of inception as Oct. 13, 1775, when the Continental Congress authorized the procurement, outfitting, manning and dispatch of two armed vessels to cruise in search of munitions ships supplying the British Army in America. In doing so, the Continental Navy was established.

Former Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Elmo R. Zumwalt authorized recognition of Oct. 13 as the Navy's birthday in 1972.

Farragut, homeported in Mayport, Florida, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe.


U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/.