USS Lassen to arrive at Naval Station Mayport

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Naval Station Mayport is the new homeport for the guided-missile destroyer, USS Lassen.

The ship finished a 10-year forward deployment in Japan, and is expected to dock Monday morning.

“It’s been one of the hardest things. If you told me three years ago I wouldn’t see my son for four years, I wouldn’t have believed you,” said Karrie Jones.

The USS Lassen left Japan in January for its final patrol with the US 7^th Fleet.

The USS Lassen was named after Lt. Clyde Everett Lassen who earned a Medal of Honor after rescuing two downed aviators in Vietnam.

The ship also made worldwide headlines in October when it challenged China’s territorial claims to the South China Sea by sailing within 12 nautical miles of the artificial islands around Beijing.

The ship has been on a 10-year forward deployment in Japan, meaning it can be called at a moment's notice.

The USS Lassen will become the 15th ship at the base.

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Cox Media Group