US Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer has confirmed that DDG 131, a future Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, will be named in honour of Korean War veteran Aviation Machinist's Mate 3rd Class George M. Neal.
Neal, an enlisted rescue helicopter crewman, was awarded the Navy Cross, the US Navy's second highest combat decoration, for his actions during the Korean War.
The future USS George M. Neal will be built by Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII).