How I Met Arleigh Burke
by Dave Barth
written February 5, 2001
In February 2001, Carol and I were eating pasta at a "Noodles and Company" restaurant when I noticed a gentleman sitting at a nearby table, wearing
an "Arleigh Burke" Navy ball cap. These navy blue caps were introduced to the fleet after I got out, but they show the name of the ship to which the person
is assigned. Years after I got out, I had a custom hat shop make me one for the USS Lafayette, the boat I was on.
The Arleigh Burke is a destroyer named for Admiral Arleigh Burke who served as CNO (Chief of Naval Operations) for unprecedented three, two-year terms,
from 17 August 1955 to 1 August 1961. The destroyer named for him is the first of a large class of ships of which the USS Cole, bombed by a terrorist
attack in Yemen, is one.
Carol and I visit Maine each summer, flying into Portland and driving to Booth Bay Harbor and other points along to coast to view lighthouses. The coastal route
takes us through Bath, and we get an excellent view of the shipyard, and the latest Arleigh Burke destroyers, from the bridge that passes over the Kennebec
River into which the destroyers are launched and where they float for their final pre-sea trial fitting. Being curious, I wanted to say "Hi" to the person wearing
the Arleigh Burke cap.
After Carol and I finished our meal, I went to the gentleman's table, excused myself for interrupting his meal, noted that I had seen his cap, and mentioned that
I was somewhat familiar with the Arleigh Burke class since I had recently read "The Yard," a book published in 1998 about Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, where
many of the Arleigh Burke class destroyers are built. The gentleman silently introduced himself by pulling out his driver's license and handing it to me. I thought
this was a strange way of introduction as I scanned his license, looking for something unique. Overall, it looked like my driver's license, but then I happened to
see his name: Arleigh Burke!
He saw my astonishment and told me that he was named after his uncle, Admiral Arleigh Burke, and that is why he wore the hat - in recognition of his famous uncle
and to make a statement about whom he was. We chatted for a moment, I told him I was glad I had met him, and Carol and I went on our way.
It made me realize that when you go to a restaurant, you never know what interesting persons may be there. I felt I had made one of those rare
and interesting touches with history.