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The Navy’s most technologically advanced warship, USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) conducted a burial at sea ceremony Sunday, Oct. 23 in the Atlantic Ocean.
The ceremony honored the duty and service of Marine Colonel Michael Spiro, who served as the longtime aide de camp to the ship’s namesake, Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr. Spiro was commissioned in the U.S. Marine Corps after graduating from Stanford in 1950. He served in the Korea and Vietnam conflicts and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, five air medals and the Navy Achievement Medal. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1976.
“We had the opportunity to honor the lifelong deeds of Col. Michael Spiro and his service to the Marine Corps and to Adm. Zumwalt,” said Capt. James A. Kirk, commanding officer of USS Zumwalt. “Col. Spiro’s deeds will live on through USS Zumwalt’s crewmembers, as they strive to attain higher levels of dedication and discipline each day.”
Following Adm. Zumwalt’s death in Jan. 2, 2000, Col. Spiro volunteered to escort his remains from Durham, N.C. to Annapolis, Md., where Zumwalt was buried at the United States Naval Academy cemetery.
Sailors of the Zumwalt visited the grave shared by Adm. Zumwalt and his wife Mouza to honor the legacy of their ship’s namesake Oct. 13.
“The visit gave us a chance to reflect on the distinguished career and accomplishments of Adm. Zumwalt and the lasting impact he had on the Navy,” said Kirk.
Col. Spiro’s son Peter transferred the urn containing his father’s remains to Capt. Scott A. Tait, executive officer of USS Zumwalt, Oct. 14. The ship’s operations at sea following her Oct. 15 commissioning ceremony in Baltimore provided a unique opportunity for USS Zumwalt to return the favor, by escorting Col. Spiro to his eternal rest.
The ceremony took place on a brisk Sunday morning, in which a formation of Zumwalt Sailors stood smartly at attention, while a Navy chaplain provided words of solace through an invocation.
A rifle detail rendered a salute to the late Col. Spiro with a 21-gun burst, before Capt. Tait commended Spiro’s ashes to the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
“It was humbling experience to have the privilege of helping to honor a Marine and patriot, especially someone who was so important to our ship’s namesake,” said Tait.
The tolling of three solitary bells and the sounding of “Taps” brought the ceremony to a close.
“Col. Spiro is now eternally bonded with the ship and his legacy will never be forgotten,” said Tait.
The burial at sea ceremony is a time honored naval tradition that allows Sailors to remember and pay tribute to deceased service members.
“The ceremony reminds us to be vigilant and dutiful,” Kirk commented on the promise of today’s service members to carry on the tradition started by past generations. “Through honoring Col. Spiro, we are reminded that we are responsible for protecting our brothers and sisters in arms, and our actions every day should reflect the gravity of that responsibility.”
Named for Adm. Elmo R. “Bud” Zumwalt Jr., former chief of naval operations (CNO) from 1970 to 1974, the Zumwalt-class destroyer features a state-of-the-art electric propulsion system, a wave-piercing tumblehome hull, stealth design and the latest war fighting technology and weaponry available.
A veteran of World War II and the conflicts in Korea and Vietnam, Adm. Zumwalt exemplified honor, courage and commitment during 32 years of dedicated naval service, earning a Bronze Star with Valor for his actions during the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
USS Zumwalt is scheduled to begin her transit to her new homeport of San Diego. Once fully integrated into the surface fleet, Zumwalt's stealth, power and lethality will provide a vital link from the Navy’s current needs to its future capabilities.
| Date Taken: | 10.23.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 11.05.2016 09:04 |
| Story ID: | 213908 |
| Location: | AT SEA |
| Web Views: | 981 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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