NOVEMBER 18, 2025 – Independence-variant littoral combat ship, the future USS Pierre (LCS 38), was commissioned, Nov. 15 at 10 a.m. CST in Panama City, Florida.
Pierre will be the 19th and final Independence-variant littoral combat ship (LCS) and the second U.S. Navy ship to bear the name.
The Honorable John Phelan, Secretary of the Navy, delivered the commissioning ceremony’s principal address.
“Reflecting upon the strength of American shipbuilding and national commitment, the commissioning of USS Pierre marks an important moment for the Fleet. President Trump is committed to restoring our shipbuilding capacity because he knows that to be a superpower, one must be a seapower,” said Secretary Phelan. “This ship represents the skill, dedication, and craftsmanship of the builders, yard workers, and industry partners who brought her from concept to keel commissioning. The leadership and crew of USS Pierre carry forward the pride of their namesake with a steady course and clear purpose. They are backed by the Navy, the Nation, the shipbuilders who brought her to life, and the families whose support and sacrifice make service possible.”
The ship’s sponsor, Larissa Thune Hargens, a native of South Dakota, graduated from Bethel University in Saint Paul, Minn., with a bachelor’s degree in political science and history. The call to serve runs deep in Hargens’ family. Her grandfather was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in Fighting Squadron 18 (VF-18) on the USS Intrepid (CV-11) during World War II, and her father is South Dakota Senator John Thune. Hargens has continued that tradition by serving with a non-profit incentive program.
Hargens has expressed confidence in the future of the USS Pierre and the role the ship and its crew will play in our nation’s history.
“The USS Pierre is more than a ship,” said Hargens during the ship’s christening ceremony. “It is a vessel of protection and safety, of hope and freedom, carrying the collective values of honor, courage, and commitment of those who built it and of those men and women who will serve on it – the very same qualities exhibited by my late grandfather. It is a privilege to be a part of this legacy in such a meaningful way, and it is humbling to stand up here among our heroes in uniform who defend and protect our freedoms each and every day.”
The littoral combat ship class consists of two variants, Freedom and Independence, designed and built by two industry teams. Lockheed Martin leads the Freedom-variant team, the odd-numbered hulls, in Marinette, Wis. Austal USA leads the Independence-variant team in Mobile, Ala., for LCS 6 and the subsequent even-numbered hulls.
Littoral combat ships are fast, optimally manned, mission-tailored surface combatants that operate in near-shore and open-ocean environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats. LCS integrates with joint, combined, manned, and unmanned teams to support forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions around the globe.
More information on the littoral combat ship program can be found at: https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/article/2171607/littoral-combat-ship-class-lcs/
