Secretary of the Navy Considering Naming New Ship USS Pasadena

U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro will give every consideration to naming a new ship after Pasadena, according to a letter released on Thursday.

In the letter addressed to Congressman Adam Schiff (D-Pasadena), Del Toro said continuing to honor the city of Pasadena, after the decommissioning of the current USS Pasadena, by having a new ship bear the name is a recommendation worthy of consideration.

“I assure you the recommendation will be given due consideration when names are chosen for future ships after decommissioning of the current USS PASADENA,” Del Toro wrote. 

The current USS Pasadena is a nuclear submarine commissioned on Feb. 11, 1989, but is set to be decommissioned in the near future.

Ship decommissioning usually occurs after a vessel has become too old or obsolete. The vessel is retired with honor from the country’s armed forces.  

Gordo and Congresswoman Judy Chu reached out to Del Toro via phone to request the new USS Pasadena vessel in January. 

“I am writing to thank you for the phone call that was held last week with Congresswoman Judy Chu to discuss the City of Pasadena’s request for a new USS Pasadena submarine to be commissioned, as our current submarine is set to be decommissioned in the not too distant future,” Gordo wrote in letter dated Jan. 25.

Three ships have been named after the city, a cargo ship used in 1918 and 1919, a light cruiser from 1944 to 1950 and the current submarine. 

“Thank you to Congressmember Judy Chu and Congressmember Adam Schiff for working with us as we look to ensure the great and long standing tradition of Pasadenans supporting the crew of the USS Pasadena is achieved. Working together we will accomplish this mission,” Gordo said.