U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announced last week that a future Navajo-class towing, salvage and rescue ship will be named in honor of James D. Fairbanks, who was born and raised in the White Earth Nation.
Fairbanks was the first Native American to serve as force master chief petty officer, the highest-ranking enlisted Navy Seabee. He is a 1970 graduate of Park Rapids Area High School.
“What the Navy knows, and what White Earth knows, is that stories matter. That history matters. That traditions matter. Honoring warriors like FORCM Fairbanks matters,” said Gov. Tim Walz.
SECNAV Del Toro Names Ship in Honor of Force Master Chief Petty Officer of the Seabees James D Fairbanks globalsecurity.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from globalsecurity.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.