(04-23) 19:42 PDT Johnstown, Pa. (AP) -- The Navy is naming its next amphibious ship after the late western Pennsylvania congressman John Murtha.
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus made the announcement Friday at the Johnstown-Cambria County Airport. Murtha's family and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi were in attendance.
Murtha, a former Marine, represented the Johnstown area for more than 35 years. He died in February at age 77 from complications of gallbladder surgery.
The USS John P. Murtha will be a 10th San Antonio Class Amphibious Transport vessel. With a crew of more than 360, it will transport 700 Marines, their equipment and supplies.
The keel for the ship is expected to be laid in about a year. It should set sail three years after that.
Murtha was the first Vietnam War combat veteran elected to Congress.
