USS PRINCETON (CG-59) candidate to be featured as “Identifier Ship” for Aegis Ship Class at the National Museum of the Surface Navy

/ March 27, 2025

CALL TO ACTION!

The National Surface Navy Museum (NMSN) is set to be an inspiring journey through the story of the U.S. surface fleet, its sailors, and its unending, vital commitment to free and open oceans, ensuring the peace and prosperity of our great nation and the world. The museum was authorized to begin construction in the Port of Los Angeles by US Navy in 2018. Phase I of this new museum opens this October to coincide with our Navy’s 250th anniversary being celebrated aboard USS IOWA (BB-61) in the Port of Los Angeles. 

See https://surfacenavymuseum.org/ for details and/or watch the following 90 second video provides the museum vision as narrated by RADM Mike Shatynski, USNR Ret, the CEO of NMSN — https://youtu.be/XSRZ4dUHDEU 

Only 92 of more than 500 Navy ships from our history will be identified as ‘key ships of the fleet.’  We have a unique opportunity to include USS PRINCETON as one of just three Aegis Class Cruisers (27 in the class) to be featured as an “Identifier Ship” if we can collectively raise $10,000.  In fact we have already been pre-selected as one of those three Aegis Cruisers, the others being USS Yorktown (CG-48), and USS Port Royal (CG-73). We would all agree our valiant crew has earned the right during Operation Desert Storm For USS Princeton (CG-59) to be one of these identifier ships!  

Here’s where you all come in…  Donations are requested by May 15th to support ongoing construction and it is by then we will need to have met the $10,000 target, although you may contribute at any time after (NOTE: The National Museum of the Surface Navy is is fully tax deductible).  Those who donate $250 or more will have their name included as a donor/contributor to USS PRINCETON in the showcase.  Collective donations in excess of $10,000 will go toward future development of the museum at large.  

The link below will take you to “Phase 1: Great Ships | Surface Navy Museum” where it will explain how ships like ours will be set apart from the others.   

Here’s the steps to make your contribution:

  1. Click https://surfacenavymuseum.org/museum_campaign/phase-1-great-ships/  
  2. Select 92 Identifier Ships or just scroll down further to the Identifier Ships: Vessels That Shaped the Fleet
  3. Under the Confirmed Ships section on the left, find and click USS PRINCETON (CG-59)*  
  4. This takes you to the Donation page where you can nter your contribution of $250 or any other amount you wish to donate via credit card or PayPal. 

* Please be sure to select USS PRINCETON (CG59) and NOT “USS Princeton (1843)” (which represents the WWII carrier honored but lost in the Battle of Leyte Gulf)

*or*

If you desire to pay via check, you may send to the address below.  NOTE: Be sure to put in the Memo Section of your check “For USS PRINCETON (CG-59)” and send to:

National Museum of the Surface Navy
Attn: Development Department
250 S. Harbor Blvd.
San Pedro, CA  90731

Here’s some additional attachments to view and share

Great Ships ShowcaseDownload
More information about the NMSN
NMSN – Great Ships Wall Showcase – Executive Brief — 4 Dec 2024Download

We can all be extraordinarily proud that the legacy of USS PRINCETON and the Sailors who served on her will be uniquely and permanently honored in the National Museum of the Surface Navy (NMSN). Should you have any questions, feel free to contact me via e-mail, call or text. Once you make a donation, please let me know as I am also tracking our goal and will keep you updated!!

HONOR AND GLORY!

Nobody Did it Better!

W. James Kear Capt, USN Ret
Ambassador, National Museum of the Surface Navy
w.jameskear@gmail.com
760.702.9561
San Diego, CA

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One thought on “USS PRINCETON (CG-59) candidate to be featured as “Identifier Ship” for Aegis Ship Class at the National Museum of the Surface Navy”

  1. September 2, 2025:  Our former XO, Captain James Kear, USN Ret., provides this update: 

    Fellow PRINCETON Shipmates, past and present,

    FIRST – Welcome home and WELL DONE to current PRINCETON warriors who returned August 13th after an historic ten month deployment – the longest in PRINCETON’s storied 35+ years of service. 

    In late March, I informed PRINCETON shipmates of the grand opening of Phase I of the new National Museum of the Surface Navy (NMSN); and the Call to Action to raise funds to feature USS PRINCETON as an identifier ship on the Great Wall of Ships exhibit https://surfacenavymuseum.org/museum_campaign/phase-1-great-ships/  I am happy to report the donation drive to raise at least $10,000 was not only met but exceeded to make the USS PRINCETON exhibit a reality.  THANK YOU to all who have contributed to date!

    NOTE:  If you have not yet contributed there is still time to join the National Museum of the Surface Navy (NMSN) to become a plank owner at no cost or contribute any dollar amount you desire.  Those who donate $250 or more will have their name included as a donor/contributor to USS PRINCETON in the showcase. 

    Thanks in advance.  HONOR AND GLORY.  NOBODY DOES IT BETTER.  Again, welcome home to PRINCETON warriors! 

    Jim

    W. James Kear  Capt, USN Ret

    Ambassador, National Museum of the Surface Navy

    w.jameskear@gmail.com

    760.702.9561  I  San Diego, CA

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