Northrop Grumman christened the nation’s 10th and final Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, George H. W. Bush (CVN 77), on October 7, 2006. The ship’s namesake and 41st President of the United States, George H. W. Bush, attended the ceremony and became the first president in the shipyard’s 120-year history to participate in the christening of his namesake ship.

Several members of the Bush family were on hand for the special occasion, including the former president’s wife Barbara and their daughter, Doro Bush Koch. Mrs. Koch serves as the ship’s sponsor and performed the traditional honor of breaking a bottle of American sparkling wine across the ship’s bow during the ceremony.

President George W. Bush also attended and honored his father during the ceremony as a special guest speaker.

Ceremony Photos

Ceremony Participants

The Christening Tradition