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The following was released by the Office of the Assistant to the
Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs):

                                           No. 393-94
                                           (703)697-5342(media)
                                           (703)697-3189(copies)
IMMEDIATE RELEASE      June 30, 1994       (703)697-
                                           5737(public/industry)

           NAVY TO COMMISSION GUIDED MISSILE DESTROYER

                     JOHN S. MCCAIN (DDG 56)

     The U.S. Navy will commission the guided missile destroyer
John S. McCain (DDG 56) on Saturday, July 2, 1994 at Bath Iron
Works Corporation, Bath, Maine, commencing at 10 a.m.

     Former President of the United States George Bush will be
the ceremony's principal speaker.  Mrs. Cindy McCain, wife of
Arizona Senator John McCain, is the ship's sponsor.

     Senator McCain will also attend the ceremony.

     McCain (DDG 56) is named in honor of Admiral John S. McCain
(1884-1945), the distinguished World War II carrier task force
commander, and his son, Admiral John S. McCain, Jr. (1911-1981),
former Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Command.  The Admirals
were the grandfather and father to Senator McCain.

     McCain is the sixth of 29 Arleigh Burke Class ships
currently authorized to be built.  These multi-mission ships are
equipped with the Navy's modern Aegis combat weapons system,
which combines space-age communication, radar and weapons
technologies in a single platform for unlimited flexibility.
These new destroyers will replace older, less capable ships that
are being taken out of service as the Navy reduces spending while
maintaining quality as part of our overall plan to recapitalize
the fleet.  These versatile ships are designed to operate
independently or in support of aircraft carrier and amphibious
operations.

     McCain is equipped to carry Standard surface-to-air missiles
and Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from forward and aft
vertical launching systems; two fully automated, radar controlled
Phalanx close-in weapon systems; Harpoon anti-ship missiles; one
five-inch gun and electronic warfare systems.  The ship is 505
feet in length, has a waterline beam of 66 feet and displaces
approximately 8,422 tons fully loaded.  The ship will have a crew
of 26 officers, 24 chief petty officers, and 291 enlisted
personnel.  Commander John Kirkland Ross, U.S. Navy, is the
ship's commanding officer.
                               -USN-