Opinion: A James Stockdale, named for Ross Perot’s VP, back on Navy duty

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James B. Stockdale goes to sea again.

The Navy flier was the highest-ranking naval officer held as a POW in the Vietnam War. He was shot down over North Vietnam in 1965 and had his shoulders, arms and a leg virtually crippled during seven-plus years of torture. Though unable to fly, he was kept on active duty after his release and awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his combat duty and leadership of American POWs.

In a 1992 ‘Saturday Night Live’ skit Stockdale was brutally mocked for his televised debate performance as independent Ross Perot‘s running mate against Democrat Al Gore and Republican Dan Quayle.

It seems Stockdale’s hearing aid had malfunctioned, but it wasn’t the last time the late-night caricaturers would successfully damage a politician. The image of an ancient slow-witted bumbler stuck for the remainder of the campaign and beyond.

Stockdale died in 2005 at 81.

But this Saturday a brand new James Stockdale goes back on U.S. military duty. (Don’t wait for that news on ‘SNL’s’ update.)

In Port Hueneme on California’s coast, the Navy will officially commission DDG 106 Stockdale, the 56th of 62 planned Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. Vice Adm. Stockdale’s widow, Sybil, will officiate.

Cmdr. Fred W. Kacher, of Oakton, Va., will be the guided-missile destroyer’s first commanding officer, overseeing a crew of 276 officers and enlisted personnel. The 9,200-ton Stockdale was built by Bath Iron Works, a General Dynamics Co. She is 509 feet long with a waterline beam of 59 feet and a navigational draft of 31 feet.

The ship can exceed speeds of 30 knots.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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