Namesake:
Captain John Francis "Jake" Laboon
"Fearless
Fifty-Eight" honors the distinguished career of Captain John Francis
"Jake" Laboon, Chaplain Corps, U. S. Navy.
Known to most simply as "Father Jake", he devoted his life to service
to God, Country and the Navy. A football star and National Championship
Lacrosse All-American, Laboon graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy as
a member of the class of 1944.
Assigned to the submarine USS PETO (SS 265), then Lieutenant Junior
grade Laboon won the Silver Star for bravery for diving from his moving
submarine to rescue a downed aviator under heavy enemy fire. At the
close of World War II, Lieutenant Laboon left the Navy to become a
Jesuit priest.
In 1958, Father Laboon returned to the Navy he loved as a member of the
Chaplain Corps. Over the next 21 years, he served in virtually every
branch of the Navy and Marine Corps. His assignments included tours in
Alaska, Hawaii, Japan and Vietnam. As a Chaplain with the Marines in
Vietnam, Father Laboon earned a Legion of Merit with Combat "V".
In addition to his heroic service in two wars, Father Laboon became the
first chaplain for the Polaris Submarine Program and later became the
Senior Catholic Chaplain at the Naval Academy. The Naval Academy has
honored Father Laboon by renaming the Chaplain's Center in his honor.
When he retired in 1979, Captain Laboon was the Fleet Chaplain,
Atlantic Fleet. When his naval career ended, Father Laboon returned to
Annapolis as the house manager of the Jesuit retreat facility,
Manresa-on-Severn. His final tour of duty was as pastor of St.
Alphonsus Rodriguez Church in Woodstock, Maryland.
When he passed away in 1988, Father Jake left behind countless service
members and their families whose lives he had touched with his
compassion and understanding. His courage and genuine interest and
concern for all his shipmates was then, is now, and will forever remain
an extraordinary example for young sailors and marines everywhere. It
is indeed an honor for DDG 58 to be named for such an outstanding naval
hero.
Special thanks to John Mulcahy for supplying above information.
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Ship's Crest:
The ship's coat
of arms is highly symbolic of the ship's namesake, Captain John Francis
Laboon and his heroism, loyalty and devotion to duty.
The shield, in Navy blue and gold, represents the sea and excellence
highlighting Chaplain Laboon's dedicated naval service. The color white
signifies integrity and purity of purpose. the quarted shield suggests
a cross reflecting the chaplain's mission. the upright trident
symbolizes sea prowess and highlights the ship's vertical launch
capabilities with the three tines representing Anti-Submarine,
Anti-Surface, and Anti-Air Warfare. The Trident, with it's bottom spike
pointing to the ocean depths, also represents Chaplain Laboon's service
as a submariner both as a line officer and a chaplain.
The foundation of the crest is a life preserver which symbolizes
Chaplain Laboon's heroic rescue of a downed fighter pilot. The
preserver's straps, which are red, reflect courage and sacrifice and
denote his service with the Marines in Vietnam. The star commemorates
the Chaplain's Silver Star and also represents his five successful
submarine patrols. the wreath of laurel is emblematic of honor and
accomplishment.
LABOON's motto "WITHOUT FEAR" is emblazoned in white on a red scroll
underneath the shield. Just as Captain John Francis Laboon showed no
fear in rescuing the downed aviator, LABOON meets all challenges,
milestones and obstacles "WITHOUT FEAR".
Special thanks to John Mulcahy for supplying above information.
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