Construction and Commissioning
Johnston was laid down on 6 May 1942 by the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., Seattle, Washington; launched on 25 March 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Marie S. Klinger, great-niece of her namesake; and commissioned on 27 October 1943, Lieutenant Commander Ernest E. Evans in command.
The day Johnston was commissioned, Cmdr. Evans made a speech to the crew, in which he quoted a phrase attributed to John Paul Jones: "This is going to be a fighting ship. I intend to go in harm's way, and anyone who doesn't want to go along had better get off right now."
Read more about this topic: USS Johnston (DD-557)
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