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JERSEY CITY, N.J. (AP) — A submarine will be the third U.S. Navy vessel named the USS New Jersey.
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced Sunday that a submarine being built now will get that name when it's completed and commissioned in about five years.
U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez had been pushing for a ship to be named after his state.
On Sunday, he appeared with Mabus at the announcement in Jersey City. "This is a great day for the Navy and a great day for New Jersey," Menendez said. "We are honored to have our state's name added to the proud fleet of Virginia Class submarines."
Menendez noted that the first modern submarine was designed and built in New Jersey. The Holland VI was made in Elizabeth and launched in 1897.
Two battleships have been named the USS New Jersey previously. The most recent one was decommissioned in 1999 and is now docked in Camden and open for tours.
The original USS New Jersey was in service in World War I. The U.S. Army sunk it in bomb tests in 1923.
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