Keywords: US Navy 030404-N-0000X-563 On April 12, 2003 the Navy commissioned its newest guided missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87).jpg en Port Canaveral Fla Apr 4 2003 -- On April 12 2003 the Navy commissioned its newest guided missile destroyer USS Mason DDG 87 The third ship to carry the name Mason comes to life like many U S Navy ships with a built in and proud history But that s in addition to the heroics and statesmanship of the two men for which the ship is named John Young Mason Secretary of the Navy for Presidents John Tyler and James K Polk and Distinguished Flying Cross winner Ensign Newton Henry Mason who died in aerial combat during World War II s Battle of Coral Sea U S Navy photo by Cliff Steenhoff RELEASED 2003-04-04 030404-N-0000X-563 Navy http //www navy mil/view_image asp id 6765 U S Navy photo by Cliff Steenhoff PD-USGov-Military-Navy Images from US Navy location Port Canaveral Fla |