The Legacy of USS Fort Lauderdale: A Family Connection

When the USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) docked at Naval Station Newport in Rhode Island from Nov. 21-24, it was a moment filled with significance for one Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport employee. John Lauderdale, a resident of New London, Connecticut, serves in Division Newport’s Undersea Warfare Electromagnetic Systems Department and has a family name deeply intertwined with the ship’s history.

The USS Fort Lauderdale is named after the city in Florida, which, in turn, is named after Lauderdale’s great-great-great-granduncle, William Lauderdale. William served as a lieutenant under Andrew Jackson during the Tennessee volunteers’ dispatch to New Orleans in 1812 and as a major during the Second Seminole War in 1838. William was the younger brother of Lt. Col. James Lauderdale, John’s great-great-great-grandfather.

The city of Fort Lauderdale itself has a rich history, named after a series of forts built by the U.S. during the Second Seminole War in 1838. The city’s development began 50 years after the forts were abandoned, with incorporation taking place in 1911.

Commissioned on July 30, 2022, the USS Fort Lauderdale is the 12th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship designed for various expeditionary warfare missions. When the ship arrived in Newport, it caught Lauderdale’s attention, leading to a personal and touching visit.

Upon hearing of the USS Fort Lauderdale’s arrival, Lauderdale requested permission to leave work early to visit the ship. His visit turned into a memorable experience as he was welcomed as an honored guest, receiving a personal challenge coin from Command Master Chief Petty Officer Michael Knott.

Lauderdale was introduced to key personnel on the ship, including Chief Petty Officers, a Marine Corps sergeant major, and the ship’s commander, Capt. Gill McCarthy. The captain, a self-proclaimed ‘history geek,’ was fascinated by Lauderdale’s lineage and the ship’s namesake. Lauderdale received a personal challenge coin from Capt. McCarthy and had the opportunity to share his family’s history, with the captain expressing interest in archiving it with the ship’s records.

Reflecting on his visit, Lauderdale remarked, “I went aboard with no preconceived expectations and came away with a lifetime of memories. This was a bucket list moment for me, and I believe my great-great-great-grandfather would be pleased to see the family legacy carried forward.”

NUWC Newport, where Lauderdale serves, holds a significant place in naval history as the oldest warfare center in the country, with roots dating back to the Naval Torpedo Station established on Goat Island in Newport Harbor in 1869.

Under the leadership of Capt. Chad Hennings, NUWC Newport continues to play a vital role in undersea warfare, with major detachments in Florida and the Bahamas, along with various test facilities across the country. The legacy of USS Fort Lauderdale, intertwined with John Lauderdale’s family history, serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring connections between naval tradition and personal legacy.