Articles by Josh Lange

Published April 10, 2025

In February, I had started a call to action in the Mishawaka Enterprise to convince the United States Navy to name another vessel after the City of Mishawaka. In 1963, the United States Navy launched a Natick Class harbor tugboat, YTB-764 USNS Mishawaka. Mishawakans adored the idea that a Navy ship was named in the city’s honor. Images of the boat were used on postcards that were given away throughout the city in the late 1960s, and sailors from Mishawaka who saw the ship would take photos in front of it. Sadly, though, on October 28, 2002, YTB-764 USNS Mishawaka was stricken by the Navy and sold at a government liquidation auction to a private company. This means the City of Mishawaka has not had a ship named after it for almost 23 years, and that is 23 years too many.

I wrote a detailed proposal as to why Mishawaka deserves another Navy vessel as well as historical information regarding the original YTB-764 USNS Mishawaka and Mishawaka’s extensive military history with help from the Mishawaka Historical Museum and Historian Laureate of Mishawaka, Peter De Kever. I sent this proposal to our government officials, hoping to get a response but not expecting one. To my surprise, on March 14, I received a letter in the mail from the Department of the Navy, and what it said was incredibly touching:

“Dear Mr. Lange

Thank you for your recent letter requesting for a future Navy vessel be named in honor of Mishawaka, Indiana. Considering the proud legacy of the first USNS MISHAWAKA and the legacy of service displayed by the citizens of Mishawaka, IN, your request is especially fitting. Honoring the City of Mishawaka with a new ship name is a worthy recommendation. Thank you for bringing this name to my attention. I can assure you this will be given every consideration when names are chosen for future ships. If you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely, Terence G. Emmert

Acting”

This letter from Acting Secretary Emmert was wonderful and is the best response I have ever gotten from the government. In the past, when I sent inquiries or proposals to other governmental entities, I got cookie cutter responses from the offices of the representatives. This one, however, stands out in how specific and to the point it is. Acting Secretary Emmert’s letter showed a genuine level of care that I deeply appreciate. While we do not know what the future may hold in regard to a potential vessel named after Mishawaka, or if it will even happen, this was a positive first step forward.

A formal backing of naming a Navy vessel after Mishawaka from Congressman Yakym, Senator Banks, and Senator Young would help this proposal immensely, bringing it one step closer to reality. I want to thank the readers who supported this proposal and shared their thoughts. If anyone feels as passionate about this idea as me, they should reach out to our representatives and request that they formally back the idea of another USNS Mishawaka.