Commissioning the USNS Miguel Keith (ESB 5)

It’s an exciting time for us. We’re a little over a month away from commissioning the USNS Miguel Keith (ESB 5). Once commissioned, it will be redesignated as the USS Miguel Keith and assigned to the 7th Fleet. All events supporting the commissioning are not paid for by the U.S. Government but privately funded by your donations and managed by the San Diego Council of the Navy League. We are an IRS Registered 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization, and some contributions may be tax-deductible. Your donations will go to the ship, her crew, and their families. With your help, we can provide an unforgettable experience for you, our community, and the UNSN Miguel Keith (ESB 5) Sailors!

History

The ship is named in honor of Lance Corporal Miguel Keith, a U.S. Marine Corps Machine Gunner. He was born on June 2nd, 1951, in San Antonio, Texas. His military service began when he joined the Marine Corps on January 21st, 1969, in Omaha, Nebraska. After completing his recruit training at MCRD San Diego, he was assigned to the Third Marine Amphibious Force operating in Vietnam. He was then promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal on April 1st, 1970.

On the morning of May 8, 1970, he was seriously wounded when his platoon was attacked by a greatly outnumbering enemy force in Quang Ngai Province, Republic of Vietnam. Despite his wounds, he continued his vigorous assault against enemy soldiers, successfully killing many enemies, but was mortally wounded. LCPL Keith’s heroic efforts contributed in large measure to his platoon’s success in routing the numerically superior enemy force, and his actions that day awarded him the Medal of Honor.

The Commissioning Week Events

To comply with COVID-19 restrictions, pier space, and the fire marshal, tickets for commissioning the USNS Miguel Keith (ESB 5) will be extremely limited, and there will be no reception. Ship company family members and official guests will have ticket priority. If additional tickets are available, donors will be contacted and given the opportunity to attend the ceremony. We will broadcast the commissioning live on the internet by the U.S. Navy. Below are the following events that will take place during the week.

Sponsor’s Luncheon

• An invitation-only luncheon where the Ship’s Sponsors and her guests have lunch with the Commanding Officer and other crew members followed by a private tour of the ship.

VIP Morning Breakfast

• Attendance is limited to principal participants in the ceremony due to COVID-19 restrictions.
• This is an invitation-only breakfast prior to the Commissioning Event. This breakfast is an opportunity to meet the principal participants in the ceremony, senior Navy, government and community leaders, industry leaders, and other key supporters of the commissioning event. Conducted immediately prior to the actual MIGUEL KEITH (ESB 5) commissioning, attendees are provided a designated parking area and transportation to and from the Commissioning event.

Commissioning Ceremony

• There will be limited attendance due to COVID-19 restrictions.
• Broadcast live on the internet.
• The Commissioning Ceremony for the future USS MIGUEL KEITH (ESB 5) places the ship in active service with the U.S. Navy. A tradition of all navies for centuries, it has been in the United States Navy since its beginning. The commissioning is the final act that marks the entrance of a man-of-war into the naval forces of her nation. It’s the final and perhaps the most significant event of the triad that brings a ship to life; keel laying, launching and christening, and commissioning. When her commissioning pennant breaks to fly from the mast, USS MIGUEL KEITH (ESB 5) becomes a proud ship of the line.

Corporate and Individual Donor Recognition Levels

Corporate Gold ($10,000+)

• Premier Recognition in Commissioning Day Sponsor List
• Personalized Honorary Plank Owner Plaque and Certificate
• 8 USS MIGUEL KEITH (ESB 5) Ball Caps
• 8 Commemorative Commissioning Coins

Corporate Silver ($7500+)

• Preferential Recognition in Commissioning Day Sponsor List
• Personalized Honorary Plank Owner Plaque and Certificate
• 6 USS MIGUEL KEITH (ESB 5) Ball Caps
• 6 Commemorative Commissioning Coins

Chairman’s Circle ($5,000+)

• Priority Recognition in Commissioning Day Sponsor List
• Personalized Honorary Plank Owner Plaque and Certificate
• Personalized Miguel Keith Jacket
• 4 USS MIGUEL KEITH (ESB 5) Ball Caps
• 4 Commemorative Commissioning Coins

Admiral ($1,000+)

• Recognition in Commissioning Day Sponsor List
• Personalized Honorary Plank Owner Plaque and Certificate
• USS MIGUEL KEITH (ESB 5) Ball Cap
• 2 Commemorative Commissioning Coins

Commodore ($500+)

• Recognition in Commissioning Day Sponsor List
• Personalized Honorary Plank Owner Plaque and Certificate
• USS MIGUEL KEITH (ESB 5) Ball Caps
• 2 Commemorative Commissioning Coins

Captain ($250+) 

• Recognition in Commissioning Day Sponsor List
• Personalized Honorary Plank Owner Certificate
• Commemorative Commissioning Coin
• USS MIGUEL KEITH (ESB 5) Ball Cap

Commander ($100+)

• Recognition in Commissioning Day Sponsor List
• Personalized Honorary Plank Owner Certificate
• Commemorative Commissioning Coin

If you’d like to learn more about commissioning the USNS Miguel Keith (ESB 5), please visit www.miguelkeith.org. To become a donor today, you can visit our website or click here.