The Navy just revealed the official seal for its newest aircraft carrier

• The crew of the Navy's newest aircraft carrier, the John F. Kennedy, unveiled the ship's official seal honoring the country's 35th president.
• At the end of October, the Kennedy was recently launched from its dry dock. That was three months ahead of schedule, and the new carrier is slated for christening in Newport News on December 7.
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NEWPORT NEWS, Virginia - Capt. Todd Marzano, commanding officer, Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) and his crew officially unveiled the seal of the US Navy's second Ford-class aircraft carrier currently under construction at Newport News Shipbuilding on November 6.

The seal is crafted to integrate elements that honor President John F. Kennedy, his service to the Navy, and his vision for space exploration.

It features 35 stars located around the outer ring that represent John F. Kennedy as our nation's 35th president. The 35th star is positioned after his middle initial and the two gold stars placed between CVN and the number 79 symbolize the fact that this is the second aircraft carrier bearing his name and legacy.

The Roman numeral "CIX" or 109, is a tribute to President Kennedy's heroic naval service as commander of Patrol Boat 109 in the South Pacific. Additionally, the moon backdrop represents President Kennedy's instrumental role in the nation's space program.

"No nation which expects to be the leader of other nations can expect to stay behind in the race for space," said President Kennedy during a September 12, 1962, speech at Rice University on the nation's space effort. "For the eyes of the world now look into space, to the moon and to the planets beyond, and we have vowed that we shall not see it governed by a hostile flag of conquest, but by a banner of freedom and space."

Anchoring these and other elements on the seal is the ship's motto - "Serve with Courage."

"Our motto exemplifies President Kennedy's life," said Marzano. "From the first day of his presidency, he challenged every American during his inauguration speech to 'ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.' He regarded serving one's nation as an honor and held the utmost respect for those who did so with courage, especially when faced with adversity."

"John F. Kennedy displayed extraordinary courage, both in combat as a naval officer, and as president of the United States," said Marzano. "The seal design and ship's motto are a very powerful and fitting way to honor his legacy."

Most recently, on October 29, the ship's dry dock was flooded officially launching the aircraft carrier approximately three months early to the original schedule. PCU John F. Kennedy will be christened at Newport News Shipbuilding-Huntington Hills Industries in Newport News on December 7.

In addition to the unveiling of the seal, and the flooding of the ship's dry dock, other milestones have been completed to include laying of the ship's keel on August 22, 2015, and placement of the 588-metric ton island superstructure on May 29, 2019.