2010 Loreauville High School graduate and Loreauville native Petty Officer 2nd Class Earl Simon is serving aboard USS New Orleans (LPD 18), one of the Navy’s newest and most advanced amphibious ships, designed to deliver Marines and their equipment to and from war zones.

Simon is a boatswain’s mate aboard the New Orleans, a San Diego-based, San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship. The ship is longer than two football fields at 684 feet, 105 feet wide and weighs more than 24,000 tons. Four diesel engines can push the ship through the water at more than 24 mph.

USS New Orleans is the fourth Navy ship to be named for the city of New Orleans, and is the second vessel in the San Antonio-class of high-tech amphibious assault ships.

As a 23 year-old with numerous responsibilities, Simon said he is learning about himself as a leader, sailor and a person, adding that now is an exciting time to be in the Navy and that serving aboard a ship has truly made him a better person. “The Navy has taught me valuable leadership skills and has provided an atmosphere where different walks of life work together to accomplish our common goals,” said Simon.

Simon is also proud of the work he is doing as part of the New Orleans’ 427-member crew, protecting and defending America on the world’s oceans. “The Navy is America’s defense on the water. We are relevant anytime and anywhere in the world,” Simon explained.

“New Orleans is truly a fine warship and it is our duty to bring her to life,” said Capt. Doug Verissimo, the ship’s commanding officer. “Our Sailors have been working very hard bringing her from a post-deployment repair period to our upcoming tactical integration with our Marine teammates. I feel an unparalleled sense of pride working alongside our nation’s finest.”

As a crewmember on one of the U.S. Navy’s high-tech amphibious assault ships, Simon and other New Orleans sailors are proud to part of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all times.

“I get to do some of the coolest things in the world. I have learned many translatable skills that will help me when I reluctantly leave the Navy,” said Simon.

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