Texas Proudly Welcomes the Arrival of USS Kingsville

The Coastal Bend community celebrated a historic moment on Sunday afternoon as the USS Kingsville arrived, marking the first combat ship named after a South Texas city. Kingsville Chamber of Commerce President Manny Salazar, who played a key role in bringing this honor to his hometown, expressed his pride in the achievement.

"This is a great day for Kingsville," Salazar said. "To see a battleship with our city's name on it is something I will never forget."

Kingsville Mayor Sam Fugate emphasized the deep connection between the city and the Navy, noting that many pilots have trained in the Coastal Bend. "Big Navy recognizes how important NAS Corpus Christi and NAS Kingsville are to our defense and national security," Fugate said.

The USS Kingsville carries pieces of South Texas with it, including symbols like a Javelina and street signs from Kingsville. The ship will be commissioned on August 24 and docked at the Port of Corpus Christi until August 26.

Salazar is thrilled to know that, wherever the ship sails, it will proudly represent Kingsville. "It can be anywhere in the world, and folks will see the USS Kingsville. We’ll have pride knowing she's out there," he said. 

USS LEXINGTON

Corpus Christi is also home to the USS Lexington (CV-16), a historic Essex-class aircraft carrier that now serves as a museum ship. Commissioned in 1943, the Lexington played a vital role in World War II and later served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Today, it offers educational exhibits and tours, attracting thousands of visitors each year and showcasing the region’s deep maritime heritage.