USS John P. Murtha

According to a report in the Navy Times, the Navy will name a ship after Rep. John P. Murtha, D-Johnstown, who died Feb. 8 of complications related to gallbladder surgery. The Navy Times got its hands on a memo from Navy Secretary Ray Mabus naming a "amphibious transport dock" for the late chair of the defense appropriations subcommittee.

The report notes that this would be a break in the tradition for San Antonio class warships, which have been named for American cities, and that the pick could be controversial given ethics complaints against Murtha and his controversial comments about Marines in Haditha.

UPDATE: Word is that Secretary Mabus will be in Johnstown next week; it would appear this will be to make the announcement.