Next Two NASSCO Fleet Oilers Will Be Named After Navy Chaplains

The next two fleet replenishment oilers built at the NASSCO shipyard in Barrio Logan will be named for Navy chaplains.

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro in one of his last official acts announced Thursday that two future John Lewis-class oilers would be named the USNS Joshua L. Goldberg and USNS Thomas D. Parham Jr.

Goldberg, who lived 1896 to1994, was the first Jewish rabbi to volunteer for naval service in World War II and the first to be promoted to captain.

Parham, who lived 1920 to 2007, was the Navy’s first African American sailor promoted to captain.

“Our Navy chaplains are more than just religious figures — they are beacons of hope, resilience, and unwavering support in the demanding world of naval service,” said Del Toro. “These ships will carry forward their spirit of selfless service and will forever be a recognition of the invaluable contributions of Navy chaplains.”

Goldberg was born in Belarus and drafted into the Russian Army during World War I. He deserted, emigrated to the United States and joined the U.S. Army. He became a rabbi, and when World War II began, volunteered to serve in the Navy. He remained in the Navy after the war, serving in a variety of capacities and retiring in 1960.

Putnam was ordained in 1944 and served in shore assignments during World War II. He returned to active duty during the Korean War, serving in Japan, and then as chaplain to the First Marine Division and aboard the USS Valley Forge. After distinguished service in the Bureau of Personnel, he retired in 1982.

“The heart of the Navy Chaplain Corps mission is to care for Sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, and their families, always focused on serving them. Naming these ships after a couple of heroic chaplains is both humbling and reassuring that we have the support of our military leaders in building the spiritual readiness of our flock,” said Navy’s Chief of Chaplains Rear Adm. Gregory N. Todd.

The announcement followed the tradition of naming John Lewis-class oilers after civil rights leaders. Other ships in the class are named for Harvey Milk, Earl Warren, Robert F. Kennedy, Lucy Stone, Sojourner Truth, Thurgood Marshall, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Harriet Tubman and Dolores Huerta.

NASSCO has built the first five, and has three currently under construction. A total of 20 vessels in the class are planned.

Fleet replenishment oilers are designed to supply fuel to the Navy’s carrier strike groups operating at sea. The oilers can carry 162,000 barrels of jet fuel, diesel fuel and lubricating oil, as well as a significant amount of dry cargo.