US Navy names ship for late Alaska Native veteran

The U.S. Navy is naming a ship after decorated Alaska Native veteran Solomon Atkinson of Metlakatla. The Navy announced plans Monday to name a future Navajo- class towing, salvage and rescue ship — which are traditionally named for prominent Indigenous people and tribes — after Atkinson.

The announcement coincides with Metlakatla Founders Day, commemorating the founding of the community in 1887.

Atkinson was one of the first Navy SEALs. He was deployed to Korea and completed 3 tours in Vietnam, for which he was awarded a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He also was awarded a Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V,” for valor. Among his many acts of service, Atkinson also trained 48 astronauts, including Neil Armstrong, Jim Lovell, and Buzz Aldrin in underwater weightless simulations.

Atkinson was born in Metlakatla in 1930 and raised in Alaska’s only federally recognized Indian reservation. He worked as a commercial fisherman before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1952. A year later, Atkinson volunteered for the underwater demolition teams and became a frogman, the precursor to present day SEALs. In 1962, Atkinson became one of the first Navy SEALs and was a plank owner for SEAL Team 1.

After his retirement from the Navy as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 in 1973, he served on the school board and Indian Community Council, founded the first veterans’ organization on Annette Island, and served as mayor of Metlakatla, among other roles in the community.

Upon his passing in 2019, an honor guard from SEAL Team 1 served as pallbearers at his funeral.

“Chief Warrant Officer 4 Solomon “Sol” Atkinson embodied the spirit of dedication to family, community, and country,” said Rear Admiral Keith Davids, Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command.

“His pioneering role as one of the first U.S. Navy SEALs, and his unwavering commitment to service both in and out of uniform, serves as an inspiration for the entire Naval Special Warfare community. Naming the USNS Solomon Atkinson in his honor is a testament to his remarkable legacy and the enduring impact he has left on NSW, the Navy, and the nation.”

The Navy named Atkinson’s widow, Joann Atkinson, and daughters Michele Gunyah and Maria Hayward as sponsors of the vessel. In that role, they will maintain a relationship with the ship and crew.

Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan recognized Atkinson as “Alaskan of the Week” in a 2017 U.S. Senate floor speech. Sullivan knew Atkinson and called him “a legendary Alaskan and an American hero” in a statement.

“Sol Atkinson was a legendary Alaskan and an American hero, leading an extraordinary life of honor and distinction,” said Senator Sullivan. As a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee (SVAC), Senator Sullivan worked to advocate for the establishment of a VA veterans cemetery in Metlakatla, a community with a long and storied history of military service. Atkinson now rests at the Metlakatla Veterans Memorial Cemetery, which was dedicated in August 2022.

“Atkinson’s achievements as a SEAL have left behind an enduring legacy, not just in the Special Warfare Community, but with our nation’s astronauts as well,” Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said in a statement. “I am pleased to ensure that his name will extend globally to all who views this great ship.”

“Sol was one of our country’s first Navy SEALs, a leading SEAL training instructor, a veteran with three combat tours during the Vietnam War, a recipient of the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart, and a trainer of America’s greatest astronauts. You would never hear Sol brag about his accomplishments and illustrious career because Sol was—as most of the greats are—a truly humble man. Sol also personified the special patriotism manifest in our Alaska Native people, who serve at higher rates in our military than any other ethnic group. I can’t think of an individual who is more deserving of this incredible honor. I look forward to seeing the USNS Solomon Atkinson and its crew out on the water, fueled by Sol’s ‘Mean Machine’ spirit in service to our great nation.”

Navajo-class ships will provide ocean-going tug, salvage, and rescue capabilities to support Fleet operations. The current capabilities are provided by Powhatan-class T-ATF Fleet Tugs and Safeguard-class T-ARS Rescue and Salvage vessels, which began reaching the end of their expected service lives in 2020. Navajo-class ships will be capable of towing U.S. Navy ships and will have 6,000 square feet of deck space for embarked systems.