A U.S. Navy ship bearing the name of one of New Jersey's greatest war heroes is about to be christened.

A bottle of champagne will be cracked across the bow of the newest Navy destroyer, the U.S.S. John Basilone, on Saturday.

The ship was under construction the last couple years in Maine.

Last week, the destroyer placed into a dry dock before the floodgates were opened.

After the christening, the ship will undergo months of trials at sea and then join the fleet either late this year or early next.

The ship is named for the pride of Raritan Township, John Basilone, the marine who was awarded the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross for heroism in the Pacific during World War II.

Basilone died during the Battle of Iwo Jima.

This Navy destroyer is the second ship named in his honor.

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