USNS Bob Hope. The Bob Hope is first ship in the "Hope" class of rollon/rolloff transports. The USNS Benavidez will be very similiar. The ship is 950 feet long, 106 feet wide, 92 feet deep, drawing 35 feet in the water. It has a speed in excess of 24 knots at 90% power. Endurance 13,000 nautical miles. The normal crew of is 95 in peacetime.

Benito Guerrero, ASWAA Commander, presents a minature bonded bronze bust of Roy Benavidez and wall plaque to the ship bearing Roy's name. Captain David Vogel accepted the gift on behalf of the Navy. MABS Photo

Major General Kenneth Privratsky. General Privratsky addressed the honored guests and audience on behalf of the Military Traffic Management Command. MABS photo.

Denise Prochazka. Roy Benavidez's daughter, Denise Prochazka, addresses the guests and dignitaries at the christening ceremony for the USNS Benavidez. MABS Photo.

Matron of Honor. Denise Prochavka, Roy Benavidez's daughter presents a gift to the USNS Benavidez on behalf of her family which is accepted here by Captain David J. Vogel. MABS photo.

Sgt. Major Benito Guerrero, US Army (retired) addressed the guests and dignitaries, at the christening of the USNS Benavidez. MABS photo.

Hilaria Benavidez, with her two daughters Yvette Garcia, and Denise Prochazka (right) at her side, swings a small ax, cutting a ribbon that released a bottle of champagne to break against the hall of the ship behind her. As she cut the ribbon she proclaimed "I christen thee the Benavidez".

Former Warrant Officer Gerald Ewing. Gerald Ewing represented the 240th Assault Helicopter Company at the christening of the Benavidez. Ewing was a helicopter pilot who repeatedly risked his life and his flight crew to extract Roy Benavidez and the survivors of Leroy Wright's recon team on May 2, 1968. Roy Benavidez stayed in touch with men like Gerald Ewing as he considered them the true heroes of that day. MABS photo.

Benavidez Family and Official Party. Photo: Northrup Grummon.

Bow View - USNS Benavidez. MABS Photo

Bow On View - USNS Benavidez. MABS Photo

Superstructure - USNS Benavidezs. Wall of the floating drydock is parallel to the hull in the forground.

Stern water level loading ramp. USNS Benavidez seen from the aft end in the floating drydock. The huge ramp can be used to unload to a dock, or for launching and recovering amphibious vehicles directly into the water. MABS Photo.

Alamo Silver Wings Airborne Association. Ruben Dominguez, commander of the Alamo Silver Wings Airborne Association salutes during the singing of the National Anthem by Miss Georgia Barraza of Houston. The ASWAA provided the color guard for the ceremony. MABS photo.

Color Guard. Member of the Alamo Silver Wings Airborne Association, part of the color guard for the ceremony - one of San Antonio's "Elite" MABS photo

Mrs. Nancy Pless. Mrs. Pless the mother of the late Major Stephen Pless, USMC, Medal of Honor recipient, (right), with friend Mrs. Bob Chiasa. Mrs. Pless attended the christening of the Benavidez as a guest of the US Navy and as a member of the Roy P. Benavidez Memorial Advisory Group. During the christening ceremony she was introduced as an honored guest.

Many years prior to this event she attended a similar ceremony in San Diego for the christening of the USS. Major Stephen W. Pless. MABS photo.

Benavidez Friends. Sergeant Major and Mrs. Eldon A. "Buddy" Gee, USA. Retired. The Gee's traveled from Birminghan, Alabama for the christening of the Benavidez. He and Roy Benavidez were close friends for many years. MABS photo.

Sister Elizabeth Reibschlaeger. Sister Elizabeth, a friend of Roy Benavidez since his childhood, traveled from Cuero, Texas, to New Orleans for the christening ceremony and official receptions. Behind sister Elizabeth is Yvette Benavidez Garcia, one of Roy's two daughters. MABS photo.

Jose Garcia documents proceedings in New Orleans during the various formal events associated with the christening. Garcia was a long time friend of Roy Benavidez and traveled with him on many of his public speaking trips. Garcia is a director of the Roy P. Benavidez Foundation. MABS photo.