LCS-31 is the fourth ship to bear the name USS Cleveland.   This ship is the 16th and final Freedom Class Littoral Combat ship.  The commissioning was fittingly conducted in the ship's namesake city, Cleveland, Ohio.    The Honorable Hung Cao, Secretary of the Navy, was the keynote speaker at the commissioning ceremony.  

The ship arrived at North Coast Harbor (at the end of East 9th Street,) in downtown Cleveland, OH, on May 9, 2026, at approximately 11am, to much fanfare.   She will moored on the north quay wall, directly behind the Great Lakes Science Center for the week.  LPD-7 alumni participated in the pier-side Honor Guard ceremony as the ship pulled into the harbor. 

Some of our LPD‑7 alumni assisted as volunteers for the USS Cleveland commissioning.  We spent most of our time at the Historical booth telling sea stories.  Other activities included:

Downtown Cleveland Walking Tour, Thursday (Morning), May 14, Tim and Mary-Louise Daley organized a guided walking tour of downtown Cleveland.  We started out at City Hall, where we were able to see the C-19 & LPD-7 ship's bells, along with the CL-55 ship's bell. We were also treated to an insider's tour of the Soldier Sailor statue.  Then concluded with a great lunch at the Flat Iron Grill, in the Cleveland Flats area. 

NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame, May 15, Friday Morning was a road trip to Canton, OH.  We spent the morning perusing the NFL's most prominent historical figures.  We concluded with lunch at Rooster's Wings in Canton. 

Operation Cleveland Commission-EX '26, Friday Evening, May 15.    Thanks to the Solid Gold Lounge, just a few miles from the hotel, we found some time to gather, have some food, share sea stories and listen to some live music featuring one of our own LPD-7 alumni.  (Brian) Keith Adams & The Sundown Band has been a staple of the Ohio tri‑state music scene for more than 30 years. This five‑member group delivered crowd‑pleasing versatility—country, classic rock, Motown, bluegrass, blues, and more. It was really special to have one of our own providing entertainment for our gathering.  

Commissioning, Saturday May 16, 10am - Former LPD-7 crewmembers were seating in a reserved section and were called out during the commissioning ceremony. 

Ship Tours.  Ship tours occurred all week, including the day of the commissioning.

Guardians vs Reds Baseball Game, Saturday evening, May 16 - It was Armed Forces Night at Progressive field.  Veterans were invited to come down to the field during the national anthem.   Cleveland won!