Bentz earns basic historian qualification aboard oldest commissioned warship afloat.

Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Blake Bentz

Bentz earns basic historian qualification aboard oldest commissioned warship afloat.

By SN Mastrolia, USS Constitution Public Affairs.

BOSTON – Ludington native, Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Blake Bentz, earned his basic interpretive historian qualification aboard USS Constitution Thursday, Dec 10.

Duty aboard USS Constitution is one of the Navy’s special programs, and all prospective crew members must meet a high standard of sustained excellence and interview to be selected for the assignment.

“I’m not new to this, I’m true to this,” said Bentz.

Bentz has served in the Navy for five years and his previous duty station was USS Eisenhower (CVN-69).

Bentz is a 2015 graduate of Ludington High School.

USS Constitution, is the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat, and played a crucial role in the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812, actively defending sea lanes from 1797 to 1855.

The active-duty sailors stationed aboard USS Constitution normally provide free tours and offer public visitation to more than 600,000 people each year as they support the ship’s mission of promoting the Navy’s history, maritime heritage, and raising awareness of the importance of a sustained naval presence.

USS Constitution was undefeated in battle and captured or destroyed 33 enemy vessels.

The ship earned the nickname of Old Ironsides during the war of 1812 after British cannonballs were seen bouncing off the ship’s wooden hull.

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