The Arleigh Burke-class guided‑missile destroyer DDG 131 honors Aviation Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class George Milton Neal (1930–2016), a Korean War veteran, Navy Cross recipient and former prisoner of war. DDG 131 is the seventh ship built in the Flight III series.
A native of Springfield, Ohio, Neal served with Helicopter Utility Squadron 1, a rescue unit embarked aboard the Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney during the Korean War. On July 3, 1951, he volunteered to fly deep into mountainous North Korea to rescue Marine Corps Capt. James Wilkins, who had been shot down behind enemy lines. The mission was piloted by Navy Lt. (j.g.) John Kelvin Koelsch.
Severe weather and approaching darkness prevented fighter cover, making the flight exceptionally dangerous. Under intense enemy fire, Neal exposed himself repeatedly while lowering the rescue sling to Wilkins. As he hoisted the injured pilot, enemy fire disabled the helicopter, forcing a crash landing. Neal then helped Koelsch and the badly burned Wilkins evade enemy forces for nine days before all three were captured.
For his heroic actions, Neal received the Navy Cross. His citation praised his endurance, courage, and unwavering dedication to his fellow servicemen, calling his conduct “in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”
Neal was released in 1952 alongside more than 320 fellow POWs, including Wilkins. Lt. (j.g.) Koelsch did not survive captivity and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, becoming the first helicopter pilot to receive the distinction. Neal passed away on December 1, 2016, and is interred at Arlington National Cemetery.