By Lee Egerstrom
Minnesota state and White Earth Nation officials were on hand Feb. 21 in Washington, D.C. when the U.S. Navy announced it is naming a future ship for James D. Fairbanks, formerly with the Navy and Marines, who born and raised near Pine Point on the White Earth reservation.
Highly decorated during his military career, Fairbanks died at age 59 in 2011 after retiring from the Navy. He had served as the highest ranking enlisted man with the Navy’s Seabees and was their Force Master Chief Petty Officer.
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro presided at the naming ceremony at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington. Several family members, including Fairbanks’ wife, Denise; sister Paulette Fairbanks Molin, and White Earth Nation Chairman Michael Fairbanks, a cousin, participated at the ceremony.
Representing the state were Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and another White Earth Nation member, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.
Fairbanks’ accomplishments and role model career were cited in remarks supplied to media by the Navy and in Governor Walz’s weekly news briefing.
“The names of thousands of indigenous heroes who have served with distinction in our military – and especially our Navy and Marine Corps – echo and inspire us still,” Secretary Del Toro said.
The ship to be named the James D. Fairbanks is what the Navy calls a Navajo-class ship “and will carry his legacy of service forward and symbolize his dedication to the Seabees and our nation,” he said.
That class of ship is used in towing, salvage and rescue operations by the Navy fleet.
White Earth Chairman Michael Fairbanks described his honored relative as an “Ogiichidaa, a Warrior for our People – the Anishinaabeg, and the citizens of the United States.” As reported by Minnesota Public Radio, he added, “Due to his exemplary leadership, he has earned the right to have a ship named after him.”
Governor Walz made the ceremony a salute for all Minnesotans. “We are grateful to celebrate this connection between the U.S. Navy, the White Earth Nation, and the State of Minnesota,” he said. “Sailors who call Minnesota home are standing a little taller today.”
Flanagan called it an honor to participate in this ceremony for her fellow White Earth member.
“Native Americans have long served at the highest per capita rate in the military, and this honor bestowed on Force Master Chief Fairbanks also honors the service and sacrifices made by all Native Americans who serve, and have served in our military,” she said.
Fairbanks initially joined the Marines after graduating from Park Rapids High School, then worked as a welder after that tour of duty was served. He later joined the Navy, again worked as a welder, and then rejoined the Navy to close out his military career.
While serving during the Iraq War (2003-2011), Fairbanks was awarded the Bronze Star among numerous commendation metals.
News media accounts from the Washington ceremony reported Paulette Fairbanks Molin as saying her brother would redirect attention from himself “to others, especially the troops, as well as to the work before us.”
Biographical material would support what she said. Before retiring, Fairbanks served as Command Master Chief, Naval Construction Battalion Center (Seabees) at Gulfport, Miss. While living there with his wife Denise, he helped open a Gulfport Armed Forces Retirement Home in 2010.
