U.S. Navy Ship Named for Cesar Chavez

SAN DIEGO (AP) - The military has christened its newest cargo-ammunition ship for civil rights leader and labor activist Cesar Chavez, who served in the Navy during World War II.

The Los Angeles Times reports  a champagne bottle was broken over the ship's bow during a ceremony Saturday night at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego.

The 689 foot vessel will join the Military Sealift Command and bring ammunition, food, fuel and other supplies to U.S. ships at sea. The ship's sponsor is Chavez's widow, Helen Fabela Chavez.

Chavez joined the Navy in 1944 at age 17 and served for two years.

He led United Farm Workers union grape boycotts and raised awareness of the plight Hispanic agricultural workers.