Green Bay native to serve on city's namesake Navy ship

GREEN BAY - USS Green Bay officials believe 22-year-old Tim Mahoney will be the first Green Bay native to serve on the new ship.

Mahoney is leaving Green Bay next weekend to serve on the USS Green Bay, which is stationed in San Diego.

The Navy warship was commissioned in southern California in January of 2009. Its primary mission is to transport Marine equipment and troops.

Mahoney recently graduated from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He said he was known for being from Green Bay at the academy.

“All of my roommates made fun of me at school because my desk was completely covered in Packers stuff and cheese heads,” said Mahoney.

It didn't take a roommate to know that Mahoney is a Packers backer. He often proudly sported his cheese head at Navy football games, as part of the drum line.

It didn't come as much of a surprise to his peers when Mahoney decided what ship he would serve on after graduation.

“When they found out I was going to the Green Bay they rolled their eyes,” said Mahoney of his roommates’ reaction to him choosing the U.S.S. Green Bay.

At first, Mahoney's spot on the Green Bay wasn't a sure thing. The Navy has an event similar to the NFL draft where soon to be graduates pick the ship they'll serve on based on class rank. Mahoney had the 37th pick out of 250 Naval Officers. With only one spot available on the US.S. Green Bay, he had to make sure no one ahead of him selected his ship.

“I saw that there was one guy who was kind of looking at the Green Bay for his first choice ship, so I went to him and I talked to him and explained how I'm from Green Bay and it would mean a lot if he stayed away from it,” said Mahoney.

Luckily for Mahoney, the spot remained open. He proudly made his pick, sporting his favorite head wear, a cheese head.

“I wasn't supposed to do that, but it was worth it,” said Mahoney.

Mahoney will serve two years on the U.S.S. Green Bay. He says he is excited to serve on a ship decked out as his hometown, but he also feels added pressure being from Green Bay.

“It’s definitely a lot of pride, but with that pride comes a lot of responsibility of representing the city well,” said Mahoney.

And just in case, any of his fellow Sailors don't know where Mahoney is from, he is planning on bringing his cheese head aboard the ship.