Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Orozco, a native of Orofino, is one of more than 60 sailors celebrating America’s 249 years of independence while serving aboard the USS Constitution, the Navy’s oldest commissioned warship.
Andrew Orozco
Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green
Orozco, who serves as a damage controlman, graduated from Orofino High School in 2023.
Launched from a Boston shipyard in October 1797, the Constitution is the only surviving vessel of the Navy’s original six frigates and is the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat. The ship earned the nickname “Old Ironsides” during the War of 1812. Constitution was undefeated in battle and captured or destroyed 33 enemy vessels in its nearly 60 years of active service.
According to the Navy, Constitution’s primary mission now is education and outreach, welcoming more than 500,000 visitors annually. It’s crew is hand-picked to preserve and protect the ship, while promoting naval history, maritime heritage and raising awareness of a sustained naval presence.
