Moffett drove a ceremonial golden rivet into Akron's structure, Secretary of the Navy Charles Francis Adams selected the name, and First Lady Lou Henry Hoover sponsored the launch. Lieutenant Commander Charles Rosendahl became the first commanding officer. After commissioning in October 1931, Akron made a long-distance maiden voyage in November, accumulated more than 300 hours aloft, and completed a 46-hour round trip to Mobile. Its flight with 207 people over Washington was intended to demonstrate rapid reinforcement of distant possessions rather than carry sightseers. These events made the airship a nationally visible naval experiment with a potential military-airlift role.
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Akron enters service as a national naval project
Akron's launch, commissioning, and high-profile passenger flights show the political importance attached to the new naval airship.