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Inouye: Go For Broke!
Story by MC3 Jeremy Lemmon Jr.
From Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs
The Navy’s newest guided-missile destroyer, the future USS Daniel Inouye (DDG 118), is en route to its home port of Pearl Harbor, Hawai’i. The ship, which is scheduled to be commissioned in December, is named for the late Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawai`i.
Inouye, a Japanese-American born and raised in Honolulu as a World War II Medal of Honor recipient. He served as a United States Senator to Hawaii.
“I am incredibly honored to command a ship named after Senator Inouye,” said Cmdr. DonAnn Gilmore, the ship’s commanding officer. “The crew shows many of his traits. He was both a World War II war hero and a man dedicated to serving his country. He’s the son of Hawai`i.”
During the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese military, Inouye provided first aid to victims as a civilian volunteer. As the war continued, the U.S. Army recruited 1,500 Hawai`ian volunteers, leading to Inouye’s enlistment. Inouye was assigned to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, primarily comprised of second-generation Japanese Americans, whose motto was, “Go For Broke!”, which now serves as the ship’s motto.
Through many acts of heroism and unwavering dedication to the mission, resulting in the loss of his arm, Inouye was awarded the Bronze star, two Purple Hearts and a Distinguished Service Cross, which was later upgraded to a Medal of Honor.
In 1947, Inouye was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, but his service to his country continued. When Hawai`i achieved statehood in 1959, Inouye was elected as its first member of the United States House of Representatives. In 1962, he was elected into the U.S. Senate, where he served for nearly 50 years until his death in 2012, the second longest serving senator in U.S. history.
“It’s a huge honor, despite the amount work it takes, to be a part of a pre-commissioning unit.” said Cmdr. Dave Haile, ship’s executive officer.
Haile compared the work ethic and determination of the Sailors aboard Daniel Inouye to the likes of the ship’s namesake.
"The Sailors here and the crew emulate his legacy of service and sacrifice," explained Haile. "These Sailors are selfless."
The future USS Daniel Inouye was built by Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, and set sail on its maiden voyage on Oct. 4. The U.S. Navy has a significant history with the state of Hawai`i, home to the Sailors entombed in the Arizona Memorial, and the ship’s leaders understand the significance of sailing aboard a ship named after someone who embodied Hawai`i’s warrior spirit.
“I’m humbled to lead a crew on a ship named after Senator Inouye,” said Command Master Chief Simeon Yeboah. “This group of Sailors, officers and enlisted, make me proud to bring Daniel Inouye home to Hawai`i.”
The future USS Daniel Inouye is scheduled to be commissioned in Pearl Harbor, Hawai’i, in December as part of events and ceremonies honoring the 80th anniversary of Pearl Harbor.
| Date Taken: | 11.08.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 11.08.2021 16:13 |
| Story ID: | 408924 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 202 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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