WASHINGTON (WOWT) – U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announced that the Navy’s newest guided-missile destroyer will be named after a former Nebraska politician.
In a statement released Saturday, the Secretary of the Navy announced that the newest Arliegh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer will be named USS Robert Kerrey.
Kerrey, former governor of Nebraska from 1983 to 1987 and senator representing Nebraska from 1989 to 2001, also received the Medal of Honor for his service as a Navy SEAL during the Vietnam War.
“One of the great privileges I have as Secretary of the Navy is naming ships, and it is my honor to name the future USS Robert Kerrey (DDG 146),” said Secretary Del Toro. “This will be the first Navy ship named in his honor, and it is entirely appropriate that we do so, for his actions in Vietnam and his continued service to this country well beyond his naval service.”
According to the release, Secretary Del Toro and former Senator Kerrey met Friday in New York, after Del Toro named the ship during a ceremony at the Intrepid Museum.
“My sincere thanks to President Biden, Secretary of the Navy Del Toro, and the United States Navy for giving me the opportunity to serve my country for three of the best years of my life,” said Senator Kerrey. “I am very grateful for this recognition.”
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