USS DANIEL INOUYE HOLDS CHANGE OF COMMAND CEREMONY

by Courtesy Story

05 May 2023 CA, UNITED STATES -- Cmdr. Kevin M. Dore relieved Cmdr. David Y. Haile as commanding officer of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Daniel Inouye (DDG 118), during a change of command ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

The ceremony marked the end of Haile’s 29-month long tenure as executive officer of DDG 118 during its pre-commissioning phase, followed by his 16-month tour as commanding officer of Daniel Inouye. Under Haile’s leadership, USS Daniel Inouye completed all post-commissioning preparations and certifications, to include combat systems ship’s qualification trials, post shakedown availability, and the high-visibility execution of an AEGIS Ballistic missile defense test exercise. His steady guidance and leadership successfully guided the ship through its basic phase, leaving the ship ready to take on advanced phase and its pending deployment in the capable hands of Dore.

Haile, from Hudson, Ohio graduated and received his commission from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2003 with a bachelor of science in naval architecture. He has served as USS Daniel Inouye’s executive officer since August 2019 and as commanding officer since January 2022. “Commanding this ship and its outstanding crew has been the honor of my lifetime,” said Haile. “It has been both humbling and rewarding to be able to carry on the proud legacy of Senator Daniel Inouye, and I know the ship and the crew will continue to do great things in true “Go for Broke” style.”

A native of Saratoga Springs, New York, Dore graduated from the Pennsylvania State University in 2004 and received his commission via the NROTC Program. He has served as USS Daniel Inouye’s executive officer since December 2021. “It is a true privilege to lead the crew of Daniel Inouye,” said Dore. “I am humbled by the talent, the “Go for Broke” attitude and drive of this crew and look forward to what lies ahead,” said the new commanding officer.

USS Daniel Inouye (DDG 118) is named after the late U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye, who served as a Hawaii representative in the Senate from 1963 until he died in 2012. Inouye also served in the U.S. Army’s 442nd Regimental Combat Team, which is one of the most decorated military units in U.S. history. For his combat heroism, which cost him his right arm in Italy during World War II, Inouye was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Senator Inouye’s life is one to be emulated and the crew of this warship will not only be inspired by his legacy, but will stand the watch with the honor and dignity deserving of a ship bearing his name. We embody the ship's motto, “Go for Broke,” a battle cry adopted from the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. The crew carries on the legacy of commitment, perseverance, and integrity that Daniel Inouye displayed on the battlefield and in halls of the Senate, while upholding the title as “Hawaii’s ship.”

The ship arrived in its homeport of Pearl Harbor on November 18, 2021 and was commissioned on December 8, 2021. USS Daniel Inouye is assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 23 as well as Carrier Strike Group Nine.