The Navy destroyer USS Daniel Inouye will be sailing by mid-2018, carrying with it the name of a Japanese-American from Hawaii and evoking the heroism of a Medal of Honor recipient and the statesmanship of a 50-year U.S. senator.
The Navy announced Thursday that DDG-118 will bear the late senator’s name.
Inouye was one of the most influential members of the Senate, a tenacious fighter for the betterment of Hawaii and a stalwart military supporter.
The son of a Japanese immigrant father, Inouye was a World War II hero who lost his right arm charging German machine gun nests in Italy but also was denied service in a restaurant because of his race before eventually becoming third in line to the presidency.
Only an aircraft carrier might have more appropriately carried the weight of Inouye’s name, but five of the last six of those have been named for presidents.
Inouye died Dec. 17 of respiratory complications at age 88.
Retired Army Brig. Gen. James Hirai, who spoke at Inouye’s memorial service, said Thursday that the senator represented the diversity and opportunity of America, and the USS Daniel Inouye will bear that forward.
"I think that carrying that name to the diversity of places that I suspect the destroyer will visit, maybe do port visits, participate in many, many exercises with other navies, I think that message will be carried very, very well," said Hirai, now deputy director of the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu.
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced the names of the next two Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers — one honoring Inouye and the other a former naval secretary, Paul Ignatius.
"As secretary of the Navy it is my privilege to name these ships to honor a respected naval leader and a true American hero," Mabus said. "For decades to come the future USS Paul Ignatius and USS Daniel Inouye will represent the United States and enable the building of partnerships and projection of power around the world."
Ignatius served as secretary of the Navy from 1967 to 1969 and as assistant secretary of defense under President Lyndon Johnson.
Inouye’s Distinguished Service Cross was upgraded to the Medal of Honor in 2000 for his actions on the battlefield in the vicinity of San Terenzo, Italy, in 1945.
Irene Hirano Inouye, the late senator’s wife, said the naming of the destroyer "is a wonderful tribute, and I would like to thank Secretary Mabus, the U.S. Navy and the Department of Defense for this high honor. Dan always adamantly refused when anyone suggested naming anything after him, but he would have been deeply humbled by this."
She added that as a World War II combat veteran, "the brave men and women of our armed forces held a special place in Dan’s heart, and he dedicated much of his life to providing for their safety and well-being. It is very fitting that a vessel bearing his name will continue to keep our troops and our nation safe."
U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said in a release that Mabus had called her confirming the plan.
"Secretary Mabus informed me that he had tried to name a ship after (the) senator while he was still alive, and knowing (the) senator, he wanted no part of it," Hanabusa said. "The Arleigh Burke-class is considered the strongest, most advanced surface ship in the world, responsible for multiple missions that ensure naval supremacy. This is a fitting tribute to Sen. Inouye, whose own strength and determination inspired so many of us. Our Navy will be proud to have a ship bearing his name deployed throughout the world, continuing to fight and defend us."
U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, who was appointed to Inouye’s Senate seat by Gov. Neil Abercrombie, said the naming of the destroyer "appropriately honors his life and dedication to service during Pearl Harbor, World War II and throughout his 58 years in elected office serving the state of Hawaii."
Hanabusa is running for Schatz’s Senate seat.
"Sen. Inouye inspired us all by his lifelong dedication to the service of the people of Hawaii and our country," U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said in a statement. "It is only fitting that we honor and memorialize his legacy. For decades to come, the USS Daniel Inouye will bear the name of one of our most distinguished soldiers from our greatest generation and will serve as a constant reminder of Hawaii’s own iconic American hero."
DDG-118, the destroyer that will bear Inouye’s name, is on contract to be built at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, Hanabusa said. The ship is expected to be delivered in mid-2018.
The Navy said the warship will have advanced mine-avoidance capability, a pair of hangars for two MH-60 Seahawk helicopters, blast-hardened bulkheads and advanced networked systems. The ships are 509 feet long, have a beam of 59 feet and are capable of operating at speeds over 30 knots (34.5 mph).
Arleigh Burke-class destroyers conduct a variety of operations from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection. They are capable of fighting air, surface and subsurface battles simultaneously and contain a myriad of offensive and defensive weapons designed to support maritime warfare.
