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Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

Ship Commissioning

The USS Daniel Inouye was commissioned on December 8, 2021.

A ship's commissioning is the ceremony of placing a ship in active service.

The ceremonies involved are rooted in centuries-old Naval tradition.

USS Daniel Inouye

U.S. Congress

Ship's Commanding Officer

Senator Inouye's Son

Congressman Kai Kahele

Video

Senator Inouye's Son

Ship's Commanding Officer

Senator Inouye's Son

Daniel Ken Inouye, JR,

Video

Ship's Commanding Officer

Ship's Commanding Officer

Ship's Commanding Officer

Commander DonAnn Gilmore

Video

Commissioning Pendant and Long Glass

246 years of Navy Tradition

Video

Crew Members Running Aboard

Navy tradition has crew members run aboard to bring the "ship to life"

To Form A More Perfect Union

December 8, 2021

The US Military went to great lengths to honor a new ship named after the late Senator Daniel K. Inouye from Hawaii.  Inouye was awarded the Medal of Honor for bravely fighting in World War II. The Senator was also a longtime member and Chairman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, where he approved trillions of dollars in defense spending.


The Senator would have been pleased to see today's military drawing its strength from our country's diverse population. We currently have our first Black Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, and our fist Hispanic Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro. When young Dan Inouye enlisted in 1943, America's military was racially segregated. The 442nd Regimental Combat Team was setup for ethnic Japanese Americans who, like negro soldiers, were not allowed to live, work, or fight among white soldiers. President Truman ended military segregation in 1948. Sixteen years later, Dan Inouye was the junior senator from Hawaii

where he played an important role in ending racial discrimination throughout America. President Johnson relied on Senator Inouye to be his point man in passing the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Senator Inouye again worked behind the scenes in 2010 to help President Obama repeal "Don't ask, don't tell," allowing gay people to serve openly in the Armed Forces.


Up to the podium came Senator inouye's only child, his son Daniel Ken Inouye Jr. 

Ken spoke from his heart, informally, without notes. The audience could tell he was channeling his father's wisdom. Ken remembered his father always told him when the issue was really important, to just "Talk Story." You can build bridges by talking story. Ken told us how his father always spoke about the third line in our Constitution, and how our country is always working towards a "more perfect union." His father and others faced discrimination while serving. As we strive for a more perfect union, "what seemed right at one time, may not be just, many years later." The irony wasn't lost on the fact that "a guy who was originally considered unfit for military service because of his race, and classified as 4C was having a ship named after him." Initially, women were not allowed to even serve on war ships of the type that was before us that day. Now, this ship is commanded by a woman.


The USS Daniel Inouye and its remarkable crew is a majestic symbol of our nation striving to form a more perfect union.   -- Gloria C. Borland

On Board with the crew

The Ship's Commander

Ship's Weapons Officer

The Ship's Commander

Commander DonAnn Gilmore

Crew from Hawaii

Ship's Weapons Officer

The Ship's Commander

Chace Bee - Hilo and Tyler Sato - Honolulu

Ship's Weapons Officer

Ship's Weapons Officer

Ship's Weapons Officer

Lieutenant Beatriz Talerico 

DDG 118

Ship's Life Ring

Ship's Life Ring

Ship's Life Ring

Safety

Captain's Bridge

Ship's Life Ring

Ship's Life Ring

The Command

Ship's Bow

Ship's Life Ring

Ship's Bow

Hawaiian Ti Leaf near ship's bow

Video

Sen. Inouye Mementos throughout ship

Mess Galley

Purple Heart

Purple Heart

"Go For Broke" on tables

Purple Heart

Purple Heart

Purple Heart

On the walls is the story of the 442 Regimental Combat Team.

Medals

Purple Heart

Medals

Daniel Inouye medals on display in the crew's mess galley. 


The Ship at Pearl Harbor

December 3, 2021

Local Hawaii themes can be seen everywhere on the Navy's newest ship, the USS Daniel Inouye. The crew's mess is called "ONO KINE GRINDZ" with a banner similar to those found outside a sushi restaurant. Every condiment tray includes a bottle of Aloha Shoyu. 

The 442's slogan "Go For Broke" is incorporated into the ship's logo and found on the crew’s caps and table coverings. Crew members who come from all over the country proudly tell you "Go For Broke" means you always give 110%. Chace Bee from Hilo, who's been in the Navy for 11 years, is grateful to be finally stationed in Hawaii. Chace told me he is inspired by Senator Inouye. "If he can do it, so can I."

-- Gloria C. Borland

Arleigh Burke-class Destroyer

DDG 118

Guided-Missle Destroyer

Guided-Missle Destroyer

USS Daniel Inouye (DDG 118)  Home ported in Pearl Harbor on Nov. 18, 2021


video

Guided-Missle Destroyer

Guided-Missle Destroyer

Guided-Missle Destroyer

Built in Navy shipyard Bath, Maine. 

Christening

Guided-Missle Destroyer

Christening

Ship Christened June 2019

Mast Stepping Ceremony

From his mother

From his mother

From his mother

Sealed inside the ship's mast is a 100-year-old Japanese language Bible that belonged to his mother Kame Inouye.


Podcast

Protect sailors

From his mother

From his mother

Traditions says the items in the time capsule Metal Box bring the ship good luck and protect sailors on their voyages. 

Safe Voyage

From his mother

Safe Voyage

Video excerpts from a similar 

Navy Mast Stepping Ceremony.


video

Battle Flag

The ship’s seal used in the battle flag was designed and gifted by Senator’s daughter-in-law, Jessica Inouye (Ken’s wife) who is serving as a Co-Matron of Honor for the USS Daniel Inouye.



Sugar Cane 

Symbolizes the Senator's immigrant roots and family's beginnings in Hawaii as sugar cane plantation workers.


"GO FOR BROKE" motto & 442 torch 

Central elements of the seal that symbolize the incredible bravery, fighting spirit, and lasting legacy of the 442 Regimental Combat Team that the Senator served in during WWII.



Volcano  

A symbol of Hawaii, where the Senator was born and where the ship will be stationed. The red diamond pattern wrapped around the volcano is a reference to the feathered cloak of King Kamehameha I, the great warrior king who united the Hawaiian islands. This ties in with the ship's warrior theme.

Photo: Crew surrounding their new battle flag.

Follow the Crew on Facebook 

Crew

Copyright © 2016-2023 Sen Inouye Told By His Son - All Rights Reserved.

We Talk Story, Inc. 501 (c) (3) non-profit.

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