Navy
Del Toro embarks on the new year by naming 2 future Navy destroyers
Stars and Stripes
January 5, 2025
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro shakes hands with former U.S. Senator, Nebraska Governor and naval officer, Robert Kerrey on Jan. 3, 2025. (Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro via Instagram)
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro last week announced the names of two new Arleigh Burke-class Guided Missile Destroyers, the future USS Robert Kerrey (DDG 146) and USS Intrepid (DDG 145) to start off the new year.
The USS Robert Kerrey honors former Robert Kerrey, a U.S. senator, Nebraska governor and Navy SEAL officer who received the Medal of Honor for heroism displayed during the Vietnam War, according to a Navy news release.
“This will be the first Navy vessel named in his [Kerrey’s] honor, and it is most appropriate we do so, for his actions in Vietnam and his continued service to this country well beyond his naval service,” Del Toro said Saturday.
On Friday, Del Toro and Kerrey met in New York to share the news of the naming of the destroyer.
“My sincere thanks to President Biden, Secretary of the Navy Del Toro and the United States Navy that gave me the opportunity to serve my country for three of the best years of my life,” Kerrey said. “I am very grateful for this recognition.”
Before the meeting with Kerrey on Friday, Del Toro named the future USS Intrepid aboard the former aircraft carrier which shares its namesake at the Intrepid Museum, N.Y.
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announces the future USS Intrepid during a news conference at the Intrepid Museum, N.Y., on Jan. 3, 2025. (Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro via Instagram)
The Intrepid honors the skilled, fearless crews of the four previous Navy ships to bear the name. This will be the fifth vessel named Intrepid, according to a Navy news release.
“It is deeply meaningful to stand aboard USS Intrepid — the fourth vessel to bear the name and whose proud legacy continues to inspire and remind so many visitors of the courage, resilience and sacrifice that define the U.S. Navy — and it is with profound respect that we also look to the future of our Navy from these decks,” Del Toro said.
Del Toro also announced that his wife, Betty Del Toro, will be the sponsor for the future Intrepid.
“I am especially proud to serve as sponsor for a ship whose name embodies American courage and resilience,” said Betty Del Toro. “Having had the honor and opportunity to stand alongside my husband throughout his active duty Navy career and as the 78th Secretary of the Navy, I embrace this new role — one which emphasizes something that is deeply important to me; supporting Navy sailors and Marines, and their families.”
Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are the backbone of the U.S. Navy’s surface fleet providing protection to America around the globe. They incorporate stealth techniques, allowing these highly capable, multi-mission ships to conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence to national security, providing a wide range of warfighting capabilities in air, surface and subsurface domains.