WASHINGTON -- The Secretary of the Navy named the Navy's newest Guided Missile Destroyer after Robert Kerrey over the weekend.

Kerrey is an MoH recipient, former U.S. Navy Seal, U.S. Senator, and Nebraska Governor. 

Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Carlos Del Toro named the Navy's newest Arleigh Burke-class Guided Missile Destroyer, the future USS Robert Kerrey (DDG 146).

Joseph Robert Kerrey was a naval officer, who received the Medal of Honor for heroism that he displayed during the Vietnam War. 

Del Toro said this will be the first Navy vessel named after him. 

“One of the great privileges I have as Secretary of the Navy is to name ships, and it is my honor to name the future USS Robert Kerrey (DDG 146),” said Del Toro. “This will be the first Navy vessel named in his 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.”

“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,” said Senator Kerrey. “I am very grateful for this recognition.”

Kerrey was born in Lincoln in 1943 and entered the Navy in 1966. He completed Officer Candidate School and Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training. 

He was deployed to the Republic of Vietnam in 1969 as a platoon officer with Delta Platoon, SEAL Team 1. 

In 1970, Kerrey received the Medal of Honor, as the first Navy SEAL to get this honor. 

From 1983 to 1987, Kerrey served at the 35th Governor of Nebraska. From 1989 to 2001, he served as a U.S. Senator from Nebraska. Kerrey was also a member of the 9/11 Commission. 

According to Del Toro, Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, built around the Aegis Combat System, are the backbone of the U.S. Navy’s surface fleet providing protection to America around the globe.