SECNAV Del Toro Names Future Destroyer After MoH Recipient Thomas Gunning Kelley - USNI News

The future guided-missile destroyer DDG-140 will be named after Medal of Honor recipient retired Navy Capt. Thomas Gunning Kelley, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announced on Wednesday.

The Flight III Arleigh Burke destroyer will honor Kelley, who received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Vietnam War.

Del Toro announced the naming of the ship during his speech at the Surface Navy Association’s annual symposium on Wednesday. Although Kelley could not attend, Del Toro had him on the phone when he announced the name.

“May we all, and especially the future men and women assigned to the ship, always be inspired by Kelley’s brilliant leadership, bold initiative and resolute determination,” Del Toro said when announcing the name.