USS Gravely Holds Change of Command Ceremony

Guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) held a change of command ceremony aboard the ship midway through its maiden deployment, July 7.

Cmdr. Kevin Kennedy relieved Cmdr. David Dry.

Dry asked the crew to continue their excellence under the new leadership.

“I ask that you continue to support each other, and continue to look out for each other because you are what makes Gravely special,” said Dry. “[Gravely] is different because of her crew. I always say look out for yourselves and your shipmates.”

Command Master Chief Yves Raynaud presented Dry with the Meritorious Service Medal Award in recognition of his accomplishments while commanding the Gravely.
After the award presentation, Kennedy spoke to the crew about the opportunity to lead them during their deployment.

“I stand here today in awe of USS Gravely and especially of her crew,” said Kennedy. “I know I am extremely lucky to be here today. I owe a tremendous gratitude to Captain Dry for his tireless efforts.”
Dry’s next assignment will be instructing prospective commanding officers on fundamentals of engineering and maintenance at Surface Warfare Officer School in Newport, R.I.

Gravely, homeported in Norfolk, Va., is on a scheduled deployment supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility.

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Press Release, July 9, 2013; Image: US Navy