The guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65) bid farewell to the its commanding officer Capt. Patrick M. Kelly during a change of command ceremony, Nov. 14, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
After approximately three years as commanding officer of Chosin, Kelly was relieved of command by Capt. Kevin M. Brand.
Presiding over the ceremony was Rear Adm. Rick Williams, commander of Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific.
Williams presented Kelly with the Legion of Merit for “exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services as the commanding officer of USS Chosin.”
Before turning over command, Kelly thanked those in attendance and addressed the crew aboard Chosin for the final time.
Under Kelly’s command, Chosin completed a successful deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation and was awarded the Battle “E” Efficiency Award. Chosin also led the recovery efforts of a disabled Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship oil replenishment (HMCS) Protecteur (AOR 509) due to an engine fire on February 27, 2014 that left it dead in the water approximately 200 miles off the coast of Hawaii.
Kelly also led Chosin through various naval exercises including Koa Kai 2014, Rim of the Pacific 2014 and Commander and Carrier Strike Group 11 Task Group Exercise.
Incoming Brand assumed all duties and responsibilities as commanding officer. Brand previously served as Director of the Commander’s Action Group for Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor.
Kelly’s next assignment will be at United States Pacific Command in Hawaii.
Chosin is one of nine surface ships of Commander, Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific. It is the first U.S. Navy warship named in commemoration of the First Marine Division’s heroism at the Chosin Reservoir in the Korean War. The ship’s motto is “Invictus,” Latin for invincible or unconquered.
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Press release, Image: US Navy