Commander Facing Detachment

December 09, 2009
By MidWeek Staff
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PEARL HARBOR (NNS) - The commander of Destroyer Squadron (CDS) 31 requested Nov. 20 that the former executive officer of USS Chafee (DDG 90) be detached for cause.

Capt. Richard L. Clemmons Jr. requested that Cmdr. Larry Gonzales be detached.

Based on findings from a CDS 31 investigation, the chain of command has lost confidence in Gonzales’s ability to lead and command.

Gonzales had been scheduled to take command of USS Chafee Nov. 20. Instead, the incumbent commanding officer, Cmdr. Heedong Choi, will retain command until arrival of his relief and change of command, anticipated in early spring.

Gonzales, whose relief as executive officer is already aboard Chafee, is being temporarily reassigned to a shore command pending further administrative actions.