USS Sampson Conducts Change of Command Ceremony

The guided missile destroyer USS Sampson (DDG 102) conducted a change of command ceremony while in homeport at Naval Base San Diego, Nov. 22.

Cmdr. Steven Foley, who has been the ship’s executive officer since September, relieved Cmdr. Dwayne Ducommun as commanding officer of Sampson during a ceremony on the ship’s flight deck.

During Ducommun’s 18-months as commanding officer, the ship completed a Western Pacific deployment in 2012, received exemplary marks during a 2013 material inspection by the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey and was awarded the Arizona Memorial trophy.

Under Ducommun’s leadership, four officers completed their surface warfare officer qualification, nine Sailors advanced to the rank of chief petty officer and 47 Sailors reenlisted for additional naval service.

Ducommun’s next assignment will be on the staff of Commander, Carrier Strike Group One, in San Diego.

Foley, a prior senior chief sonar technician, received his commission under the limited-duty officer program and then laterally transferred into the unrestricted line community. His previous sea duty assignments include serving as the executive officer of USS Laboon (DDG 58) as well as duty aboard USS Normandy (CG 60) and USS Porter (DDG 78).

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Press Release, November 25, 2013; Image: US Navy