U.S. Navy Promoted Kelechi Ndukwe As A Captain, became the first Nigerian-American to command a warship
By Trek Africa Newspaper
The first Nigerian-American to command a United States (US) warship, Kelechi Ndukwe, has been promoted from the position of Commander to Navy Captain by the US Navy.
The chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon Abike Dabiri, disclosed this in a post on her X account on Friday.
She wrote: “A hearty congratulations to Navy Captain Kelechi R Ndukwe, who has been promoted to the rank of Navy Captain from Commander in the US NAVY. He is the first Nigerian American to Command a US warship.”
Born in Columbus, Ohio, to Nigerian immigrants, Ndukwe graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2002 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering. He was commissioned through the Naval ROTC programme after graduating from the US Naval War College with a Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies in 2003.
Ndukwe, thus, became the first Nigerian-American to command a warship.
Afloat, Ndukwe served as an Auxiliaries Officer on USS THORN (DD 988) and Fire Control Officer on USS NORMANDY (CG 60). As a Department Head, he served as a Weapons Officer and Combat Systems Officer on the USS FITZGERALD (DDG 62). Selected for Early Command, he served as Executive Officer of MCM Crew SWERVE embarked on USS DEVASTATOR (MCM 6). He assumed Command of SWERVE and transitioned SWERVE to Permanent Crewing of DEVASTATOR in Bahrain. His most recent assignment was as Executive Officer of USS HALSEY (DDG 97).
Ashore’s assignments include Navy Liaison to the US House of Representatives and Senate, Navy Office of Legislative Affairs as deputy Executive Assistant, Surface Warfare Directorate on Chief of Naval Operations Staff, and Resources and Acquisition Management Office Branch Chief on Joint Staff, J8.
He has won many awards, including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various campaign and unit awards.
