YOKOSUKA, Japan -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110) held a change of command ceremony, Aug. 16, at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka.

Cmdr. Dawn C. Allen relieved Cmdr. Andrew J. Klug as the commanding officer aboard William P. Lawrence.

Klug assumed command of William P. Lawrence in May 2018, and will serve his next tour in Stuttgart, Germany, as a joint operations staff member at European Command Headquarters. During his 20-month tour, Klug commanded William P. Lawrence throughout the U.S. 7th and 3rd Fleet areas of responsibility, including operations in the South and East China Seas, Rim of the Pacific, Talisman Sabre, and multiple U.S. and allied exercises.

“Taking command of William P. Lawrence has been an honor and a privilege; we thrive under the tenet of first pass yield and my shipmates impressed me every time. I will forever be in awe of the crew during my time as Commanding Officer. They truly do live by the William P. Lawerence motto: NEVER GIVE IN! “

Allen is a Texas native, and most recently served as executive officer aboard USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110).

William P. Lawrence’s namesake honors Vice Admiral William P. Lawrence, a Navy aviator who was a Vietnam prisoner of war.

Presently, the ship is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. William P. Lawrence is currently assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15.