Honoring: YNCS Derrick Law, USN, Ret.

Honored by VADM Carol Pottenger, USN, Ret.

Derrick and I first met when we were stationed in FDNF Japan. He was the admin CPO at Sasebo, and I was the first female CDR of an Expeditionary Strike Group, with my headquarters in Okinawa and my ships at Sasebo. What a godsend from day one of my tour!

Derrick was tireless in the performance of his many responsibilities, essentially everything that needed to be done at the TYCOM HQ of ESG-7. Man/train/equip my eight ship force, ranging from MCMs to LHDs. These ships – and I and my operational staff – never stopped in my two years there, with a vast scope of duties ranging from exercises preparing for MCOs to HADR to Allied operations throughout the theater. Derrick supported my CDR up in Sasebo, CAPT Brian Smith, and it would be nigh impossible to fully cite the outstanding achievements of these two professionals.

I then asked Derrick to come up to my front office to be my flag writer, and he stepped right in as if it was the most natural transition of his life. I depended on him in every aspect imaginable and he always delivered! We have continued to stay in touch - Derrick and his incredible wife Pam have continued to be a “force for good”, including FDNF Europe where Pam serves as a highly respected Navy civilian. BZ YNCS Law!