Cmdr. Edward “Ted” J. Pledger relieved Cmdr. James Von St. Paul as commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) in front of family, friends, special guests, and crew members during a change of command ceremony May 2 at Vista Point Center on Naval Station Norfolk.

Cmdr. Von St. Paul, a native of Clark, New Jersey, and graduate of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps unit, joined Cole in April 2016 as the executive officer. He assumed command Oct. 13, 2017 leading Cole through a Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV), support of national tasking, Composite Training Unit Exercise and a 14-month Extended Dry Dock Selected Restricted Availability (EDSRA).

“It has been my distinct honor and privilege to lead this amazing crew as their commanding officer,” Von St. Paul said as he reminisces about his time onboard Cole. “Over the past 18 months, I have been inspired by their toughness, commitment to each other, and dedication to mission accomplishment. This crew is truly the best and brightest our country has to offer.”

Cole’s shipyard time has been marked by on time completion of major milestones and a stellar safety record. “The crew’s sustained excellent performance continues into our current EDSRA. The entire team is committed to maintaining ownership of Cole while remaining focused on returning Cole to sea on time and ready for operational tasking. I couldn’t be more proud of their efforts and dedication,” Von St. Paul said.

Pledger is a 2000 graduate of the United States Naval Academy with follow on education at the Army Command and General Staff College and the University of Mississippi. His assignments at-sea include tours aboard USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54), USS Chafee (DDG 90), and USS Decatur (DDG 73). He served as executive officer of MCM Crew Exultant and subsequently as commanding officer where he commanded USS Warrior (MCM 10), USS Dextrous (MCM 13) and USS Chief (MCM 14). He also served as commanding officer of MCM Crew SPARTAN where he commanded USS Champion (MCM 4) and USS Sentry (MCM 3). He previously served as Cole’s executive officer.

He said, "Cole is a fantastic ship with a superb crew. I'm excited and honored to be part of a team of such dedicated professionals."

USS Cole was commissioned in 1996 and is the first warship named after Marine Sgt. Darrell S. Cole (1920-1945). Sgt. Cole posthumously received the United States’ highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his service at the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II.

USS Cole is remembered for the terrorist attack that occurred Oct. 12, 2000 while the crew conducted refueling operations at anchor in the harbor of Aden, Yemen.

For more information on USS Cole, visit the ship’s Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy.