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USS Fitzgerald commanding officer temporarily relieved

USS Fitzgerald commanding officer temporarily relieved
Posted at 10:43 AM, Jul 12, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-12 13:43:31-04

The USS Fitzgerald's commanding officer was relieved temporarily due to injuries he suffered when the Navy ship collided with a vessel off the coast of Japan.

According to USNI News, Cmdr. Bryce Benson will be temporarily replaced as the USS Fitzgerald's commanding officer by Cmdr. John Fay. Benson was relieved by Capt. Jeffrey Bennett, commodore, Destroyer Squadron 15.

Benson was injured in the June 17 collision with a Philippine-flagged merchant ship that left seven sailors dead, including two from the San Diego area.

The USS Fitzgerald has been moved to drydock for repairs at its homeport of Yokosuka, Japan.

An investigation into the crash is ongoing.