WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), a 23-year veteran of the Navy and the Naval Reserves and the only Vietnam veteran still serving in the U.S. Senate, released the following statement regarding the abrupt firing of Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer.

“It has been a privilege to meet and come to know Secretary Spencer and to work with him during his all too brief tenure as Secretary of the Navy. I know I speak for many of my colleagues — both Democrats and Republicans — in thanking him for his exemplary service and to also thank his wife and family for sharing such an extraordinary leader with our country. He has proven to be a stand up leader who always sought to do what’s right, even when it’s not easy. His commitment to order and his oath, even in the face of such strong external pressures, is an example of which sailors stationed around the globe can be proud. His strength of character is in much too short supply these days and will surely be missed. I wish him and his family fair winds and a following sea.”