KINGS BAY, Ga. – Lt. j.g. Daniel Duong, a native of Houston, Texas, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS West Virginia at Naval Submarine Base (NSB) Kings Bay.
As a submariner, Duong is part of a small percentage of Navy personnel continuing a 125-year tradition of service under the sea to help ensure Americans’ safety.
Duong graduated from Langham Creek High School in 2017. Additionally, Duong graduated from Texas A&M University at Galveston in 2022 with a bachelor's degree in marine engineering technology.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Houston.
“My mother and father worked multiple jobs to make ends meet after immigrating to support me," Duong said. "This taught me to have a strong work ethic, which I brought over into the Navy. Each and every day, I kept pushing harder and learning more to support the boat, but not only that, to also support the fleet."
Duong joined the Navy two years ago.
"My grandfather on my mother's side served in the South Vietnam Navy, and my grandfather on my father's side was working with the U.S Army Intelligence during the Vietnam War," Duong said. "Afterwards, my family immigrated from Vietnam to the United States to escape communism. I want to repay the United States for providing the opportunity to my family to settle here by commissioning into the Navy."
NSB Kings Bay is the homeport of East Coast ballistic-missile and guided-missile submarines. These submarines are capable of conducting operations in the Atlantic, Arctic, Eastern Pacific, and Indian Oceans and the Mediterranean Sea. NSB Kings Bay is also the only Navy base with the capability to support the Trident II missile, the most sophisticated nuclear missile designed to be launched from a submarine.
Known as America’s “Apex Predators,” the Navy’s submarine force operates a large fleet of technologically advanced vessels. These submarines are capable of conducting rapid defensive and offensive operations around the world, in furtherance of U.S. national security.
There are three basic types of submarines: fast-attack submarines (SSN), ballistic-missile submarines (SSBN) and guided-missile submarines (SSGN).
Fast-attack submarines are designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare. The Virginia-class SSN is the most advanced submarine in the world today. It combines stealth and payload capability to meet Combatant Commanders’ demands in this era of strategic competition.
The Navy’s ballistic-missile submarines, often referred to as “boomers,” serve as a strategic deterrent by providing an undetectable platform for submarine-launched ballistic missiles. SSBNs are designed specifically for stealth, extended patrols and the precise delivery of missiles. The Columbia-class SSBN will be the largest, most capable and most advanced submarine produced by the U.S. – replacing the current Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines to ensure continuous sea-based strategic deterrence into the 2080s.
Guided-missile submarines provide the Navy with unprecedented strike and special operation mission capabilities from a stealthy, clandestine platform. Each SSGN is capable of carrying 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, plus a complement of heavyweight torpedoes to be fired through four torpedo tubes.
Strategic deterrence is the nation’s ultimate insurance program, according to Navy officials. As a submariner, Menjura is part of a small percentage of Navy personnel serving aboard a platform capable of bringing the fight to enemies in defense of America and its allies.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Duong has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
"I am most proud of earning my 'gold dolphins,' or submarine warfare insignia, while helping the sailors under my charge in the Auxiliary Division achieve their goals," Duong said.
Duong serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
"Serving in the Navy gave me a chance to build my professional development and defend my loved ones," Duong said. "It has also created camaraderie between the entirety of the crew. There is not one person whom we can work without. We use the support of every division to keep the boat working and completing the mission."
Duong is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
"I want to thank my wife, Riley Duong, for being the strongest woman I have ever known and being the main foundation in my life," Duong added. "I also want to thank my cousin, Anh Scott, in Norfolk, Virginia, for inspiring me to go into the nuclear field in the Navy. Last, but not least, my mother and father deserve praise for the support and hard work that helped me get where I am today."
As a submariner, Duong is part of a small percentage of Navy personnel continuing a 125-year tradition of service under the sea to help ensure Americans’ safety.
Duong graduated from Langham Creek High School in 2017. Additionally, Duong graduated from Texas A&M University at Galveston in 2022 with a bachelor's degree in marine engineering technology.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Houston.
“My mother and father worked multiple jobs to make ends meet after immigrating to support me," Duong said. "This taught me to have a strong work ethic, which I brought over into the Navy. Each and every day, I kept pushing harder and learning more to support the boat, but not only that, to also support the fleet."
Duong joined the Navy two years ago.
"My grandfather on my mother's side served in the South Vietnam Navy, and my grandfather on my father's side was working with the U.S Army Intelligence during the Vietnam War," Duong said. "Afterwards, my family immigrated from Vietnam to the United States to escape communism. I want to repay the United States for providing the opportunity to my family to settle here by commissioning into the Navy."
NSB Kings Bay is the homeport of East Coast ballistic-missile and guided-missile submarines. These submarines are capable of conducting operations in the Atlantic, Arctic, Eastern Pacific, and Indian Oceans and the Mediterranean Sea. NSB Kings Bay is also the only Navy base with the capability to support the Trident II missile, the most sophisticated nuclear missile designed to be launched from a submarine.
Known as America’s “Apex Predators,” the Navy’s submarine force operates a large fleet of technologically advanced vessels. These submarines are capable of conducting rapid defensive and offensive operations around the world, in furtherance of U.S. national security.
There are three basic types of submarines: fast-attack submarines (SSN), ballistic-missile submarines (SSBN) and guided-missile submarines (SSGN).
Fast-attack submarines are designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare. The Virginia-class SSN is the most advanced submarine in the world today. It combines stealth and payload capability to meet Combatant Commanders’ demands in this era of strategic competition.
The Navy’s ballistic-missile submarines, often referred to as “boomers,” serve as a strategic deterrent by providing an undetectable platform for submarine-launched ballistic missiles. SSBNs are designed specifically for stealth, extended patrols and the precise delivery of missiles. The Columbia-class SSBN will be the largest, most capable and most advanced submarine produced by the U.S. – replacing the current Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines to ensure continuous sea-based strategic deterrence into the 2080s.
Guided-missile submarines provide the Navy with unprecedented strike and special operation mission capabilities from a stealthy, clandestine platform. Each SSGN is capable of carrying 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, plus a complement of heavyweight torpedoes to be fired through four torpedo tubes.
Strategic deterrence is the nation’s ultimate insurance program, according to Navy officials. As a submariner, Menjura is part of a small percentage of Navy personnel serving aboard a platform capable of bringing the fight to enemies in defense of America and its allies.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Duong has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
"I am most proud of earning my 'gold dolphins,' or submarine warfare insignia, while helping the sailors under my charge in the Auxiliary Division achieve their goals," Duong said.
Duong serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
"Serving in the Navy gave me a chance to build my professional development and defend my loved ones," Duong said. "It has also created camaraderie between the entirety of the crew. There is not one person whom we can work without. We use the support of every division to keep the boat working and completing the mission."
Duong is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
"I want to thank my wife, Riley Duong, for being the strongest woman I have ever known and being the main foundation in my life," Duong added. "I also want to thank my cousin, Anh Scott, in Norfolk, Virginia, for inspiring me to go into the nuclear field in the Navy. Last, but not least, my mother and father deserve praise for the support and hard work that helped me get where I am today."