Capt. Chavius G. Lewis had commanded the USS Mason since November 2024. (U.S. Navy)
The commander of the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Mason was relieved of duty Friday, service officials announced without providing specific details about the decision.
Capt. Chavius G. Lewis, who had commanded the ship since November 2024, was fired by Rear Adm. Alexis T. Walker, the commander of Carrier Strike Group 10, “due to a loss of confidence in Lewis’ ability to command,” according to a Navy news release. The Navy — like the Pentagon’s other military services — often cites “a loss of confidence” when relieving leaders of responsibilities without providing a specific explanation.
“The Navy maintains the highest standards for leaders and holds them accountable when those standards are not met,” the service said in the announcement. Navy officials declined to provide further details about Lewis’ removal.
Lewis has been temporarily reassigned to Naval Surface Group Southeast. Navy Capt. Kevin Hoffman has been named the Mason’s commanding officer, according to the service.
The ship in 2023 and 2024, before Lewis assumed command, saw significant action in the Middle East, where it responded to the Iran-backed Houthi rebels’ attacks on international shipping lanes from their strongholds in Yemen. The ship was credited with shooting down multiple Houthi attack drones and striking Houthi targets with cruise missiles during that campaign.
USS Mason is currently conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise in the northern Atlantic Ocean to prepare for another potential deployment. Navy officials said Lewis’ removal “does not impact the ship’s mission or schedule.”
Lewis, a surface warfare officer, is a graduate of Georgia Southern University and commissioned via Officer Candidate School in 2000, according to his Navy biography. He has served aboard numerous Navy ships and previously commanded the littoral combat ships USS Sioux City and USS Wichita.
