Navy to name cargo plane after late Sen. Inouye

The U.S. Navy will name a cargo aircraft after the late Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii).

{mosads}The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports that a C-17 Globemaster will be dedicated in Inouye’s honor during a ceremony on Wednesday at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii. The aircraft will be dubbed the “Spirit of Daniel Inouye.”

The Navy in 2013 announced that it would name one of its new destroyers after the lawmaker, who died in 2012 at the age of 88. The ship is expected to be delivered to the Navy in 2018.

Inouye was awarded the Medal of Honor by then-President Clinton for his actions in Italy during World War II.

Inouye’s legacy has been in the spotlight in recent weeks as Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D-Hawaii) battle it out in the state’s bitter Senate primary.

Schatz was tapped to replace Inouye after his death, despite Inouye’s deathbed request that Hanabusa replace him. Schatz was declared the winner over the weekend, after damage caused by Hurricane Iselle delayed the election in two key precincts.

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie (D), who appointed Schatz to the office, lost his primary earlier this month by a 2-to-1 margin.