Army Secretary John McHugh and U.S. Army Pacific commander Gen. Vincent Brooks honored the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye by laying a wreath at Punchbowl cemetery.

McHugh and Brooks paid their respects at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific on Tuesday.

Brooks is the first four-star commander to lead U.S. Army Pacific since the 1970s.

Inouye had long pushed to have a four-star general in that position.

McHugh said in a statement Brooks’ appointment "speaks very clearly" to the Army’s intent to be part of the future of the Asia-Pacific region.

Inouye is buried at the cemetery near other veterans of his World War II unit, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.

Inouye was awarded the Medal of Honor for displaying extraordinary heroism in Italy during the war.