Dao

This article is about the Galactic Republic Admiral. You may be looking for the Mandalorian Dao Stryver.

"With regret, I report that my fleet will no longer be able to provide protection to the troops on Ryloth. I repeat my request that help must be sent right away."

―Admiral Dao, to the Jedi High Council^[2]

Dao was a Human admiral who served in the Republic Navy during the Clone Wars. In 22 BBY, he commanded a fleet of Venator-class Star Destroyers during the Battle of Ryloth, defending the planet's Twi'lek inhabitants from a Separatist invasion fleet. After requesting reinforcements from Jedi Masters Yoda, Mace Windu, and Obi-Wan Kenobi of the Jedi High Council, Dao was killed when his flagship was destroyed by enemy turbolaser fire.

Biography[]

"We're in trouble down here. We need those supplies immediately."
"I understand, General, but I am in no position to help. We are critically low on fuel and ammunition."
"Contact the Jedi Council again. Tell them reinforcements must be dispatched without delay."

―Ima-Gun Di and Admiral Dao, during the Battle of Ryloth^[2]

Dao was a Human who served in the Republic Navy as an admiral during the Clone Wars.^[2] In 22 BBY,^[1] elements of the Separatist Droid Army, led by the Techno Union Foreman Wat Tambor, invaded and blockaded the Twi'lek homeworld of Ryloth. Hoping to counter this threat, the Galactic Republic sent a task force under the command of Dao and Jedi General Ima-Gun Di to liberate the planet. While Dao oversaw several Republic Venator-class Star Destroyers,^[2] including his^[3] own flagship, Di and a battalion of clone troopers were sent to aid the embattled Twi'leks on the surface of Ryloth.^[2]

DaoAndDi — Dao speaks with Di during the Battle of Ryloth.

As Di and his forces fought the Separatist battle droid forces on Ryloth, Dao and his fleet engaged the warships that were part of the Confederate blockade orbiting the planet in space. The battle on and above Ryloth continued for days until the Republic's ammunition, food, and medical supplies on the ground began to run out. Dao was subsequently contacted by Di, who ordered the Admiral to request reinforcements from the Jedi High Council. With his own forces low on fuel and ammunition, Dao opened a transmission to Jedi Masters Yoda, Mace Windu, and Obi-Wan Kenobi at the Jedi Temple on the galactic capital of Coruscant via hologram, asking for assistance. However, during the conversation, the Confederate fleet disabled the shields of Dao's flagship, and a clone subordinate warned Dao about this development. Dao and the rest of his crew were instantly killed when their defenseless Star Destroyer fell to enemy turbolaser fire.^[2]

Personality and traits[]

"If help does not arrive soon, the entire Outer Rim garrison will be wiped out."

―Admiral Dao, to the Jedi High Council^[2]

Dao had brown hair, blue eyes, and fair skin. While speaking with Yoda, Mace Windu, and Obi-Wan Kenobi, Dao desperately tried to persuade the Jedi Masters that reinforcements were needed to maintain the Republic's position on Ryloth, as a defeat there would have major consequences for the entire sector.^[2]

Behind the scenes[]

"[Ima-Gun Di's] admiral's name is Admiral Dao and those letters are D-A-O. But you could rearrange them to come up with something very similar to his Jedi Master. Like Dead On Arrival."

―Dave Filoni, on Dao's naming^[4]

Admiral Dao was first mentioned in Summer 2010 in a promotional video for the Star Wars: The Clone Wars television series' third season. In the video, Series Director Dave Filoni stated that the inspiration for Dao's name was a rearrangement of the letters of the term D.O.A., or "Dead On Arrival," signifying the character's imminent death in his first appearance in the series.^[4] Dao finally appeared in the episode "Supply Lines," which aired on September 24, 2010. In the episode, Dao was portrayed by voice actor James Arnold Taylor, who also voiced Obi-Wan Kenobi in the series. His design was made to resemble actors who had played Imperial officers in the original trilogy of Star Wars films. His animation model was constructed from Admiral Wullf Yularen's body and the head of a Mandalorian citizen, which had both appeared in the series' second season. Additionally, his model was customized with a special hair-do.^[5]