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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

USS Essex (LHD-2)

CAPT. Wayne P. Liebold, USN
Commanding Officer, USS Essex (LHD 2) Captain Liebold, a native of Leesburg, Georgia, attended Georgia Tech from 1993 to 1995 and received his commission through the United States Merchant Marine. As a midshipman, he sailed on a variety of commercial ships. He qualified for his enlisted submarine dolphins and strategic deterrent patrol pin while assigned to USS Alaska (SSBN 732). He holds a bachelor’s degree along with a USCG Unlimited Third Mate’s License, a Qualified Member of the Engineering Department, and a Tankerman Person in Charge of Dangerous Liquids.

On sea duty, Liebold was assigned to USS Tarawa (LHA 1) as Electronic Warfare Officer, Electronic Material Officer, and Engineering Training Officer. During his tour, Liebold assisted with USS Cole recovery operations. Subsequent tours include USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), and a department head tour onboard USS Gary (FFG 51) as Chief Engineer. He was selected for early command and reported to MCM Crew Reaper as executive officer in April 2009. Liebold assumed command of the MCM Crew Reaper in September 2010 and led the crew through three Arabian Gulf deployments. He reported as executive officer of USS Montgomery (LCS 8) (BLUE) in October 2014, and assumed command of the crew in April 2017. Captain Liebold reported onboard USS Essex (LHD 2) in March 2022 as executive officer and assumed command of USS Essex as commanding officer in August 2023.

On shore duty, Liebold was assigned to Navy ROTC Georgia Tech. He completed his master’s degree in International Affairs at Georgia Tech in 2005. Liebold served as the Force Combat Systems Officer at Naval Surface Forces, Pacific. He served as a Battle Watch Captain and Senior Crisis Action Team Briefer to the Combatant Commander at U.S. Southern Command. His most recent shore assignment was as a Military Assistant, Office of the Secretary of Defense, planning and executing domestic and international travel for the Secretary and Deputy Secretary.

Captain Liebold’s personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and various other Joint and Navy awards. Liebold was selected in 2010 as a member of the National Defense University’s Program for Emerging Leaders at the Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction. He was the 2001 winner of the COMNAVSURFPAC Junior Officer Ship handler of the Year.

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