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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

Patches left and center contributed by Mike Smolinski, patch a right by Wolfgang Hechler

USS Constitution

CDR. John A. Benda, USN

CDR Benda was raised in Dedham, MA. He attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Upon graduation in 2001, he was commissioned as an Ensign through the College of the Holy Cross NROTC program.

CDR Benda's sea tours include: USS ASHLAND (LSD 48) as Communications Officer. ASHLAND deployed with Amphibious Task Force East in January 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; Amphibious Squadron Seven as Assistant Operations Officer embarked on USS BONHOMME RICHARD (LHD 6), which participated in Operation Unified Assistance; USS GARY (FFG 51) as his first department head tour from April 2009 until June 2010 where he deployed to the SOUTHCOM AOR and conducted counter narcotics operations. He was recognized for his efforts by being selected as the Commander Naval Surface Forces Leadership Award recipient. From July 2010 until Dec. 2011 he served as Operations Officer for Amphibious Squadron One, deploying again to the 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility embarked on USS BOXER (LHD 4) in support of theater security operations and national tasking; and aboard USS ESSEX (LHD 2) where he served as Damage Control Assistant.

Ashore, CDR Benda's first tour was served as Training Liaison Officer Afloat for Training Group Pacific. After taking several ships through the Unit Level Training Cycle, he was chosen as an individual augment to Joint Task Force 515 Forward as Operations Officer aboard USNS GySgt Fred W. Stockham (T-AK-3017) in Support of Operation Enduring Freedom; and as instructor and module lead for Expeditionary Warfare at Surface Warfare Officer School in Newport, RI.

From Nov. 2017 until Oct. 2019, CDR Benda served as the executive officer of USS CONSTITUTION, America's Ship of State.

CDR Benda is a Feb. 2013 graduate of the Naval War College.

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