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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

Contributed by Wolfgang Hechler

USS John P. Murtha (LPD-26)

CAPT. Kevin J. Parker, USN

A native of Casper, Wyoming, Captain Parker enlisted in the United States Navy in 1985 where he served as a nuclear-trained electrician in USS PARCHE (SSN-683). He received his commission from Officer Candidate School in 1991.

His most recent operational assignment was Commanding Officer, USS CROMMELIN (FFG 37), where he conducted a western Pacific deployment. Homeported in Pearl Harbor, HI, CROMMELIN was attached to Destroyer Squadron Thirty-One and U.S. Seventh Fleet.

His previous operational assignments have included: Machinery Division Officer and Main Propulsion Assistant in USS GERMANTOWN (LSD 42), homeported in Sasebo, Japan; Military Detachment Officer-in-Charge in USNS TIPPECANOE (T-AO 199) forward deployed to the Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf; Main Propulsion Assistant in USS BELLEAU WOOD (LHA 3), homeported in Sasebo, Japan; Operations Officer in USS LASALLE (AGF 3), homeported in Gaeta, Italy; and Executive Officer in USS JOHN L. HALL (FFG 32), homeported in Pascagoula, MS, and Mayport, FL.

His shore assignments have included: Commanding Officer, Navy Reserve Center Columbus, GA; Staff Action Officer, OPNAV Augmentation Cell (N3IPS); Operational Support Officer, U.S. Sixth Fleet in Naples, Italy; and Senior Strategist, OPNAV Strategy and Policy (N513). In 2006, Captain Parker was selected for and served as the Navy Legislative Fellow for Congressman Gene Taylor of Mississippi. Captain Parker earned a Master of Arts in National Resource Strategy and a Certificate in Long Term Strategy from the Eisenhower School at National Defense University (2013); a Master of Arts in National Security Affairs, Far East, Asia and Pacific from Naval Postgraduate School (1997); and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Sociology from Regents College of New York (1990). Captain Parker reported as Commanding Officer, Pre-Commissioning Unit, JOHN P. MURTHA (LPD 26) in April 2015.

His awards include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, and various unit, service and campaign awards.

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