captain william j hart

Captain Hart, a native of Scranton, Pennsylvania, was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering and commissioned at the United States Naval Academy in 1983. He earned his Naval Flight Officer wings in August 1984 and was assigned to Air-Anti Submarine Squadron FOUR ONE (VS-41) for S-3A fleet replacement training. His initial tour was with VS-38 in USS RANGER (CV 61), after which he transferred to VS-41 as a flight instructor and S-3A Viking Weapons Systems Model Manager.

Captain Hart reported to USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69) in 1990 as her Assistant Navigator, making one deployment during Operation DESERT STORM. He was then assigned to the Presidential Inaugural Committee Washington and the Joint Staff Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate (J-5) as the Vietnam/Laos/Cambodia Desk Officer and aide-de-camp to the President’s Special Emissary to Hanoi for POW/MIA Affairs.

Following S-3B transition, he served in VS-29 as the Administration and Maintenance Department Head deploying in USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72). Following that tour, he earned his Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies while at the College of Command and Staff in Newport, Rhode Island and was subsequently assigned to the Joint Staff, Operations Directorate (J-3) as an action and operations officer.

Captain Hart returned to VS-38 as Executive Officer, deploying in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH in USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64). As Commanding Officer, he supported ENDURING FREEDOM operations and directed the initial Maverick and SLAM-ER employment by the S-3B. He completed Nuclear Aviator training and reported to USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76) as Executive Officer, deploying in support of OIF and sweeping the 2006 unit awards. In 2007, he took command of USS CLEVELAND (LPD 7) as Commanding Officer, deploying to the Arabian Gulf and winning the 2008 Battle “E” and Golden Anchor Award. Prior to reporting to THEODORE ROOSEVELT, Captain Hart was assigned to THIRD FLEET as the Training and Readiness Assistant Chief of Staff.

His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit (2), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (2), one Strike/Flight Air Medal, the Joint Commendation Medal (2), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2), the Joint Achievement Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various other service medals and ribbons. He has over 3000 S-3 flight hours and 950 carrier arrested landings.
Captain Hart is happily married to Maureen, originally from St. Louis, Missouri and have three children, Tommy (17), Jack (13), and Cady (12).