Captain William D. Byrne Jr., USN
85th Commandant of Midshipmen
United States Naval Academy
CAPT Bill Byrne was born in San Francisco and raised in nearby Pacifica, CA. He spent a year at the Naval Academy Prep School before receiving an appointment to the United States Naval Academy where he graduated with a B.S. in Political Science in 1987.
His initial sea duty assignments were in San Diego aboard USS COOK (FF 1083) where he served as Gunnery Officer and Main Propulsion Assistant and aboard USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CG 57) where he served as Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer. His department head tours included a homeport shift from San Diego to Yokosuka, Japan, aboard USS VINCENNES (CG 49) where he served as Weapons Officer and Combat Systems Officer. In August 2000, CAPT Byrne reported to USS LEYTE GULF (CG 55) as the Executive Officer. LEYTE GULF was underway within hours after the terrorist attacks of 9-11 in support of Operation NOBLE EAGLE and deployed a week later with the THEODORE ROOSEVELT Battle Group in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
CAPT Byrne's tours ashore include Aide/Flag Lieutenant to the Commander, Naval Forces Marianas, in Guam, several Pentagon tours including as a Resource Sponsor for the Director, Surface Warfare (OPNAV N86), Warfare Analyst for the Director, Warfare Integration (OPNAV N70), and as Division Chief in the Operations Directorate of the Joint Staff (J-3), and as the Chief of Staff for the Commander, U.S. THIRD Fleet. CAPT Byrne received a M.A. in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 2004.
CAPT Byrne assumed command of USS HALYBURTON (FFG 40) in May 2005 and deployed in 2006 to South America and Northern Europe conducting Theater Security Cooperation operations with 25 allied nations in support of the Global War on Terrorism. He assumed command of USS CAPE ST. GEORGE (CG 71) in September 2009 and deployed in 2010 with the ABRAHAM LINCOLN Carrier Strike Group as the Strike Group Air Defense Commander.
In May 2013, CAPT Byrne became the 85th Commandant of Midshipmen of the U.S. Naval Academy.
CAPT Byrne's awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation and Achievement Medals and various unit and service awards.
