Fitzgerald (DDG 62) - Naval Cruise Book

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EXECUTIVE OFFICER Lieutenant Commander Michael J. Foster United States Navy Lieutenant Commander Michael J. Foster was bom in Bangor. Maine on 2 June 1 962. He graduated from Maine Mariti me Academy, Castine Maine, in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering and a U.S. Coast Guard steam and diesel 3rd Assistant Engineer License. LCDR Foster ' s first sea tour was in USS STUMP ( DD- 978). Where he served as Damage Control Assistant, and Main Propulsion Assistant. He then attended the Naval Post Graduate School earning a Master of Science degree in Management. After graduating from Surface W;uf are Officer School Department Head Course in Newport, Rhode Island, he was assigned to USS NICHOLSON ( DD-982 ) as Engineering Officer. As a follow-on tour, LCDR Foster then served on the Atlantic Fleet Propulsion Examining Board as a Gas Turbine Space Examiner. LCDR Foster attended the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, from June 1993 to June 1994. He then reported to U.S. Atlantic Command J8 Directorate as the Navy Program, Planning, and Budgeting Liaison Officer. In January 1998 he reported as Executive Officer onboard USSFITZGERALb(DDG-62). LCDR Foster ' s personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal ( 3 awards ), and National Defense Service Medal. He is married to the former Suzanne M. Collet of Bangor, Maine. They have three children: Katherine, Matthew, and Samuel.

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COMMANDING OFFICER Commander James S. Grant United States Navy Commander Grant ' s tours at sea include duty as Main Propulsion Assistant. Missiles Officer, and Gunnery Officer aboard USSBROOKE(FFG-l ); Combat Systems OfficerinUSS DAVID R.RAY(DD-971 ); Combat InformationCenterOfficerandAssistant Operations Officer in USS LONG BEACH (CGN-9); and Flag Secretary at Commander, THIRD Fleet. Commander Grant also served as Commissioning Executive Officer in USS CURTIS WILBLrR(DDG-54). Commander Grants s tours ashore include duty as a Writer Action Officer in the Secretary of the Navy s White House Liaison Office; and at Commander, Naval Surface Force U.S. Pacific Fleet where he served successively as Operations and Plans Officer and Hag Secretary. Commander Grant s most recent tour of duty was as a student at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island where he graduated in March of 1 998 with a Master s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. Commander Grant ' s personal award include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendat ion Medal ( five awards), and the Navy Achievement Medal. CommanderGrant is married to the fonner Martha Wilson of Chula Vista, California. They have three children. Roger at the United States Naval Academy. Jeanette, and Jimmy. i

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COMMAND MASTER CHIEF ETCM(SW) Da id M. Knipplc United States Navy A native of eastern Pennsylvania. Master Chief Knipple was bom in New York in 1960. Hejoined the U.S. Navy in February 1978 under the Delayed Entry Program and reported to Recruit Training Command. Great Lakes, Illinois for Basic Training in July 1978. Master Chief Knipple s first tour of duty was at Naval Radio Transmitting Facility. Capas. Tarlac. Republic of the Philippines. Followed by a tour aboard USS COCHRANE ( DDG- 2 1 ) homepoiled in Pearl Harbor. Hawaii and then later Yokosuka. Japan. After departing the USS COCHRANE, he returned to the Philippines and was stationed at Naval Communication Station Philippines. San Miguel. His duties includedCalibration Laboratory and Communications Maintenance Di ision Leading Petty Officer, and assistant Command Training Officer. In 1 988 Master Chief Knipple returned to sea duty aboard USS CROMMELIN ( FFG-37 ) homeported in Long Beach. California and then later Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. His duties included Leading Chief Petty Officer of two divisions and a myriad of collateral duties. In 1992 Master Chief Knipple was stationed at Fleet Tactical Deception Group Pacific, based out of Naval .Amphibious Base, Coronado. His duties included Systems Department Leading Chief Petty Officer and assistant Command Master Chief. He received an Associate of Arts degree in General Studies from Central Texas College in 1993. Returning to sea again in 1995, Master Chief Knipple reported aboard USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70) homeported in Alameda, California and then later Bremerton. Washington. He served as Operations Department Master Chief and Assistant Command MasterChief. In 1997, MasterChief Knipple attended the Senior Enlisted Academy in route to assuming duties as USS FITZGERALD (DDG-62 ) Command MasterChief Master Chief Knipple s decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal ( with three gold stars). Navy Achievement Medal ( with one gold star ), Joint Service Unit Citation. Meritorious Unit Citation ( with two stars), and a Good Conduct Medal ( with four stars). Master Chief Knipple is married to Kim M. T. Knipple. He has two daughters; Christine and Jennifer, and one son James.