Gunston Hall (LSD 44) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMMANDER MICHAEL P. NOWAKOWSKI COMMANDING OFFICER Commander Michael P. Nowakowski was born in Torrington, Connecticut on October 22, 1952. Following graduation from Ohio University in 1974, he was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Naval Reserve. After attending various service schools, he was assigned as Communications Officer and Assistant First Lieutenant in USS BARNSTABLE COUNTY (LST 1197) in June 1975. Upon completion of his initial sea tour, he served as Missile Battery Officer in USS BID- DLE (CG 34) in April 1978. In July 1979, he assumed duties as Assistant Professor of Naval Science at the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Unit, State University of New York Maritime College, located at Fort Schuyler. Upon completion of advanced Surface Warfare Officers School in February 1982, he re- ported to USS PHARRIS (FF 1094) as Engineer Officer, followed in October 1983 as Material Officer on the staff of Commander, Destroyer Squadron Ten. In April 1985, he reported to Surface Warfare Officer School Command, Newport, Rhode Island, and served as an instructor in the Department Head Steam Engineering Department. His next assignment, in December 1986, was Flag Secretary to Commander, Cruiser Group Eight. Following this tour in April 1988, he served as Executive Officer in USS WHIDBEY IS- LAND (LSD 41). In November 1989, Commander Nowakowski was assigned as Financial Management Officer for the Navy ' s Research and Development account in the Office of the Navy Comptroller, Washington, D.C. After completing Prospective Commanding Officer training in Surface Warfare Officers School Command in Newport, Rhode Island, Commander Nowakowski relieved as Command- ing Officer in July 1992. Commander Nowakowski ' s awards include: Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commenda- tion Medal with gold star in lieu of fourth award, as well as various unit and service awards. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Ohio University and a Master of Business Admin- istration Degree from Hofstra University. Commander Nowakowski, his wife, Marsha, and their children, Amy Marie and Michael Pe- ter, Jr., reside in Chesapeake, Virginia.

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FAREWELL LIEUTENANT COMMANDER MICHAEL A. DURNAN EXECUTIVE OFFICER Lieutenant Commander Durnan was born in Staten Island, New York on 24 July 1954. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathe- matics and was commissioned an Ensign in 1978. Lieutenant Commander Durnan ' s first as- signment was in USS PENSACOLA (LSD-38) where he served as Boat Division Officer, Gun- nery Officer, Assistant First Lieutenant and Boiler Officer. Lieutenant Commander Durnan was next assigned to the pre-commissioning crew in USS FLATLEY (FFG-21) where he served as Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer until December 1982. Ashore he was assigned as a Personnel Exchange Officer at ECOLE NAVALE, the French Naval Academy in Lanveoc, France. After completing his exchange tour, Lieutenant Com- mander Durnan returned to sea duty serving as Chief Engineer in USS COMTE DE GRASSE (DD-974) until January 1988 and then as Chief Engineer in USS GUNSTON HALL (LSD-44) from pre-commissioning until December 1989. Following this sea tour, Lieutenant Com- mander Durnan was assigned to the Naval Post Graduate School, Monterey, California, where he earned a Master of Science degree in Management in June 1991. Following graduate school, Lieutenant Commander Durnan attended the Prospective Executive Officer School in New- port, Rhode Island. In November 1991 Lieutenant Commander Durnan relieved as Executive Officer in USS GUNSTON HALL (LSD-44). Lieutenant Commander Durnan ' s decorations include: Navy Commendation Medal with Gold Star in lieu of second award; Navy Expeditionary Medal, two National Defense Service Medals, Humanitarian Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, Navy Battle Efficiency Ribbon, three awards of the Sea Service De- ployment Ribbon and the Navy Overseas Service Ribbon.