Captain Eugene Dawson Jr. is the commanding officer of Naval Support Activity Mechanicsburg, Naval Support Activity Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Navy Yard Annex.
Captain Dawson is a native of Chicago Heights, Illinois. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Fire Controlman in 1992 and served aboard USS WILLIAM H. STANDLEY (CG 32) and USS TICONDEROGA (CG 47). He earned his commission in 2002 through the Officer Candidate School program after graduating from LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas, with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 2001. He holds a Master of Business Administration with a focus in Resource and Financial Management from the Naval Postgraduate School (2009) and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College (2013). He is a graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College and is a Certified Knowledge Manager. Additionally, he holds Master’s Certificates in Data Science and Business Analytics, as well as Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning, from the University of Texas, and is a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.
His operational assignments include serving as Supply Officer aboard USS JEFFERSON CITY (SSN 759), homeported in San Diego, California, and USS CHAFEE (DDG 90), homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. While aboard USS CHAFEE, he led his department to its third consecutive Blue “E” for Supply Excellence and the ship’s first Ney Honorable Mention.
In 2009, he deployed as an Individual Augmentee in a Global Support Assignment to Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, serving as a Requirements Officer for the Base Command Group in support of Global War on Terror operations.
His shore assignments include selection as the first Supply Officer for Littoral Combat Ship Squadron in San Diego, California; Joint Logistics Planner at U.S. Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base; Director of the Common Hull Mechanical and Electrical Integrated Weapons Support Team (IWST); Director of the Cruisers and Destroyers IWST at NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania; and Material Budget Officer at NAVSUP Headquarters. He also served as Commanding Officer of DLA Distribution Sigonella, Italy, and most recently as the Deputy Comptroller and Acting Comptroller at NAVSUP Headquarters.
Captain Dawson is designated as a Submarine and Surface Warfare Supply Corps Officer, Fleet Marine Force Officer, Joint Specialty Officer, and Acquisition Professional Member. He is also certified as a Level III Life Cycle Logistician and DoD Financial Manager. His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy Commendation Medal (six awards), and Navy Achievement Medal (six awards), in addition to various unit and service commendations.
Last Updated: 17 June 2025