Captain David L. Gray is a native of Massachusetts. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy as an Engineman in in August 1990 and his first assignment was onboard USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44). In 1996, he was selected for the Seaman-to-Admiral Program and commissioned on June 7, 1996. Following commissioning, he attended Surface Warfare Division Officer School in Newport, R.I. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from ODU and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategy from the Naval War College in Newport, R.I.
His sea duty assignments include serving as the Communication’s Officer aboard USS Stout (DDG 55), Weapons Officer on USS Typhoon (PC 5), First Lieutenant onboard the USS Ponce (LPD 15) and USS Nassau, and Executive Officer on USS Ashalnd (LSD 48). He transferred USS Ashland from Extended Docking Phased Maintenance Availability (EDPMA) through the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) making her ready for hull swap to Japan. During his XO tour he was selected for Commander and completed his command tour onboard USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) and commanded the new Expeditionary Sea Base class warship USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4).
His shore duty assignments include serving as the Deputy N7, Surface Warfare Directorate; N31 for Maritime Operations; Chief Staff Officer of Afloat Training Group, Atlantic; N1 at COMNAVSURFLANT Staff; J35 South at Joint Staff Hampton Roads and in GFM as the JWG Waterside Lead, Rotation Branch Chief, and Joint Force Coordinator Division Chief.
Captain’s Gray’s last assignment was Commanding Officer, Navy Expeditionary Warfighting Development Center, Virginia Beach, Va.
Captain Gray’s awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, and the Navy Achievement Medal and various unit and service awards.
Last Updated: 24 October 2023