USS Hopper (DDG 70)
"Amazing Grace"
Commanding Officer (January 2010 - January 2012)  
Commander Kevin A. Melody
Commanding Officer (January 2010 - January 2012)

Commander Melody received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy where he graduated and received his commission in 1992.

His first assignment was aboard USS LEFTWICH (DD-984) where he served as Gunnery Officer and Main Propulsion Assistant. In March 1996, CDR Melody reported to the Naval Postgraduate School where he earned a Master’s Degree in Acoustics, graduating in March 1998.

In November 1998, Commander Melody reported to USS JOHN L HALL (FFG-32) where he served 18 months as Chief Engineer. Following this assignment he served as Chief Engineer in USS THOMAS S GATES (CG-51) until February 2002.

In June 2004, Commander Melody reported to USS THACH (FFG-43) as the Executive Officer. During his tour, USS THACH deployed to the Northern Arabian Gulf conducting Oil Platform Defense for the BONHOMME RICHARD Battle Group.

CommanderMelody’s tours ashore include assignment to the Nuclear Affairs and International Treaties Branch on the Staff of DCNO for Operations, Plans, and Strategy (N3/5); Flag Secretary to Commander, Naval Forces Europe and Commander, SIXTH Fleet; and Turkish Language studies at the Defense Language Institute.

Most recently Commander Melody deployed for a year with Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 from August 2008 to August 2009 as the Staff ASW Officer. During his assignment the group deployed to the Gulf of Oman and Somali Basin conducting counter-piracy in support of Operation ALLIED PROTECTOR.

CommanderMelody’s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal; Joint Service Commendation Medal; Navy Commendation Medal; Navy Achievement Medal, and various unit and service awards.

 NEWS
CNO Adm. Gary Roughead visits with Sailors aboard the Arleigh Burke-class Destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70)
CNO Adm. Gary Roughead visits Sailors aboard USS Hopper
PEARL HARBOR (June 9, 2010) Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead visits with Sailors aboard the Arleigh Burke-class Destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Roughead is at the base to participate in the 2010 Japan-U.S. Junior Officers Symposium
USS Hopper (DDG 70) fires a single surface-to-air SM-2 missile off the coast of Hawaii as the ship participates in Rim of the Pa
USS Hopper Participates in 2010 RIMPAC Exercises
USS HOPPER, At Sea (NNS) -- Three international service members and several U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen joined the crew of guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70) July 14 to participate in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2010, the world's largest multinational maritime exercise.
USS Hopper (DDG 70) departs Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for a scheduled independent deployment
USS Hopper to deploy to Western Pacific
PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii- Guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70) will depart Pearl Harbor April 15 for an independent deployment to the Western Pacific and U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
A rigid hull inflatable boat attached to USS Hopper with a VBSS team approaches the Pakistani fishing vessel
Joint Coalition Forces Rescue Pakistani Fishermen
ARABIAN SEA (May 19, 2011) A rigid hull inflatable boat attached to guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70) with a visit, board, search, and seizure team approaches the Pakistani fishing vessel Al Sohail.
USS Hopper Observes Moment of Silence at Leyte Gulf Battle Site
USS HOPPER, At Sea - Sailors from the Hawaii-based guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70) observed a moment of silence Oct. 25 to remember the sacrifice of World War II Sailors who fought and died in the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1944.
USS Hopper (DDG 70)
USS Hopper Returns to Homeport after Helping Peaceful Transition in Iraq
PEARL HARBOR - Rear Adm. Dixon R. Smith, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific, welcomed home the guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70) upon her return to homeport Nov. 14 after a seven-month deployment to the Western Pacific and U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

 ‭(Hidden)‬ After
Commander Al Lopez

Start Date: January 2010
End Date: January 2012

 Served with...
Master Chief Jessie Lee Stuckey

Start Date: August 2009
End Date: August 2011
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