Official U.S. Navy website - Commander Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet

LCDR John B. Benfield Executive Officer (February 2011 - June 2012)

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Lieutenant Commander Benfield, a native of Port Washington, New York, was commissioned after graduating from the United States Naval Academy where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science in 2000. After attending Surface Warfare Officers School in Newport, RI, he reported aboard USS WASP (LHD 1), where he served as the Auxiliaries Division Officer and later the Main Propulsion Division Officer. During his tour, USS WASP deployed to the Fifth Fleet AOR in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. For his second Division Officer tour, LCDR Benfield reported aboard USS SHOUP (DDG 86) as the Damage Control Assistant, and later served as the Training Officer, Weapons Officer and Chief Engineer. While onboard USS SHOUP, he completed a Counter Narcoterrorism deployment in the Eastern Pacific and a surge deployment to the Seventh Fleet AOR where he took part in Operation Unified Assistance providing relief to the victims of the Malaysian tsunami. His Department Head tour was in USS HAWES (FFG 53) as the Chief Engineer and Combat Systems Officer. While onboard USS HAWES, he completed a JOINT WARRIOR/Baltic TSC deployment and a Counter Narcoterrorism deployment in the Fourth Fleet AOR.

LCDR Benfield’s shore assignment was at SURFACE WARFARE OFFICER SCHOOL Newport, RI, as a Steam Engineering Instructor. While on shore duty, he earned a Masters of Business Administration from Pennsylvania State University.

LCDR Benfield’s personal awards include the Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy Achievement Medal and various campaign and unit awards.