Only a seaman realizes to what extent an entire ship reflects the personality and ability of one individual, her Commanding Officer. To a landsman, this is not understandable, and sometimes it is difficult for us to comprehend - but it is so.

A ship at sea is a distant world in herself and in consideration of the protracted and distant operations of the fleet units, the Navy must place a great power, responsibility, and trust in the hands of those leaders chosen for command.

In each ship there is one man who, in the hour of emergency of peril at sea, can turn to no other man. There is one who, alone, is ultimately responsible for the safe navigation, engineering performance, accurate gunfire and morale of his ship. He is the Commanding
Officer. He is the ship.

This is the most difficult and demanding assignment in the Navy. There is not an instant during his tour as Commanding Officer that he can escape the grasp of command responsibility. His privileges in view of his obligations are almost ludicrously small; nevertheless, command is the spur which has given the Navy its great leader.

It is a duty which most richly deserves the highest time honored title of the seafaring world… "CAPTAIN"

		Cdr. David A. WEBSTER (D) February 1962 - August 1963
		Cdr. Wilton A. ATKINSON August 1963 - March 1965
		Cdr. Harrison C. MURRAY March 1965 - October 1966
		Cdr. William A. SPENCER October 1966 - December 1967
		Cdr. Robert N. CONGDON November 1967 - August 1969
		Cdr. Clarence H. GREFF August 1969 - July 1971
		Cdr. W. James THEARLE (D) July 1971 - September 1972
		Lt. Cdr. J.R. DALRYMPLE September 1972 - June 1973
		Captain Tom I. KOLSTAD June 1973
		Lt. Cdr. James G. ROCHE June 1973 - June 1975 (Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy for 1974)
		Cdr. Thomas J. TURPIN, Jr. June 1975 - June 1977
		Cdr. Roger W. BARNETT June 1977 - July 1979
		Cdr. Jere G. MACKIN July 1979 - July 1981
		Capt. Michael E. MAYS Achieved rank of Captain while in Command July 1981 - June 1983
		Cdr. Steve H. JONES June 1983 - August 1985
		Cdr. William PARKS August 1985 - December 1987
		Cdr. Lee S. GURKE December 1987 - November 1989
		Cdr. Fred G. COLE November 1989 - June 1991
		Cdr. Calvin D.G. Willard June 1991 - July 1991
		Lt. Cdr. Vincent A. SQUITIERI Officer in Charge of Decommissioning July 1991 - October 1991