Captain D. Michael Ray

Executive Officer, USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6)

05 November 2019 CAPT Ray graduated from Georgetown University and was commissioned via the NROTC program in 1996.

After attending Surface Warfare Officer School in Newport, RI, he reported to his first ship, USS Anchorage (LSD 36). In USS Anchorage, he served as Weapons Officer, Communications Officer, and Assistant Operations Officer. Subsequent Sea Tours included E-Division Officer in USS Constellation (CV 64), Chief Engineer in USS Comstock (LSD 45), and N4 Material Officer in Amphibious Squadron THREE (CPR-3). During his tour in Amphibious Squadron THREE, CAPT Ray was selected to fill a one-year Individual Augmentation billet at Multi-National Forces – Iraq in the Combined Joint Operations directorate.

CAPT Ray first served Executive Officer in USS NEW ORLEANS from December 2011 to November 2012 and subsequently took command of NEW ORLEANS in November of 2012. While onboard NEW ORLEANS, he deployed twice to Fifth Fleet in support of the Global War on Terror.

Ashore, he served in Commander Naval Surface Forces Pacific as Force Personnel Officer, Military Sealift Command Pacific as Chief Staff Officer, and the US Naval Academy as a Battalion Officer. In his most recent assignment, he served as the Surface Warfare Officer Community Manager at Bureau of Naval Personnel THREE (BUPERS-3) in Millington, TN. CAPT Ray received a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service with a concentration in Humanities and International Affairs from Georgetown University and a Global Masters in Business Administration from National University.

CAPT Ray reported to USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) as Executive Officer in November 2019.

His decorations and awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and various campaign and unit decorations. In 2014, he was selected as a Pacific Fleet finalist for the Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale Leadership Award for his performance in command of USS NEW ORLEANS.