CDR Michael E. Piano

Past Commanding Officer, USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) Blue Crew

01 September 2020 A Los Angeles, California native, Cmdr. Michael E. Piano earned a Bachelor of the Arts in East Asian Studies with a Chinese concentration. He commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps from the University of California Los Angeles in April 2002. Piano holds a master’s in military studies from the Marine Corps University’s Command and Staff College.

His operational tours include serving as the anti-submarine warfare officer aboard USS John S. McCain (DDG 56); the commissioning crew auxiliaries officer aboard USS San Antonio (LPD 17); as an individual augmentee operations officer in the U.S. Army’s Counter Rocker and Mortar (C-RAM) battery, 1st Cavalry Division, Multi-National Division Baghdad; chief engineer aboard the USS McClusky (FFG 41); and on the staff of Commander Task Force 55 (Destroyer Squadron 50). Piano also served as executive officer aboard USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) Blue Crew.

His shore tours include serving at the Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center Headquarters (SMWDC), Headquarters Marine Corps, and Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV).

Piano’s current assignment is commanding officer of USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) Blue Crew.

His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Battle E awards earned with his shipmates over the years.