CDR Joseph J. Gunta

Past Executive Officer, USS John S. McCain (DDG 56)

17 February 2021 Commander Joseph Gunta is a native of Milwaukee, WI. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and was commissioned through the NROTC Program in 2004 as a Surface Warfare Officer. He holds a Master of Business Administration in Defense Financial Management from the Naval Post Graduate School as well as a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. While at the Naval War College he participated in the Halsey Alfa East Asia Advanced Research Program.

At sea he served as the Communications, Auxiliaries and Navigation Officer onboard USS HIGGINS (DDG-76). During his department head tours, he served as the Chief Engineer onboard USS KIDD (DDG-100) and USS VICKSBURG (CG-69), successfully completing multiple material certifications as well as operational duties as the Standing NATO Maritime Strike Group Two Flagship.

Ashore, he served as the Amphibious Warfare Financial Analyst in OPNAV N80 Programming Division as well as the Surface Warfare Budget Analyst for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Financial Management and Comptroller). 

His personal decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal as well as various unit and campaign awards.