CDR James Davenport

Commanding Officer, USS Independence (LCS 2)

24 March 2021

CDR James Davenport is a native of Bethalto, Illinois. He enlisted in the Navy in 1993 and was selected for a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) scholarship in 1996. He graduated from Columbia College in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration and was commissioned at the University of Missouri NROTC. Additionally, he earned a Master of Science degree in Homeland Security from University of Maryland-University College.

His sea tours include damage control assistant and force protection officer as a part of the commissioning crew of USS Bulkeley (DDG 84); weapons officer on USS Tempest (PC 2) and PC Crew Hotel, where he deployed to USS Chinook (PC 9) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; operations officer on USS Gonzalez (DDG 66); combat systems officer on USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) during her maiden ballistic missile defense deployment; executive officer, USS Manchester (LCS 14) Blue Crew; and Commanding Officer, USS Coronado (LCS 4).

Ashore, he served on the staff of Center for Surface Combat Systems in Dahlgren, Virginia and as the integrated air and missile defense requirements action officer on the staff of Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia; and he served as chief staff officer at Commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One.

His current assignment is commanding officer, USS Independence (LCS 2).

His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal and Navy Commendation Medal.