Commander James F. Hopp

Commanding Officer, USS Russell (DDG 59)

22 June 2021  Originally from Glen Ridge, New Jersey, CDR Hopp graduated from Boston University with a B.A. in Economics and International Relations and was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps in May 2004.

CDR Hopp’s initial sea duty assignment was in USS JOHN PAUL JONES (DDG 53) in San Diego, CA where he served as Electronic Warfare Officer. Subsequent sea tours have included assignments in USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN 77) as Reactor Mechanical Division Officer, USS PORTER (DDG 78) as Operations Officer, USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) as Main Propulsion Assistant, and USS STETHEM (DDG 63) as Executive Officer.  Most recently, CDR Hopp served as Commanding Officer of USS CAPE ST. GEORGE (CG 71) during Cruiser Modernization – Service Life Extension Program.
 
Ashore, CDR Hopp attended Naval Postgraduate School, earning a Master’s Degree in National Security Affairs focusing on the Middle East, and served as Executive Assistant to the Deputy Director and Speechwriter to the Director at Naval Reactors in Washington, DC.
 
He is authorized to wear the Meritorious Service Medal, Naval Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and various unit awards.