CDR Benjamin C. Pearlswig

Executive Officer, USS SHILOH (CG 67)

24 October 2022 Cmdr. Pearlswig, a native of Turner, Oregon, graduated in 2005 from Oregon State University with a bachelor’s of science in business administration and obtained his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps Program. He also attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California and graduated in 2011, earning his master’s in operations research. 

Afloat, as a division officer, Pearlswig was on USS Cole (DDG 67) as the Electronic Warfare Officer where he participated in USS Cole’s first deployment to U.S. 5th Fleet following the attack in Oct of 2000. While deployed, USS Cole supported the Non-combatant Evacuation Operations of American citizens in Lebanon in 2006 as part of CTF-59. In 2008, he joined Amphibious Squadron Four as the assistant operations officer, and deployed as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group, standing up the Combined Task Force 151 to combat piracy operations in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf. As a department head, he served onboard USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), forward deployed to U.S. 7th Fleet in Yokosuka, Japan, as the weapons officer, senior watch officer, and combat systems officer. During that tour, he executed several major exercises to include Multi-Sail 2014, Malabar, Foal Eagle, CARAT Vietnam, CARAT Philippines, and DDG mid-life upgrade. 

In November 2015, Pearlswig was selected for early command. He reported to USS Warrior (MCM 10), forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan, in October 2016 as the executive officer, and assumed command of USS Warrior in February 2018. While onboard, he led the ship through an extended maintenance period, Basic Phase certification, exercises Clear Horizon, Japan Mine Warfare Exercise 2, and Multinational International Mine Warfare Exercise. 

Ashore Pearlswig worked as the administrative assistant for the Senior Officer Ship Material Readiness Course (N76) at the Surface Warfare Officer's School (SWOS) in Newport, RI. He also worked for Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet as part of the Warfighting Assessment and Readiness Directorate (N9) working on various exercises and events to include the inaugural Unmanned Systems Integrated Battle Problem, Mine Warfare Realignment to Great Power Competition, and the Global Wargame Series. 

Pearlswig reported to USS Shiloh (CG 67) in October 2022 as Executive Officer. 

His personal achievements include the Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 awards), the Battle “E” Efficiency award, and various unit and service awards.