CDR John E. Holthaus

Past Commanding Officer, USS MICHAEL MURPHY (DDG 112)

28 October 2022 Commander John “Jack” Holthaus hails from Glen Burnie, Maryland. He received his commission from the United States Naval Academy in 2005, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Commander Holthaus has served on ships from Norfolk, Pearl Harbor, and Yokosuka, and has deployed to 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleets. His sea duty included assignments aboard USS CHAFEE (DDG 90) as the Electronic Materials Officer, Gunnery Officer, and Administrative Officer; USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) as a Machinery Division Officer; USS MAHAN (DDG 72) as the Operations Officer; USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN 77) as the Main Propulsion Assistant; and USS CHANCELLORSVILLE (CG 62) as the Executive Officer.

He served ashore as the Assistant Nuclear Enlisted Community Manager (OPNAV N133) and as the Surface and Land Requirements Officer in the Digital Warfare Office (OPNAV N9I), both on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations. He most recently served as a Federal Executive Fellow at the Stimson Center in Washington, DC.

Commander Holthaus holds a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School and a Master of Business Administration degree from Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. He completed his Joint Professional Military Education through the Naval War College.

His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, various service medals, and unit awards.