CDR Samuel "Sam" Hoard Jr.

PAST COMMANDING OFFICER, USS GABRIELLE GIFFORDS (LCS 10) GOLD CREW

27 January 2023 CDR Samuel Hoard Jr. is a native of Hattiesburg, Miss. and was raised in Los Angeles. He enlisted in the Navy's Delayed Entry Program prior to reporting to Recruit Training Command in San Diego, Calif. in May 1993. In January 2000, he was selected for the Enlisted Commissioning Program and graduated from Norfolk State University with a Bachelor of Science degree. Hoard holds a graduate degree in Leadership and Management from Troy University. He completed Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase I and a Harvard Foundational Leadership Course.

At sea, Hoard served aboard USS Milius (DDG 69) as electrical officer and assistant Chief Engineer; PC Crew Kilo as executive officer, weapons officer, and supply officer aboard USS Hurricane (PC 3), USS Sirocco (PC 6) and USS Thunderbolt (PC 12); Chief Engineer for MCM Crew Reaper while embarked on USS Devastator (MCM 6), USS Gladiator (MCM 11), USS Champion (MCM 4) and USS Chief (MCM 14); and Mine Warfare Detachment One Mission Module Officer-in-Charge (OIC) embarked on USS Independence (LCS 2).

He reported as executive officer subsequently assumed command of MCM Crew Bulwark embarked on USS Ardent (MCM 12). He also served aboard USS Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams (ESB 4) Gold military crew as the Officer-in-Charge/Executive Officer.

Ashore, he was an order-writer for more than one thousand selective reservists at Navy Reserve Center Port Hueneme, and instructed Department Head/Division Officer Leadership courses at Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) in Dam Neck earning his Master Training Specialist (MTS) qualification. He served as the Force Director for Anti-Terrorism Force Protection (N34) for Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command, and executive officer for NRC Norfolk and commanding officer of NRC New York City.

Hoard is currently the commanding officer of Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) Gold crew.

His personal awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (4), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3), Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (6) and the Navy Battle "E".