CDR James Daniel Pierce III

Commanding Officer, USS McCampbell (DDG 85)

20 July 2023 Commander Pierce grew up in Pittsburgh, PA.  He attended Old Dominion University where he received his Bachelor of Science in Political Science specializing in National Security Policies in 2006 along with his commission from the Hampton Roads NROTC.

His first afloat assignment was onboard the USS HAWES (FFG 53) out of Norfolk, VA from 2006-2010.  While onboard HAWES, he served as First Lieutenant, Damage Control Assistant, Auxiliaries Officer, and Chief Engineer.  

His follow on shore tour was in Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Crete as Port Operations Officer and Assistant Base Operations Officer from 2010-2013.  While stationed in Souda Bay, he coordinated over 300 port visits that supported operations in EUCOM, AFRICOM, and CENTCOM Areas of Responsibility.  He continued his professional education by completing JPME Phase 1 through the Naval War College Distance Learning Program and a Master of Science in Legal Studies emphasizing in Domestic Security Policies from the California University of Pennsylvania. 

CDR Pierce went back to sea duty after completing the Surface Warfare Officer Department Head pipeline as the Operations Officer onboard USS LABOON (DDG 58) out of Norfolk, VA from 2014-2015.  After his tour of duty on LABOON, he became the Chief Staff Officer for CTF 65, in Naples, Italy from 2015-2017.  He was responsible for planning the operations for all independent deployers and the Rota based DDGs for the Sixth Fleet AOR.

His post Department Head tour brought him to Washington, DC on the OPNAV N96 Integrated Air and Missile Defense Desk from 2017-2020.  He served as the portfolio lead for AEGIS, SSDS and Enterprise Test & Evaluation.

He then transferred to Headquarters, U.S. Space Force as the Executive Assistant to the Director of Staff as part of the stand-up crew for the U.S. Space Force from 2020-2021.
CDR Pierce reported back to sea as Executive Officer, USS McCAMPBELL (DDG 85) in 2021.  He assumed command of McCAMPBELL in 2023.

CDR Pierce’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (1 Star), Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3 Stars), the Naval Achievement Medal and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Award along with various unit and campaign awards.