CAPT Thomas A. Mays

Commanding Officer, USS John L. Canley (ESB 6) Gold Crew

07 August 2023 A native Texan, Captain Mays is a 1994 graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Physics.  As a prior-enlisted service member, Captain Mays was a former Nuclear Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class and was a 1996 commissioning accession via Officer’s Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida.

A career surface warfare officer, Captain Mays’ shipboard assignments include:  USS STETHEM (DDG 63) as Auxiliaries Officer, USS LASSEN (DDG 82) as Engineer Officer, Commander Destroyer Squadron 26 as N4 Materiel Officer, and USS BONHOMME RICHARD (LHD 6) as Navigator and Staff Navigator for Amphibious Squadron Three.  Ashore, he earned a Master of Science degree in Applied Physics from the Naval Postgraduate School and served as Assistant Range Safety Officer and Range Operations Officer at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii, as well as Battle Watch Captain at United States Fleet Forces Command.  

His command assignments include the positions of Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of Assault Craft Unit Two, followed by a tour as Officer in Charge of Coastal Riverine Group Two Detachment Bahrain and Commander, Task Force 56.11.  Most recently, he served as N5 Tactics, Techniques, Procedures and Doctrine Development Branch Head for the Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center Integrated Air and Missile Defense Division in Dahlgren, VA.

His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (Fourth Award), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Fifth Award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (Fourth Award), and numerous other unit and campaign awards.