CAPT Nathan W. Scherry

Commanding Officer, USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5) Gold Crew

08 December 2023 Captain Scherry is a native of Peculiar, Missouri. Prior to joining the Navy, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Central Missouri in 1994 and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Webster University in 1998.  He was commissioned through Officer Candidate School in 1999.

He served division officer tours on USS ANTIETAM (CG 54) as the Strike Officer and USS HALYBURTON (FFG 40) as the Navigation Officer.  During this time, he completed a four month counter-narcotics deployment off the coast of Central America, a six month Northern Arabian Gulf deployment in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, and a seven month Standing NATO Forces Atlantic and Mediterranean deployment in support of Operations ACTIVE ENDEAVOR and IRAQI FREEDOM.

In late 2003, CAPT Scherry reported to the Naval Post-Graduate School (NPS) where he earned a Master’s of Science degree in Systems Engineering and Analysis and completed a thesis on Littoral ASW in 2025.  Upon earning the degree, he was awarded the Northrop Grumman Student Award for Excellence in Systems Engineering and Analysis.

As a department head, CAPT Scherry served on USS FARRAGUT (DDG 99) as Weapons Officer and Combat Systems Officer.  He completed her six month Partnership of the Americas 2008 maiden deployment participating in UNITAS 49 and numerous Theater Security Cooperation missions supporting U.S. Southern Command.

CAPT Scherry served as Executive Officer onboard USS GETTYSBURG (CG 64), completing a nine month FIFTH and SIXTH Fleet area deployment and earning the 2013 Battenberg Cup for best ship in the Atlantic Fleet and back to back Battle “E” awards.  He then completed his command tour onboard USS THOMAS HUDNER (DDG 116) as the ship’s first commanding officer.  Upon completion of his command tour in August 2019, CAPT Scherry served as the Chief of Staff for Expeditionary Strike Group SEVEN in Okinawa, Japan, deploying multiple times onboard USS AMERICA (LHA 6) in support of SEVENTH Fleet operations.

Ashore, CAPT Scherry completed an Individual Augmentee assignment at Headquarters, U.S. Central Command supporting Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM / NEW DAWN and later as Flag Secretary to Commander, U.S. SIXTH Fleet where he participated in Operation ODYSSEY DAWN.  He then completed his joint assignment as Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy at the Pentagon.

His current assignment is Commanding Officer-Gold Crew, USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5).

CAPT Scherry has proudly served with shipmates that have earned the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendations, Meritorious Unit Commendation, and five Navy Battle Efficiency “E” Awards.  His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (5), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (5).