CDR Zachary A. Bittner

Past Commanding Officer, USS John S. McCain (DDG 56)

13 December 2024 CDR Zack Bittner is a native of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He is a 2003 graduate of Lafayette College and earned his commission in 2005 through OCS in Pensacola, Florida.
His operational assignments include Electrical and Gunnery Officer on USS PHILIPPINE SEA (CG 58), Auxiliaries Officer and Chief Engineer on USS ROBERT G BRADLEY (FFG 49), and as Weapons Officer and Combat Systems Officer on USS PORT ROYAL (CG 73).

His shore assignments include J35 Future Operations Planner and DET Four Recovery Team Leader at the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command; Contingency Planner, N5 Plans and Policy Directorate, US Pacific Fleet; and Flag Aide to the Commander, US Pacific Fleet. He is a graduate of the Maritime Advanced Warfighting School and US Naval War College resident program where he earned a Master’s Degree in Defense and Strategic Studies.

His decorations include numerous personal, service, unit, and campaign awards.