CDR David J. Melendez

EXECUTIVE OFFICER, USS CHOSIN (CG 65)

14 October 2025 CDR Melendez hails from St. Mary’s, Georgia and graduated from Savannah State University in 2009 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice and commissioned in 2009 through the Naval Reserve Training Corps. He graduated from Arizona State University in 2016 with a Master’s of Science in Criminal Justice and Criminology.

His at sea assignments include gunnery division officer onboard USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) and Damage Control Assistant onboard USS Rentz (FFG 46); Department Head tours as Chief Engineer, Plans and Tactics Officer, and Combat Systems Officer onboard USS Raphael Peralta (DDG 115); N5/BZ Operations Officer at Destroyer Squadron FIFTEEN. He is currently serving as the Executive Officer of USS CHOSIN (CG 65).

Ashore, he was the Assistant Operations Officer at Coastal Riverine Group ONE, Gas Turbine Inspector at Engineering Assessments Pacific, and Fleet Navigation and Seamanship Director at Surface Warfare Schools Command. 

CDR Melendez is authorized to wear the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (5), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2), the Battle Efficiency “E” and various personal and unit awards.