USS John Finn Change of Command

21 August 2019 SAN DIEGO – The guided-missile destroyer, USS John Finn (DDG 113) held a change of command ceremony at Naval Base San Diego August 15 as Cmdr. Courtney Minetree turned over the role of commanding officer to Cmdr. T. Peter Abbott.

The ship’s 320-member crew, family and friends were in attendance for the celebrated event.

“I am honored to have served with this crew for the past two-and-a-half years,” said Minetree. “This crew has shown true dedication to the mission in every aspect and situation, and I am very humbled and extremely proud to have had the opportunity to lead the Steadfast Defenders.”

Minetree, John Finn’s second commanding officer, led John Finn from May 2018 to August 2019. During Minetree’s time on board, John Finn successfully completed a full work-up cycle, certifying the ship and crew in all mission areas. Minetree also successfully led John Finn in the completion of multiple live-fire missile test events.

Minetree will be departing the ship to return to her alma mater, the United States Naval Academy, as a Battalion Officer.

During the ceremony, Minetree read her orders to the audience and proceeded in transferring command to Abbott. He then read his orders, assumed command, and addressed the audience as the commanding officer of John Finn.

“I am honored to assume command of John Finn. I know our schedule will be rigorous and have plenty of challenges, but I am excited to lead such an incredible crew,” said Abbott.

Abbott assumed command of John Finn in accordance with the Navy’s fleet-up program after serving as John Finn’s executive officer. Previously, he served tours onboard USS Kinkaid (DD 965), USS Fletcher (DD 992), USS Preble (DDG 88), USS Kidd (DDG 100). Additionally, he served as the executive officer of MCM Crew Constant. He then commanded MCM Crew Constant, embarked on USS Ardent (MCM 12). Abbott served as the officer in charge and visiting assistant professor at Duke University Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps, surface warfare junior officer sea coordinator at Navy Personnel Command (PERS-41), and served as an aide to the U.S. Military Representative for the NATO Military Committee in Brussels, Belgium.

Commissioned in July 2017, the ship is named in honor of Lt. John Finn, who was awarded the first Medal of Honor during World War II for his extraordinary heroism and devotion to go above and beyond the call of duty. Finn earned this prestigious award by manning a machine gun from an exposed position at Kaneohe Bay Naval Air Station during the attacks on December 7, 1941. Although he sustained numerous injuries, he refused to receive medical attention until being ordered to do so. For more information on John Finn, please visit: https://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/ddg113/Pages/default.aspx