Cmdr. Joseph D. Phillips
Executive Officer, USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117)
19 April 2021
Commander Phillips is a native of Knoxville, Iowa. He enlisted in the Navy in 1996 as a Fire Controlman earning the rank for Chief Petty Officer. He commissioned as a Limited Duty Officer and redesignated as a Surface Warfare Officer after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Systems Management from Excelsior University.
Commander Phillips also holds a Master’s Degree in Military Studies with a graduate certification in Future Concept Development from Marine Corps University.
Commander Phillips’ shipboard assignments include: USS Essex (LHD 2) and USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3) as a Close-In Weapons System and Rolling Airframe Missile technician; USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) and USS Mustin (DDG 89) as the Strike Division Leading Chief Petty Officer participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom; USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) as the Bomb Assembly Officer assigned to Forward Deployed Naval Forces- Japan; USS Antietam (CG 54) as the Systems Test Officer; and USS Momsen (DDG 92) as the Weapons and Combat Systems Officer.
Ashore, Commander Phillips commanded Navy Munitions Command Unit Misawa and assisted with disaster relief in Operation Tomadachi. He also served as Flag Aide to the Program Executive for Missile Defense Agency, Aegis Sea Based Weapons Systems and as the Surface Requirements Officer for the Chief of Naval Operations, N9 Special Programs.
His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4 awards), The Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4 awards), Good Conduct Medal, as well as other campaign, unit and service awards.