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Commanding Officer
USS Mason (DDG 87)
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Commander Matthew T. Erdner 
 

Commander Erdner, a native of Pennsylvania, entered Norwich University in 1997. He graduated from Norwich with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and a minor in Mathematics and was commissioned through Norwich’s NROTC program in May 2001.


After he completed the Division Officer course at the Surface Warfare Officers School (SWOS), he reported aboard USS HAYLER (DD 997) as First Lieutenant. Following a Mediterranean deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom he completed the Surface Rescue Swimmer course. Commander Erdner was assigned to Engineering Department and completed Counter-Narcotics operations then decommissioned USS HAYLER in August 2003 as the Main Propulsion Assistant. He then reported to USS MITSCHER (DDG 57) as Fire Control Officer where he completed a DPMA and her 2004 INSURV. Following his division officer tours, Commander Erdner attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, where he earned a Masters degree in Space Systems Operations. Following his graduation with Distinction, he attended Department Head School completing the Prospective Engineering Officer track. 
 
Commander Erdner reported to MCM Crew BULWARK as the Engineer Officer in October 2008. While embarked in USS CHAMPION (MCM 4), he executed her homeport shift to San Diego, CA from Ingleside, TX. From July 2009 through March 2010, he embarked USS GLADIATOR (MCM 11) for their FIFTH Fleet deployment.
 
After he completed the Prospective Commander Officer pipeline, he joined MCM Crew DOMINANT as the Executive Officer in the fall of 2010. The crew completed CHAMPION’s 2011 INSURV and after five months of their 2011 deployment, he assumed command of MCM Crew DOMINANT and USS SCOUT (MCM 8). Following re-deployment, he assumed command of USS CHAMPION in December 2011, and then USS CHIEF (MCM 14) in February, 2012. The crew recertified in all warfare areas and deployed to the FIFTH Fleet AOR where he assumed command of USS GLADIATOR. After 8 months of operations and a modernization SRA, he assumed command of USS WARRIOR (MCM 10) in January 2013. 
 
Following early command, he reported to SWOS in April 2013 as an instructor for the Senior Officer Ship Material Readiness and Surface Commanders Courses until March 2015.  He completed a Joint Service tour at the Missile Defense Agency as the Executive Assistant to the Director for Test in July 2017.  After completing the Surface Commanders Course, he joined USS MASON (DDG 87) as her Executive Officer in April 2018 completing the training cycle and deploying to the Fifth and Sixth Fleet AORs.  In September 2019 he turned over as Executive Officer and attended the Prospective Commanding Officers Course.  Commander Erdner took command of USS MASON in November 2019. 
 
His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Naval Post Graduate School Space Systems Academic Excellence Award, various unit and campaign ribbons.





 
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