Cmdr. Paul Cassutti
Commanding Officer, USS Lassen (DDG 82)
14 January 2021
Cmdr. Paul Cassutti, a native of Northport, New York, earned his commission through the NROTC program at Vanderbilt University, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in History in 2002. In 2010, he was awarded a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College.
At sea, Cassutti served as the Executive Officer aboard USS Lassen (DDG 82), deploying to the U.S. 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Fleets over nine months with the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group. As a Department Head, he served aboard USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) as the Chief Engineer and USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) as the Combat Systems Officer. As a Division Officer, Cassutti served aboard USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) and with Amphibious Squadron Six (CPR 6).
Ashore, Cassutti served as the Maritime Expeditionary Security Group One’s Boat Division Officer. On this tour, he deployed as training staff aboard HSV-2 SWIFT on the pilot deployment of “Global Fleet Stations”. Following his Department Head tours, Cassutti served on the OPNAV N96 staff in the Littoral Combat Ship/Frigate division and on the Joint Staff J8 as a Congressional action officer.
Cassutti earned distinction as the 2010 Commander Destroyer Squadron 15 Junior Officer Tactician of the Year, as a recipient of the Navy and Marine Corps Society 2011 Leadership Award, and as the 2012 Commander Naval Surface Forces Atlantic Surface Warfare Officer of the Year. His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (5 awards), Navy Achievement Medal (5 awards), and various unit, campaign, and service awards.