Cmdr. Stephen M. Valerio
Cmdr., United States Navy
26 January 2021
Cmdr. Stephen Valerio is a native of Buffalo, New York, and was raised in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy as an Air Traffic Controller in 1994 and served aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and Naval Air Station Fallon before being selected for Admiral Boorda’s Seaman-to-Admiral commissioning program. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Florida and his commission through Officer Candidate School. In 2009, he earned a Master of Science in Operations Research from Naval Postgraduate School.
Valerio’s sea duty assignments include: Division Officer tours as the Fire Control Officer, Ship’s Maintenance and Material Officer, and Navigator aboard USS Taylor (FFG 50), where he completed multiple deployments to U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibility before entering Naval Postgraduate School in 2006; a year-long deployment as an FP Assessment Officer for CENTCOM’s Joint Security Office; Department Head tours as the Operations Officer aboard USS Porter (DDG 78) and Combat Systems Officer aboard USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79); Joint Maritime NATO Planners for Commander United Kingdom (UK) Maritime Forces, Maritime Battle Staff, where he completed to the U.S. 5th Fleet AoR; and most recently, Commnding Officer aboard USS Mason (DDG 87), where he relieved Cmdr Matthew Erdner, April 2021.
Ashore, Valerio’s assignments include: N3 to Commander Task Force 150 under UK command; Future Operations Officer for Commander Carrier Strike Group 8, during which time he planned and completed the first Carrier Strike Group Dynamic Force Employment deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet AOR aboard USS Harry S. Truman.
Valerio’s personal commendations include: Joint Commendation Medal, Joint Achievement Medal (2), Navy Commendation Medal (4), Navy Achievement Medal (4) and numerous others.