Cmdr. Chris Norris
Commanding Officer, USS James E. Williams (DDG 95)
02 February 2021
Cmdr. Norris enlisted in the Navy from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 1995. Upon completion of Operations Specialist Apprenticeship School, he reported to USS Barry (DDG 52) where he served from 1996 to 2002 deploying to the 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibilities (AOR).
In 2002, Norris was selected to participate in the Seaman to Admiral-21 program where he received his commission from the Hampton University NROTC Program in 2003.
His afloat tours include service as First Lieutenant, Damage Control Assistant (DCA), and Chief Engineer aboard USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) from 2003 to 2006 deploying to the 5th and 6th Fleet AORs. He served as Chief Engineer aboard USS James E. Williams (DDG 95) from 2011 to 2012 deploying to the 5th and 6th Fleet AORs. He also served as Materials Officer and Staff Director in Commander Destroyer Squadron 22 from 2012 to 2014.
Ashore, Norris served as an Engineering Instructor at Surface Warfare Officers School Newport, Rhode Island. He also served as Junior Officer Shore Assignment Coordinator and Assistant Director for Surface Warfare Officer Assignments (PERS-41) at Navy Personnel Command. His most recent shore assignment was serving as the Deputy Executive Assistant for the Deputy Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command.
He earned a Master of Arts in Economics from Old Dominion University in 2009. Upon completion of pipeline training, he reported to USS James E. Williams (DDG 95) as the Executive Officer in July 2018.
Norris is the recipient of various personal and campaign awards including the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five), and the Navy Achievement (two).