Cmdr. Matt Appleton
Executive Officer, USS Indianapolis (LCS 17), Gold Crew
26 January 2022
A New Hampshire native, CDR Matt Appleton holds a B.A. in Political Science from The College of the Holy Cross, and a MPP in International Relations from Princeton University. He is a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College and the Defense Language Institute. He earned his commission through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps in 2006.
At sea, Appleton served as First Lieutenant and Training Officer aboard USS CHAFEE (DDG-90); as Navigator on USS SHOUP (DDG-86); and as Weapons and Combat Systems department head on USS PORTER (DDG-78). During his tours, these ships supported Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, numerous national and allied exercises such as the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) and Joint Warrior. Additionally, on a personnel exchange assignment, he served as an Air Warfare Officer aboard the Royal Norwegian Navy vessels ROALD AMUNDSEN and FRIDTJOF NANSEN.
Ashore, Appleton was selected as a Service Chief’s fellow at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). He also served on the staff of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Development (OPNAV N7) as a strategic plans and future concepts action officer.
His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal. In 2016, he was recognized as DESRON 60’s Junior Officer Tactician of the Year. Crews that he served in earned various unit awards to include the “Battle E” and the Spokane Trophy.