Capt. James J. Von St. Paul
Commodore, Destroyer Squadron Two
21 March 2024
Captain Jim Von St. Paul is a native of Clark, New Jersey. He graduated and earned his commission through Virginia Polytechnic and State University’s NROTC program in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ocean Engineering. He also holds a Master of Science Degree in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). He completed Joint Professional Military Education Phase 1 through NPS and Phase 2 through the Joint and Combined Warfighting School at the Joint Forces Staff College.
Captain Von St. Paul commanded USS Cole (DDG 67). Additional assignments at sea include Reactor Officer onboard USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77), Main Propulsion Assistant onboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), Operations Officer onboard USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79), Reactor Mechanical Division Officer (Two Plant) onboard USS Theodore Roosevelt
(CVN 71), and Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer onboard USS Antietam (CG 54).
Ashore, he served as Deputy Officer-in-Charge, Surface Nuclear Propulsion Mobile Training Team for Commander Naval Air Forces Atlantic. He also served as a Knowledge Management Planner at the Joint Enabling Capabilities Command.
Captain Von St. Paul assumed command of Destroyer Squadron Two in February 2024.
His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.