Cmdr. Matt Appleton
Commanding Officer, USS Indianapolis (LCS 17), Gold Crew
09 January 2024
A New Hampshire native, Commander Matt Appleton earned his commission through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps in 2006. He 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.
At sea, Commander 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, and several ballistic missile defense patrols. 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, Commander 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.
Commander Appleton assumed command of USS INDIANAPOLIS (LCS 17) Gold homeported in Mayport, FL, in June of 2023.
His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal, and various other personal, campaign, and unit awards.