Capt. Steven L. Liberty
Commanding Officer, USS Philippine Sea (CG 58)
09 February 2024
A native of Tomahawk, Wisconsin, Capt. Liberty enlisted in the United States Navy and attended basic training in Chicago, Illinois, in July 1992. While attending MM/BT “A” school, he volunteered for submarine duty and completed Basic Enlisted Submarine School before reporting to the USS WEST VIRGINIA (SSBN 736, Gold) as an Auxiliary Division Machinist Mate serving from 1992 to 1997.
In 1997, Capt. Liberty was accepted into the Enlisted Commissioning Program. He graduated from the University of Mississippi in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science and subsequently received his commission.
At sea, Capt. Liberty has served in numerous platforms; Division Officer in USS GUNSTON HALL and USS ROSS; Department Head in USS CURTS and USS COWPENS; Executive Officer of USS ANTIETAM and USS RAMAGE. He assumed command of USS RAMAGE in March 2016 and led RAMAGE through the remainder of the COMFIFTHFLT deployment with the HARRY S. TRUMAN Carrier Strike Group supporting Operation INHERENT RESOLVE and also performing duties as the Ballistic Missile Defense Commander.
Ashore, Capt. Liberty attended the Naval Postgraduate School earning a Master of Science Applied Science (Operations Research) degree in the Undersea Warfare Curriculum; Naval Service Training Command supporting accessions training across over 60 ROTC units along with RTC and OTC; Assistant Chief of Staff, Manpower and Personnel for Commander Naval Surface Forces Atlantic; Director of the Sea-Based Weapon Systems Warfighter Operational Support directorate and then fleeted up into the Chief of Staff position at the Missile Defense Agency in Dahlgren, Virginia. Most recently serving as the Deputy Maritime Operations Center Director at USFFC.
Capt. Liberty was a U.S. Fleet Forces Finalist for the 2017 Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale Leadership Award. Although he did not win, it was an honor to be nominated by his peers.
His personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Joint Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars, Iraqi Campaign Medal, and a four time Battle “E” winner.