Cmdr. Adam J. Samson
Executive Officer, USS NORMANDY (CG 60)
07 March 2024
A native of Woodbine, Georgia, Commander Samson graduated from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA receiving his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps Unit Hampton Roads in 2009. He received an Executive Masters in Business Administration from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2017.
His division officer tours were aboard USS Laboon (DDG 58) as Communications Officer and USS Mitscher (DDG 57) as Fire Control Officer where he deployed to the U.S. 6th and 5th Fleets and conducted numerous joint and combined exercises. As a department head, he served as Weapons Officer fleeting up to Combat Systems Officer aboard USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) deploying to U.S. 5th Fleet during heightened tensions with Iran culminating in the rescue of 21 mariners from motor vessel KOKUKA COURAGEOUS following a limpet mine attack.
Ashore, CDR Samson served as the Plans Officer in the Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Cell for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, FIFTH Fleet. During his tour, he authored the first Fleet-wide Operational Tasking (OPTASK) Surface Warfare and participated in the opening strikes of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR). His follow-on orders were to Surface Warfare Officer School (SWOS) as Assistant Officer in Charge, Basic Division Officer Course (BDOC) Norfolk where he trained, mentored and challenged over 850 Ensigns to serve as Surface Warriors at sea. Following his department head tours, CDR Samson was detailed to OPNAV N96 as the LCS/Frigate Requirements Officer working on a cross functional team tasked with increasing LCS reliability and lethality before his selection to become the Flag Aide to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfare Requirements and Capabilities (DCNO N9). In 2021, CDR Samson reported to US Fleet Forces Command to serve as Deputy Executive Assistant to the Deputy Commander and Commander, Task Force 80.
Commander Samson is authorized to wear the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (5), Navy Achievement Medal, Battle Efficiency “E” and various personal and unit awards.