Cmdr. Timothy J. “TJ” Orth
COMMANDING OFFICER, USS ST. LOUIS (LCS 19)
03 July 2024
CDR TJ Orth is a native of Farmville, Virginia and a 2007 graduate of the US Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in History.
During his first sea assignment, he served as the Fire Control Officer and Lead Boarding Officer in USS JOHN L. HALL (FFG 32). He remained aboard JOHN L. HALL as Training Officer for his second division officer tour. As a Department Head, he was the commissioning Combat Systems Officer in Littoral Combat Ship Crew 110, the first LCS Crew to form in Mayport, Florida. He remained with LCS Crew 110 for his second department head tour as Operations Officer, during which Crew 110 accepted delivery of and commissioned USS SIOUX CITY (LCS 11), including sailing her from the builder’s yard in the Great Lakes to her homeport. He subsequently commanded USS FIREBOLT (PC 10), forward deployed to Naval Support Activity, Manama, Bahrain, from August 2019 to October 2020. He remained in Bahrain and served as Operations Director on the staff of Destroyer Squadron FIFTY and Task Force FIVE FIVE. Commander Orth has deployed to the Baltic, Black, Mediterranean and Red Seas, the Arabian Gulf, and the Gulf of Guinea. He reported to USS ST. LOUIS (LCS 19) Blue in December of 2022 as Executive Officer and will assume command in May 2024.
Ashore, Commander Orth served as an instructor of Seamanship and Navigation and Yard Patrol Craft Officer in Charge at the US Naval Academy while earning his Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the US Naval War College.
Commander Orth’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (with Gold Star), Navy Commendation Medal (with Gold Stars), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (with Gold Star) as well as various unit and service awards.