Cmdr. James Showanes
EXECUTIVE OFFICER, USS Truxtun (DDG 103)
20 November 2025
CDR James Showanes is a New Jersey native, he commissioned through Officer Candidate School. He graduated from American University in Washington, D.C. with a degree in Political Science, and holds a Master’s in Public Administration from North Carolina State University. He currently serves as the Executive Officer onboard USS TRUXTUN (DDG 103).
CDR Showanes’ first Division Officer tour was aboard USS NITZE (DDG 94) homeported in Norfolk, VA where he served as the Force Protection Officer and Auxiliaries Officer and completed the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group deployment. He fleeted-up to Damage Control Assistant aboard USS NITZE (DDG 94) for his second Division Officer tour. He completed multiple deployments in support of 4th, 5th, and 6th Fleet areas of operation.
CDR Showanes completed his first Department Head tour as the Chief Engineer onboard USS PORTER (DDG-78) homeported out of Rota, Spain. For his second Department Head tour, he served as Combat Systems Officer onboard USS PORTER (DDG 78). He completed five BMD Patrols in support of Forward Deployed Naval Forces-Europe.
Ashore, he served as the Deputy Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans, and Strategy, N3N5. CDR Showanes served as an Action Officer to the director of Plans, Policy and Integration, N5, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. He oversaw a portfolio which focused on Navy and Marine Corps strategic integration and warfighting initiatives. Additionally, he served as a Naval Science Instructor at North Carolina State University where he taught courses in Naval Operations and Navigation.
His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and various unit and campaign awards.