CDR William Hughes
EXECUTIVE OFFICER U.S. AEGIS ASHORE MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM ROMANIA
04 June 2025
CDR William Hughes is a Surface Warfare Officer from Fayetteville, GA. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in History from The Citadel in 2009 and was subsequently commissioned through the school’s ROTC program.
At sea, CDR Hughes served as the Repair Division Officer onboard the decommissioning crew of USS JOHN L HALL (FFG 32) and Navigator onboard USS BENFOLD (DDG 65) where he deployed to the 3rd, 5th, and 7th Fleets’ AORs on an independent BMD patrol. As a Department Head, CDR Hughes served onboard USS ROOSEVELT (DDG 80). As Weapons Officer, he brought the ship through an Aegis Baseline 9 upgrade, Combat Systems Testing and Qualification, and training cycle. As Plans and Tactics Officer, he was part of the ship’s Homeport shift to Rota, Spain and first FDNF-E BMD patrol.
Ashore, CDR Hughes served at OPNAV N96 as the Requirements Officer for the Navy’s Cruiser and Destroyer Modernization Program. Following his Department Head tours, CDR Hughes served as the Operations Officer at CTF-64 in Naples, Italy before reporting to the FOURTH Fleet HQ in Mayport, FL to serve as Deputy FOPS Director and Fires Officer.
He is the recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal and Navy Commendation and Achievement Medals, along with several unit and campaign awards.