Cmdr. CHRISTOPHER PETERSEN
Commanding Officer, USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44)
18 August 2025
A 2006 graduate of the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program from The Citadel, Commander Petersen earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. He is originally from Laurel, MD.
He is currently serving as the Commanding Officer of USS GUNSTON HALL (LSD 44). Most recently, he served as the SWATT Director at Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center, Fleet Training - Atlantic in Virginia Beach, VA.
A career surface warfare officer, Commander Petersen’s shipboard assignments include: USS WHIDBEY ISLAND (LSD 41) as Communications Officer and Electrical Officer, USS PORTER (DDG 78) as Training Officer,
USS MESA VERDE (LPD 19) as the Combat Systems Officer, USS ARLINGTON (LPD 24) as the Operations Officer, and USS MESA VERDE (LPD 19) as the Executive Officer.
Ashore, he served as Visits and Embarks Coordinator for United States Fleet Forces Command, the Security Manager for Training Support Center Hampton Roads, and a previous tour at Naval Surface and Mine
Warfighting Development Center, Fleet Training - Atlantic as the N7 Branch Head and AMW WTI SSDS Instructor.
His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and various unit, campaign, and service awards.