Cmdr. William H. Burke
Commanding Officer, USS Paul Ignatius
05 January 2026
Cmdr. Burke is a 2008 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, and earned a master’s degree in Leadership, Education, and Development from the of the University of Maryland.
A Surface Warfare Officer, Cmdr. Burke’s shipboard assignments include USS DONALD COOK (DDG 75) as Strike Officer and later Fire Control Officer, USS DEWEY (DDG 105) as Operations Officer and later Combat Systems Officer, and USS DEVASTATOR (MCM 6) as Executive Officer and later Commanding Officer. During his time in command, DEVASTATOR earned the Battle “E” in 2021. Cmdr. Burke’s most recent shipboard assignment was aboard USS PAUL IGNATIUS (DDG 117) as Executive Officer.
Ashore, Cmdr. Burke served as a Company Officer at the U.S. Naval Academy and later as Executive Assistant to the Commandant of Midshipmen. He also served as the Aegis and ICS Requirements Officer, Surface Warfare Division (N96), Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.
Cmdr. Burke holds various unit decorations and awards; his personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, four Navy Commendation Medals and two Navy Achievement Medals. He has been recognized with the USNA Class of ‘75 Leadership Award in 2012; the U.S. Pacific Fleet Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) of the Year runner-up in 2017; and is a Surface Warfare Officers School VADM John D. Bulkeley distinguished graduate award recipient.