USS James E Williams Holds Change of Command
17 June 2021
NAVAL STATION NORFOLK --
NORFOLK -- Cmdr. Ameian Jeremiah relieved Cmdr. Christopher Norris as commanding officer of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS James E. Williams (DDG 95), during a June 7 change of command ceremony held at Naval Station Norfolk.
Norris led James E. Williams through an eight-month deployment with Carrier Strike Group 10 this past year and a two-month deployment in 4th Fleet during the COVID-19 pandemic. He expressed thanks to the crew that worked with him throughout his tenure, stating he was “both humbled and grateful to have served alongside and led the greatest group of patriots and Sailors to ever leave Norfolk.”
“Sailors have always been and will continue to be the centerpiece of everything that we do,” he emphasized. “I sincerely appreciate all the effort that you have done to make the ship as great as it has been.”
Jeremiah’s previous sea duty assignments include tours as Aegis fire control division officer on USS Milius (DDG 69) and, following completion of nuclear propulsion training, as reactor propulsion division officer on the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). He later served as operations officer on USS Laboon (DDG 58) and as main propulsion assistant on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).
Ashore, he served as a training program coordinator for Naval Education and Training Center, N7 Division, and as the surface nuclear junior officer detailer at Navy Personnel Command (PERS-41, surface warfare officer assignments).
Jeremiah referenced the ship’s proud background in some of his first words as commanding officer, reminding the crew that “today is a special day for James E. Williams as we continue this time-honored tradition.”
Affirmed Jeremiah, “Our ship has a great namesake and we will continue to honor his legacy with our service and our commitment to each other.”
Commissioned in 2004 and homeported in Norfolk, Va., USS James E. Williams is named after the most decorated enlisted Sailor in U.S. Navy history. One of the most distinguished awards bestowed on him was the Medal of Honor, awarded for his extraordinary heroism during the Vietnam War in October 1966. The crew’s motto, reflected in their dedication and hard work, is “Lead from the Front.”