Cmdr. William P. Murtha
Executive Officer, USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41)
21 April 2022
CDR William P. Murtha is a native of Kings Bay, GA and a 2006 graduate of Savannah State University where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Commission in the U.S. Navy.
CDR Murtha’s first sea tour was Main Propulsion Division Officer and VBSS Boarding Officer onboard USS Vella Gulf (CG-72) deploying as part of Iwo Jima ESG to 5th and 6th Fleet AORs.
His second sea tour was Ship to Shore Officer and Assistant Operations Officer on Amphibious Squadron 8 deploying with Nassau ARG for Operation Unified Response- Haiti and Operation Copper Dune.
His shore tour was lead Tomahawk Mission Planning instructor as well as Intelligence Specialist C School 3923 Strike Planning Applications Division Officer, Navy Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center, Dam Neck, VA.
After completing Surface Warfare Department Head course in Newport, RI and AEGIS Combat Systems Officer course in Dahlgren VA, he reported as Operations Officer onboard USS Barry (DDG-52). He completed Barry’s AEGIS base line 9 modernization and testing as well as basic phase and deployment certifications for 7th Fleet homeport shift and deployment.
He served as Officer in Charge, LCS MCM Blue Det 22 under LCSRON TWO. Det 22 attached to LCS Crew 109 to commission USS Little Rock (LCS 9) where he also served as ship’s Operations Officer.
Following his Department Head tours he served as Carrier Strike Group 12 Flag TLAM Officer and Launch Area Coordinator where he completed Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group’s 2019-2020 around the world deployment.
CDR Murtha served as PCU Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) first Executive Officer during her Pre-Commissioning phase. CDR Murtha reported onboard USS Whidbey Island as Executive Officer February 2022.
His awards include three Navy Commendation Medal, three Navy Achievement Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and numerous unit and service awards.