Capt. Will Mathis
Commanding Officer, USS San Antonio (LPD 17)
02 July 2024
Capt. Will Mathis is a native of Houston, TX and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2000, earning a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering while graduating with distinction as a Trident Scholar. Following commissioning, he attended the University of Texas at Austin where he earned a Masters of Science in Mechanical Engineering. In August 2004, he was designated a Naval Aviator in Meridian, MS.
Capt. Mathis completed F/A-18E Super Hornet initial training with VFA-122 and joined the “Royal Maces” of VFA-27 forward deployed to Atsugi, Japan in April 2005. He deployed multiple times with the Maces aboard USS KITTYHAWK (CV-63), throughout all areas of the western Pacific and was awarded the Daedalian Exceptional Pilot Award.
Following his junior officer tour in 2008, Capt. Mathis was selected to attend the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, MD and graduated as a member of Class 135. His test tour with the “Salty Dogs” of VX-23 primarily focused on F/A-18A-F and E/A-18G carrier suitability issues and included the initial carrier suitability testing of the X-47 UCAS.
In January of 2011, he reported to the “War Party” of VFA-87 as a department head, participating in the maiden deployment of USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN-77) supporting Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and NEW DAWN.
Reporting next to Headquarters U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany, he served as a Political and Military Planner in the Plans Division of the EUCOM Plans and Operations Center (ECJ35) where he served specifically in the Special Operations Branch (J3X) for 22 months.
In December of 2015, he reported to the “Valions” of VFA-15 and served as the last Executive Officer for the command as it underwent deactivation. In March of 2017, Capt. Mathis reported to the “Blue Blasters” of VFA-34 as Executive Officer and assumed command in June 2018 through November 2019. During his command tour, VFA-34 was awarded the 2018 Battle E and Capt. Michael Estocin award. Following his command tour, Capt. Mathis was selected for Major Command at Sea Nuclear Power (AVN) and in December 2020 graduated Nuclear Power School with Honors. From February of 2022 through November of 2023, he served as Executive Officer to USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73). In July of 2024, he reported to USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD-17) as Commanding Officer.
Capt. Mathis has over 2,700 mishap free flight hours and over 700 carrier arrested landings and is authorized to wear the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Air Medal (Strike/Flight), Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (two awards), as well as various unit and campaign awards.