USS Paul Hamilton changes hands

By Ens. Lou Ebinger USS Paul Hamilton

Commander Dennis J. O’Meara relieved Cmdr. James K. Hiser as Commanding Officer, USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60), in a change of command ceremony at Pier Bravo 17 April 7.
The keynote speaker for the ceremony was Capt. Peter H. Daly, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 31.
Cmdr. Hiser assumed command of the Pearl Harbor, Hawaii based USS Paul Hamilton, on July 7, 1998.
Upon completion of the 1998 multi-national Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, Paul Hamilton deployed to the Arabian Gulf as part of the Pacific Maritime Expeditionary Force (PACMEF), 98-3. This deployment included Operation Desert Fox and enforcement of the United Nations sanctions against Iraq.
During this time, the crew of Paul Hamilton earned the Pacific Fleet Spokane Trophy, Battle "E," Navy Unit Commendation, and Silver Anchor.
Paul Hamilton is a frequent participant in Theater Ballistic Missile Defense testing, most recently supporting Theater Critical Measurements Program 3A at Kwajalein. Paul Hamilton received a third consecutive Retention Excellence award for 1999.
Cmdr. Hiser graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1980. His first sea tour was USS Kinkaid (DD 965), where he served as Electrical Officer, Main Propulsion Assistant, and Engineer Officer.
He served in the commissioning crew of USS Vincennes (CG 49) as Main Propulsion Assistant and in the commissioning crew of USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) as Engineer Officer. He served as Executive Officer in USS Kidd (DDG 993).
Cmdr. Hiser’s shore tours include the Naval Postgraduate School, where he completed a Master’s of Science in Electrical Engineering.
He was assigned to the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization where he served as a Program Integrator for the Navy Area and Navy Theater-Wide Theater Ballistic Missile Defense programs and as liaison officer to the staff of the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and Technology).
Cmdr. Hiser’s awards include the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy Commendation Medal, and Navy Achievement Medal (two awards).
Cmdr. Hiser is Paul Hamilton’s third commanding officer, and his next assignment will be in the Program Executive Office, Theater Surface Combatants in Washington, D.C.