CAPTAIN R.D. WEST

COMMANDING OFFICER

Captain Richard D. West was born and raised in the Finger Lake Region of New York State and graduated from the University of Rochester in 1965, receiving his commission through the NROTC program.
Captain West has served at sea as Division Officer and First Lieutenant onboard USS WASP (CVS-18), Department Head onboard USS CHARLES F. ADAMS (DDG-2), and as Commanding Officer of USS OPPROTUNE (ARS-41) and USS MCINRENEY (FFG-8). Shore assignments include Operational Test Director for the Navy's Cruise Missile Program at COMOPTEVFOR Norfolk, Virginia, as Staff Officer with the Chief of Naval Operations (OP-06), Washington D.C., and as Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, CINSOUTH Naples, Italy.
Captain West has attended the Naval War College and holds a Master Degree in Management from Salve Regina College. Captain West assumed command of LEAHY on November I, 1989.
Captain West is married to the former Bernadine Lorn-bar do, also from Port Byron, New York. They have three children/ Kimberly 21, Jennifer 14: and Benjamin, 10.