Captain Watt W. Jordan Jr, USN

Commanding Officer


Watt William JORDAN, Jr. was born in Union Springs, Alabama, on July 29,1928, son of Mr. Watt W. JORDAN and the late Mrs. Lorena Britt JORDAN. He was graduated from Union Springs High School in 1946 and Auburn University in 1950. Upon his graduation from Auburn and successful completion of the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps, he was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy.
Following graduation, his first duty was aboard USS NORRIS (DDE-859) which participated in operations in the Korean War and fleet operations in the Atlantic. In 1952 he was assigned as Operations Officer for Commander Escort Division 92 which was engaged in fleet operations in the Pacific, operating off the Korean coast on escort and shore bombardment missions.

In 1954 he was ordered to report as prospective Commanding Officer of the USS JACANA (MSC-193) which was under construction at the Quincy Adams Yacht Yard, Quincy, Massachusetts. On March 10, 1955, JACANA was placed in Atlantic Fleet mine warfare operations. From 1957 to 1959 he served as Aide to the Commander, Potomac River Naval Command, in Washington, D. C.

In 1959 he was assigned as Regulus Missile Officer aboard the USS LOS ANGELES (CA-135) operating in the Eastern and Western PACIFIC. In 1961 he was ordered to report to the USS BRUSH (DD-745) as Executive Officer and served in this capacity for about one year. During this period BRUSH deployed to the Western Pacific as part of the Hunter Killer Force and the Johnson Island Nuclear Test.

From 1962-1964, he served as Flag Lieutenant and Aide to Commander SEVENTH Fleet, who was embarked in the USS PROVIDENCE (CLG-6) and homeported in Yokosuka, Japan.

Returning to the United States in the summer of 1964, he attended the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia. Upon graduation in January 1965, until June 1967, he served as Southeast Asia Plans Officer in the Strategic Plans Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.

From July 1967 to May 1969 he served as Commanding Officer USS McCAFFERY (DD-860) operating in the Western Pacific and Atlantic Fleet. In June 1969 he relieved as Executive Officer, USS CHICAGO (CG-11) in the Tonkin Gulf and served in that position until December 1970. From January 1971 to August 1972 he was assigned as the Special Assistant for JCS Matters (Manpower) in the Office of ACNO (Manpower).

Captain JORDAN holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, and wears the Navy Commendation Medal (Gold Star), Combat Action Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Citation (1 Star), Navy Occupation Medal, China Service Medal, National Defense Medal (1 Star), Korean Service Medal (4 Stars), Vietnam Service Medal (3 Stars) Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Captain JORDAN is married to the former Dorthy Ann Sires of Charleston, South Carolina. They have two children, Watt III and Suzanne.