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Guam’s son bids farewell to squadron
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Posted on Aug 30 2005
SANTA RITA, Guam— Capt. Peter Gumataotao was relieved of duty as commodore of Destroyer Squadron 31 by Capt. Fred Pfirrmann during a change-of-command ceremony held Aug. 25 aboard the Battleship Missouri Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Gumataotao, a native of Guam, heads to U.S. Pacific Command as director of current operations.
During the ceremony, Gumataotao thanked the men and women of the squadron for their hard work and service in the U.S. Navy. He also thanked his shipmates for making his tour with the squadron both memorable and professionally fulfilling.
Gumataotao has deployed extensively to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Arabian Gulf operating areas. Throughout his Navy career, he served on board USS Bagley, USS Worden, USS Curtis Wilbur, USS Reuben James, and USS Decatur.
His other past assignments include assistant surface operations officer and surface systems analysis officer for Commander, Third Fleet; combat systems officer for Destroyer Squadron 31; fellow for the Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group at the Center for Naval Analysis in Washington, D.C.; and congressional liaison for surface programs at the Navy Office of Legislative Affairs.
Gumataotao has been awarded the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and Battle Efficiency Ribbon (two awards). He was the recipient of the Hawaii Navy League Award and Commander, U.S. Naval Surface Forces, Pacific, Shiphandler of the Year award. He was also the recipient of the first Admiral Zumwalt Award for visionary leadership in 2001.
Gumataotao holds a bachelor’s degree in resources management from the U.S. Naval Academy and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the Naval War College in Newport, R.I.
Destroyer Squadron 31 is homeported in Pearl Harbor and includes the USS Chafee, USS Chung Hoon, USS Crommelin, USS Hopper, USS Paul Hamilton, USS Russell, USS Reuben James, and USS O’Kane. (PR)
