Commanding Officer

CAPT Michael Witherspoon is a native of Tuscaloosa, AL. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Machinist Mate Fireman Recruit in October 1986 and was commissioned in 1995 through Officer Candidate School, Pensacola FL as part of the first Seaman to Admiral Program. He earned his Bachelors of Science degree in Systems Engineering from Norfolk State University (NSU). He also holds a Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategy from the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, RI.

His enlisted assignments include the USS McKEE (AS 41) and Navy Recruiting District (NRD) St. Louis. His officer and at sea assignments include Electronic Warfare Officer aboard USS KIDD (DDG 993), Auxiliaries and Electrical Officer (A&E) in USS MERRIMACK (AOE 179), Main Propulsion Assistant (MPA) in USS VELLA GULF (CG 72). Chief Engineer in USS GUNSTON HALL (LSD 44), Chief Engineer in USS OAK HILL (LSD 51). He served as Engineering/Materials Officer in COMMANDER AMPHIBIOUS SQUADRON FOUR (CPR 4). He served as Executive Officer (XO) in USS GRAVELY (DDG 107) and Coastal Riverine Squadron FOUR (CRS4). He served as the Officer In-Charge (OIC) at Coastal Riverine Group TWO (CRG2) and he commanded Coastal Riverine Squadron TWO (CRS2).

He deployed in support of numerous wartime and contingency operations to include: OPERATION DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM, OPERATION NOBIL ANVIL, OPERATION ENDURING and IRAQI FREEDOM.

CAPT Witherspoon relinquished duties in June 2023 as the Base Commander for Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story and assumed duties as the 26th Commanding Officer and Professor of Naval Science at the University of Auburn-Tuskegee Consortium in July 2023.

His personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Navy Meritorious Service Medal; Navy Commendation Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Navy Achievement Medal; 2022 U.S. Navy Black Engineer of the Year Stars and Stripes awardee and various unit and service awards.