Commander William Bowen Stewart

click for printable version
Commander Stewart spent his adolescent years in Mobile, Alabama, graduating from The Citadel in 1983 with a degree in Political Science. He joined the Navy in 1985 and commissioned through the Aviation Officer Candidate School. In November 1986 he earned his “Wings of Gold” as a Naval Aviator. After initial SH-3H “Sea King” training he was assigned to Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Fourteen (HS-14) “Chargers” in 1987 in San Diego, CA, making deployments aboard USS Ranger (CV-61) during his tour.

Commander Stewart’s initial shore tour was at Helicopter Training Squadron Eight (HT-8) as a flight instructor at NAS Whiting Field in 1990. While serving as the Operations Officer he earned a Masters Degree in Business Management from Troy State University in 1993. Returning to sea duty in 1993, after completing the UH-1N training at HC-16 at NAS Pensacola, he was assigned to the USS Nassau (LHA-4) where he served as the Assistant Air Officer and Aircraft Handling Officer making a deployment for operations in Haiti and the Adriatic Sea. In 1995 he was assigned as an Instructor pilot in the SH3H and SH-60F/H at Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron One (HS-1) “Sea Horses” in Jacksonville, Fl. While assigned to HS-1, he served as the Officer in Charge of the Surface Rescue Swimmer School. Following assignment as a flight Instructor he returned to sea duty with Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Five (HS-5) “Night Dippers” in 1997 as the Maintenance Officer, deploying aboard USS John C. Stennis and USS John F. Kennedy.

Commander Stewart reported to the Naval Personnel Command (BUPERS) in 1999, where he was assigned to PERS-44. While at BUPERS he served as Deputy Director and Director of Restricted Line and Staff Corps Distribution and Special Placement Division. In February of 2003 Commander Stewart assumed the duties of Executive Officer of Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL.

Commander Stewart has logged over 4000 flight hours in the following airframes SH60F/H, SH-3H/D, UH-1, TH-57 and T-34C. His decorations include the Meritorious service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (five awards), Navy Achievement Medal, along with other personal and unit citations.