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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

Contributed by Don McGrogan, BMCS, USN Ret. - Popular Patch

USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB-3)

CAPT. Paul F. Campagna, USN Commanding Officer (Blue)

A native of Petaluma, California, Captain Campagna is a 1993 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. After completing the U.S. Army Aviation Officer Basic course at Fort Rucker, Alabama in 1994, Campagna was designated an Army Aviator and assigned to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he served as a Platoon Leader in D Troop 2-17 Cavalry, Aviation Brigade S-2 and qualified as an OH-58C Pilot in Command.
After an interservice transfer in 1996, Campagna completed replacement pilot training in the F/A-18 and was assigned to the “Warhawks” of VFA-97 deploying with USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) on September 11, 2001 where he flew combat sorties in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Next, he reported to Naval Aviation Warfare Development Center in Fallon, Nevada where he served as an Air Wing Training Instructor, Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC), and F-16 Model Manager. Campagna then reported to the “Sidewinders” of VFA-86, where he deployed with USS Enterprise (CVN 65) flying combat sorties in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

In 2007, he reported to USSCOCOM in Tampa Bay, Florida, where he served in the J35 as an Action Officer. He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2008 as a Fire Support Officer for Task Force operations in Balad, Iraq. He reported to the “Valions” of VFA-15 as the Executive Officer and assumed command in 2011, deploying the squadron with USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. His squadron was awarded the 2011 Battle ‘E’.

In 2012, Campagna attended the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government as a Resident National Security Fellow. After completing Nuclear Propulsion Training, he served as the Executive Officer of USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). He then commanded USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB-3) BLUE from January 2018 to May 2019, deploying for two Fifth Fleet patrols on the Navy’s first Expeditionary Staging Base. His most recent assignment was on the Naval Operations N98 Staff as the Aircraft Carrier Requirements Branch Head from May 2019 to March 2020.

Campagna’s personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Individual Air Medal with Combat V and various other individual and unit awards.

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