United States Navy Rear Admiral John Spencer will visit the Clark State College Greene Operations Center in Beavercreek today, Wednesday, July 27.
“We are honored to be visited by Rear Admiral Spencer who is a native of Fairborn,” said Toni Overholser, executive director, Clark State Foundation. “Navy Week is an exciting time for our region and we’re happy the Admiral could spend some time at Clark State.”
Rear Adm. John Spencer is a 1991 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a degree in Systems Engineering. He earned a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College where he was a Halsey Research scholar. He also completed a National Security Fellowship at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
His sea tours include division officer aboard USS Maryland (SSBN 738), weapons officer aboard USS Billfish (SSN 676), navigator aboard USS Jefferson City (SSN 759) and executive officer aboard USS San Juan (SSN 751). He commanded USS Philadelphia (SSN 690) in Groton, Connecticut and was commodore of Submarine Squadron 16 in Kings Bay, Georgia.
Staff assignments include instructor duty at the Naval Nuclear Power School, operations officer at Submarine Squadron 11, deputy commander of Submarine Squadron Eight, in the Policy section of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, executive assistant to Commander, U.S. Strategic Command, and recently Director, Nuclear Enterprise Directorate, Defense Threat Reduction Agency.
His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various unit and service awards.
In support of Dayton Navy week RDML Spencer will be meeting with local and state representatives as well as business leaders from industries that affect the military and state economy. He will also participate in social functions to connect with the people of Dayton and hopefully inspire young Ohioans to pursue their dreams to the fullest, he said.
“Navy Week in Dayton is a great opportunity to connect the people of Ohio to their Navy. Locals already have a lot of familiarity to the Air Force because of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, so this week is a chance for everyone here as Americans to learn more about their Navy,” said RDML Spencer. “Ohio is also special to the Navy submarine force and an entire class of submarines have been named after this state.”
Overholser said Clark State provides educational opportunities for service members anywhere throughout the world.
“Clark State provides tuition discounts for active duty, National Guard, and Reserve service members, as well as their spouses,” she said. “The College has been named a Top School in the Military Advanced Education & Transition (MAE&T) Guide to Colleges & Universities, an honor awarded to institutions with the very best practices in the military- and veteran-supportive education. Clark State is proud to support our military and we appreciate the Admiral taking the time to visit us during this busy and exciting week.”
Dayton Navy Week, July 25 through 31, brings Sailors from across the fleet to the area to emphasize the importance of the Navy to Dayton, the state of Ohio, and the nation. Navy Week concludes at the Dayton Airshow with an exhibition by The Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron.