Truman Leadership
CAPT Gavin Duff, Commanding Officer
Captain Gavin Duff received his commission from the United States Naval Academy with a B.S in Naval Architecture in 1995 and was designated a Naval Aviator in June 1998. He holds a Master of Engineering Management from Old Dominion University and was a 2019 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI fellow.
Flying the F/A-18 Hornet strike fighter, Duff’s early at-sea operational tours were with the “Marauders” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 82, where he was selected as Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic’s Pilot of the Year for 2001; the “Eagles” of VFA-115, where he was selected as the Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacific LCDR Michael G. Hoff Attack Aviator of the Year for 2007; and as the executive officer of the “Flying Eagles” of VFA-122. He subsequently commanded the “Tophatters” of VFA-14. During his tenure, the “Tophatters” deployed twice with USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn, and VFA-14 was awarded the Battle “E” and the Rear Adm. C. Wade McLuskey Award for operational excellence. He served as the 10th Commanding Officer of USS Mesa Verde.
His shore and staff assignments include U.S. Naval Test Pilot School at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, where he graduated with honors; the “Salty Dogs” of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23; Strike Fighter Community Detailer at Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tennessee; and with the Joint Staff J7.
Duff was selected for the nuclear aviation pipeline, graduating from Naval Nuclear Power School with honors, and served as the executive officer of USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) during its 2017 deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
He became the 13th Commanding Officer of USS Harry S. Truman in August 2021.
Duff is the 2014 recipient of Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale Award for Inspirational Leadership and his personal awards include Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star (in lieu of third award), Strike/Flight Air Medal (10 awards with Bronze Star and Combat Distinguishing Device), and various personal, unit and service awards. He is most proud of his various unit awards that reflect credit on the successful teams he has served with and the many skilled professionals he has been privileged to work alongside.
CAPT Shane T. Marchesi, Executive Officer
Shane T. Marchesi, a native of New Rochelle, New York, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering. Designated as a naval aviator in June 2000, he reported to the Gladiators of VFA-106 for initial flight training in the F/A-18 Hornet.
Capt. Marchesi reported in May 2001 to VFA-82, the Marauders. Additional sea assignments include VFA-86, Sidewinders as a training officer, VFA-87 Golden Warriors as a department head and later the executive officer and commanding officer. He has deployed multiple times around the world and has participated in Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and Inherent Resolve.
He served ashore as a Top Gun tactics instructor qualifying in the F/A-18 A-D, F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet, and the F-16 Fighting Falcon, and served as the United States Navy’s air-to-ground employment subject matter expert at Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC); as a student at the Naval War College; at the Joint Staff in Suffolk as an observer/trainer for the Deployable Training Division; and to Navy Personnel Command as the commander TACAIR detailer.
He reported aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in April 2021.
Capt. Marchesi holds a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies, graduating with Highest Distinction, and an Advanced Qualification Code in Irregular Warfare from the Naval War College.
Capt. Marchesi has over 3,700 flight hours, 750 arrested landings, and 129 combat missions over Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. His personal decorations include an Individual Air Medal with V, Meritorious Service Medal (two), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Strike Flight Air Medal (eight), Navy Commendation Medal (four, one w/V), Navy Achievement Medal (two), and various campaign and service awards.
CMDCM Keith Wilkerson, Jr.
Command Master Chief Keith Wilkerson Jr. was born in Birmingham, Alabama and raised in the Washington D.C area. He graduated from Seneca Valley High School in June 1998 and entered the U.S. Navy attending basic training in Great Lakes, IL in February 1999.
After completing recruit training, he attended Seaman Apprentice School in Great Lakes, IL. His first duty assignment was with USS Ford (FFG 54) in Everett, WA. After completing 2 Western Pacific deployments, he left as a Store Keeper Second Class in 2003. He took follow on orders to USS Momsen (DDG 92) in Everett, WA after commissioning her and completing a Southern Pacific deployment he was advanced to Store Keeper First Class in 2006.
In June 2006, he was selected to Navy Recruiting District Chicago as the Recruiter-In-Charge of Navy Recruiting Station Milwaukee. Master Chief Wilkerson was charged with finding the Navy’s newest and brightest leaders. In September 2008, he was advanced to Chief Petty Officer Store Keeper. In February 2009, after completing his recruiting tour he accepted orders to the Navy’s newest combatant, Littoral Combat Ship ONE (LCS 1) USS Freedom as the Supply Officer, where he took part in her maiden deployment making history as the first LCS to participate in Drug Interdiction Operations.
In February 2013, Master Chief Wilkerson checked into NCTAMS LANT DET Rota, Spain as the Supply Officer and LCPO of N9, and was advanced to Senior Chief Logistics Specialist in June 2013. He then took the helm as NCTAMS DET Rota’s Senior Enlisted Leader on January 1, 2015. On March 4, 2016, he checked aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) as the Supply Department Readiness LCPO where he was advanced to Master Chief.
Master Chief Wilkerson was selected to the Command Master Chief Program in 2016 and served as the HSC 25 command master chief (CMC) stationed in Guam from October 2016 - October 2018. He most recently served as a dual hatted CMC of Commander, Task Force 72 and Commander, Fleet Air Western Pacific in Atsugi Japan.
He is currently serving as the CMC of the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75).
His academic achievements include an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration; Senior Enlisted Professional Military Education; Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education; West Coast Executive Leadership symposium; and a fellow of National Defense University KEYSTONE. He is an honor graduate from the Navy’s Senior Enlisted Academy, the CMC/COB course (Class 161).
His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards) Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (six awards), and various service and campaign awards.