Commander John J. Gorman Jr. is a native of Philadelphia, PA. He graduated from Villanova University with a Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned an Ensign in May 1971. His first assignment was the USS Providence (CLG-6) as Assistant Communications Officer.

When the Providence was decommissioned in 1973, he was assigned to the Naval Electronics Laboratory in San Diego as Military Personnel Officer. In 1975, he was transferred to the USS Cleveland (LPD-7) as Communications Officer. Following this tour, he earned his Masters of Science in Computer Systems Management at the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA. Upon completion of Department Head School, he reported to the USS Hoel (DDG-13) as Weapons Officer in 1979.

His next duty assignment was as Operations Officer of USS Gridley (CG-21). Following this tour, he served as a Systems Analyst at the Fleet Combat Direction Systems Support Activity in San Diego. He reported to USS Waddell in December 1984. He was relieved as Executive Officer in Ketchikan, Alaska in July of 1986. He then taught Naval Operations to mid-grade officers from around the world at the Naval Staff College in Newport, Rhode Island. His final tour was as the Seventh Fleet Representative to Western Australia. Since retiring in September 1992, CDR Gorman has been working in the field of Training and Education, and is currently a Training Project Manager with General Physics Corporation.

Commander Gorman’s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy Achievement Medal (with Combat V), the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Sea Service Ribbon.