LIEUTENANT COMMANDER JOHN W. KINNIER
COMMANDING OFFICER

John Wesley Kinnier was born in Spalding, Nebraska in July 1937, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Kinnier. He attended Spalding High School from which he progressed to the University of Nebraska where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. His efforts there were recognized by his being named recipient of the O.J. Ferguson Award as the outstanding engineering graduate of the university.

His Naval Service began on 6 June 1959, when he was commissioned as Ensign, U.S. Navy upon completion of the regular NROTC program. The initial duty assignment for Ensign Kinnier was to USS BARTON (DD-722) where he served as Electronic Material Officer, Combat Information Center Officer, and, ultimately, Operations Officer. A tour at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California afforded Lieutenant Kinnier an academic challenge resulting in his award of a Master of Science degree in Physics. Back to sea in destroyers, he served as Weapons Officer is USS SAMPSON (DDG-10) until September 1966. He then assumed command of the USS CHASE COUNTY (LST-532), operating continuously in the Western Pacific until the ship was decommissioned in April 1967.

A return to the academic atmosphere of Monterey led to a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Physics, which was conferred in June 1970.

Again returning to destroyers, Lieutenant Commander Kinnier served as Executive Officer in USS SCHOFIELD (DEG-3) until January 1972. This preceeded his present assignment as the first Commanding Officer of USS BREWTON (DE-1086).

His service has earned him the right to wear the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Lieutenant Commander Kinnier is married to the former Shirley Anne Ingram of Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Kinniers have three children, Anne, Alice, and John II.

14