MILLINGTON, Tenn. – U.S. Navy Cmdr. Timothy Winters, a native of Fairfield, Maine, recently earned the Meritorious Service Medal for accomplishments made while serving as the commanding officer aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS James E. Williams.
Winters, who is now assigned to Carrier Strike Group 12, was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for completing a $500 million, first-time guided-missile destroyer modernization ahead of schedule and on budget while in charge of James E. Williams from September 2024 to December 2025.
“Serving as the commanding officer of a Navy destroyer was the most rewarding and challenging assignment in my 28-year career,” said Winters. “I’m proud to have served as the leader of her crew and to be the inspiration for the next generation of leaders in our Navy. While command [of a warship] pushes you beyond what you thought possible, the opportunity to lead sailors at this level makes it worth it in every aspect. I’m proud to have personally trained and been a role model for my junior officers and crew and to have contributed to the combat readiness of our Navy.”
Winters enlisted in the Navy immediately after graduating from Lawrence High School in 1998. Winters commissioned through Officer Candidate School Newport, Rhode Island, in 2007.
Named after Medal of Honor and Navy Cross recipient, Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class James E. Williams, one of the Navy’s most highly decorated enlisted sailors, the Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer provides multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities, capable of operating independently or as part of carrier strike groups, surface action groups and expeditionary strike groups.
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity.
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
As Winters and other sailors continue to perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy and protecting the American way of life.
Winters, who is now assigned to Carrier Strike Group 12, was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for completing a $500 million, first-time guided-missile destroyer modernization ahead of schedule and on budget while in charge of James E. Williams from September 2024 to December 2025.
“Serving as the commanding officer of a Navy destroyer was the most rewarding and challenging assignment in my 28-year career,” said Winters. “I’m proud to have served as the leader of her crew and to be the inspiration for the next generation of leaders in our Navy. While command [of a warship] pushes you beyond what you thought possible, the opportunity to lead sailors at this level makes it worth it in every aspect. I’m proud to have personally trained and been a role model for my junior officers and crew and to have contributed to the combat readiness of our Navy.”
Winters enlisted in the Navy immediately after graduating from Lawrence High School in 1998. Winters commissioned through Officer Candidate School Newport, Rhode Island, in 2007.
Named after Medal of Honor and Navy Cross recipient, Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class James E. Williams, one of the Navy’s most highly decorated enlisted sailors, the Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer provides multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities, capable of operating independently or as part of carrier strike groups, surface action groups and expeditionary strike groups.
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity.
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
As Winters and other sailors continue to perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy and protecting the American way of life.