Chris Williamson
Bio
Mass Communication Specialist First Class (SW/IW) Chris Williamson was born August 12, 1988 in Sioux Falls, SD. He graduated from Lennox High School, SD, in May 2006 and entered the Navy on March 17, 2008. After completing basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes he attended Mass Communication Specialist “A” School at Fort George G. Meade, MD.
In November 2008, Petty Officer Williamson reported to his first command, USS NASSAU (LHA 4) homeported in Norfolk, VA. While onboard he qualified as an Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist and was advanced to Petty Officer Third Class.
After NASSAU’s decommissioning, Petty Officer Williamson reported to USS EMORY S. LAND (AS 39) forward-deployed out of Diego Garcia in June 2011, where he was responsible for being one of two photojournalists and managing the ship’s public affairs program. While onboard, he completed two patrols in the 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility, and was promoted to Petty Officer Second Class.
Upon completion of a one-year tour on EMORY S. LAND, he reported to COMMANDER, OPERATIONAL TEST AND EVALUATION FORCE in Norfolk, VA in June 2012. Petty Officer Williamson assumed the duties and responsibilities as the Assistant Leading Petty Officer of the Graphics/Print Shop, and was awarded Sailor of the Quarter three times and was the command’s Sailor of the Year in 2014.
He then reported to USS GREEN BAY (LPD 20) forward-deployed out of Sasebo, Japan in August 2015. He served as the Independent Duty Mass Communication Specialist and Enlisted Public Affairs Officer. During his tenure aboard GREEN BAY, he completed three deployments, qualified as an Enlisted Information Warfare Specialist and was advanced to Petty Officer First Class.
Petty Officer Williamson is assigned to the Military Photojournalism Program at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, NY. Upon graduation from the program, he will report to Joint Chiefs of Staff, Pentagon, Arlington, VA in June 2018.
Petty Officer Williamson’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (four awards), Navy Good Conduct Medal (three awards), and Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.