Captain Shepherd was born in Albuquerque, new Mexico and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in February 1958. he served in submarines and destroyers in both the Pacific and Atlantic Fleets. He was selected for the Integration Program and received a direct commission as an Ensign, USN, in December 1965.

Captain Shepherd is married to the former Janice Henry of Albuquerque. They reside in Virginia Beach with their three sons, Gregory, Stephen and Michael.

Following commissioning, Captain Shepherd served sea tours as ASW Officer and First Lieutenant in USS KENNETH D. BAILEY (DD 713) and, following Department Head School, as Engineer Officer in USS HAMNER (DD 718). Following a tour as Material Officer on the Staff of Commander Destroyer Squadron SEVEN, Captain Shepherd was assigned as a Shipboard Advisor to the Vietnamese Navy from April 1971 until April 1972.

In 1975, he was ordered to the precommissioning unit of USS ARTHUR W. RADFORD (DD 968) and, following commissioning, served as Executive Officer. Captain Shepherd was Commanding Officer, USS SPRUANCE (DD 963) from 1981 until 1983 while SPRUANCE deployed to the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf and to duty in Central America. He also served as Operations Officer for Commander, SECOND Fleet and Commander Striking Fleet.

Captain Shepherd’s shore tours have included duties as the Flag Secretary at USCINCLANT-CINCLANTFLT, as a student at the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, VA, and the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, where he received a Master’s Degree in Administrative Science.

Other shore tours have included CINCLANTFLT Propulsion Examining Board, Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations USCINCLANT, and Assistant Chief of Staff for Current Operations, Command and Control at CINCLANTFLT. The later assignment included duties as the First Project Manager for design and introduction into the fleet of the Joint Operations Tactical System (JOTS). He is a designated Joint Specialty Officer and a Proven Subspecialist in Command and Control and in Naval Engineering

Captain Shepherd’s personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with Combat ‘V’, Meritorious Service Medal (with Gold Star) and Navy Commendation Medal (with Gold Star).

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