Rear Adm. Marcus Hitchcock is a native of Salt Lake City and a 1985 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering. He was subsequently designated as a naval aviator in 1987. He also completed the U.S. Naval War College, Armed Forces Staff College, and the U.S. Navy Nuclear Propulsion Program.

As a flag officer, Hitchcock commanded Navy Warfare Development Command and Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 3. He also served as director of Fleet and Joint Training for U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

Afloat command tours include USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), USS Peleliu (LHA 5), and Fighter Squadron (VF) 32. Additional sea tours include duty as executive officer of USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), department head with VF-32, and division officer with Attack Squadron (VA) 155 with service in major operations Desert Storm, Deliberate Guard, Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. He accumulated over 3,700 flight hours flying the A-6E, F-14 A/B, and F-18 E/F/G from the decks of eight aircraft carriers and amassed more than 850 carrier-arrested landings and 75 combat sorties.

Ashore, he served as a CVN requirements officer for Naval Air Forces, Atlantic Fleet; as a deployable training team member at U.S. Joint Forces Command; as aide to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (N8) on the staff of the chief of naval operations; and, as an instructor pilot with VA-128.

Hitchcock is very proud of the Battle "E" award winning teams he led with VF-32, USS Peleliu and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross (with Combat V), Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal (with Combat V), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with Combat V) and other various other medals, campaign and service awards.

Last Updated: 29 December 2025