Capt. Eddie Crossman relieved Capt. Dennis L. Farrell as commanding officer of USS San Jacinto (CG 56), during a change of command ceremony held Dec. 9,  aboard the ship at Naval Station Norfolk.

Farrell assumed command in December 2017, and successfully led the guided-missile cruiser through a highly intensive maintenance phase, light off assessment, contractor and type commander sea trials, an integrated basic phase and the group sail.

“My time on San Jacinto has been a highlight of my career in the Naval Service,” said Farrell. “It has been an honor to serve with the finest crew in the Navy, on the best ship in the Navy, made so by her ‘Gunslingers’ and those who support them at home.”

Born and raised in Fayston, Vt. and Kinnelon, N.J., Crossman graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. Following graduation, he earned an MBA from Norwich University, became a 2010 Georgetown Congressional Fellow and a 2011 graduate of the NATO Defense College, Rome Italy. Crossman recently graduated from the Eisenhower School of National Resourcing Strategy.

“I appreciate the warm welcome,” said Crossman. “I look forward to continuing to grow and strive to the standard of excellence this ship and its crew has already set.”

Previously, Crossman served as executive officer before being fleeted up to commanding officer aboard USS Carney (DDG 64), earning the Battle ‘E’. Ashore, he served at NROTC Norwich and as a Flag Aide to commander, U.S. Southern Command. He also has served as Defense Fellow to Senator Roger Wicker, (R-MS), chairman of the Senate Seapower Subcommittee of the Armed Services Committee, and as a deputy director, Navy Office of Legislative Affairs, managing the Navy’s surface portfolio to Congress.

USS San Jacinto is named for the battle of the same name that took place near Houston and led to Texas gaining independence from Mexico. CG 56 is attached to Carrier Strike Group 10 and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). The crew’s motto, deeply echoed by their work and success, is “Victory is Certain.”

For more information about USS San Jacinto, visit https://www.facebook.com/USSSanJacinto/ or https://www.public.navy.mil/surflant/cg56/Pages/default.aspx

Get more information about the Navy from US Navy facebook or twitter.

For more news from Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/.