Captain John L. Randazzo is a native of Springfield, Virginia. He joined the Navy in June of 1995, attending the United States Naval Academy Prep school and United States Naval Academy before receiving his commission in May of 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering. He also holds a Master of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College.
Operational tours include Commanding Officer of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 48 VIPERS. Under his leadership, the VIPERS executed four combat ready detachments supporting Carrier Strike Groups (CSG) 8, 10, and 12, and earned the coveted 2019 HSM Type Wing Golden Wrench award and the 2020 HSM Type Wing Battle E award. Other tours include Helicopter Submarine Light Squadron (HSL) 37 EASY RIDERS; Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 78 BLUE HAWKS. During these tours of duty, he completed deployments on USS Ruben James (FFG 57) supporting Counter Narco Terrorism Operations, and USS Chosin (CG 65) as part of Expeditionary Strike Group One (ESG) 1 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Ashore, he served the Chief of Naval Operations staff as the Executive Assistant to the Director of Naval Air Warfare (N98) and the Aviation Manpower Branch Head; NORTHCOM, Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region in Washington, DC as the J36 Current Air Operations Officer and the J38 Contingency Coordination Center Officer in Charge; Navy Personnel Command (NPC) in Millington, TN as the helicopter community Initial Shore Tour Assignments Officer (PERS-432D) and the Second Sea Tour Assignments Officer (PERS-432H); the HSL-40 AIR WOLVES in Mayport, FL as a Fleet Replenishment Squadron (FRS) Instructor pilot.
Personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (3 awards), Navy Achievement Medal (2 awards), 2012 HSM-78 squadron Officer of the year where he is a “Plank Owner,” and numerous unit and campaign awards.
Last Updated: 12 July 2023