On Thursday, May 26, the Lancers hailed Cmdr. William and Monica Park.Park took the reins as Executive Officer of Electronic Attack Squadron 131 attached to Carrier Air Wing Two and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).

He is a third generation Sailor from Rock Island, Ill., who graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1988, earning a bachelor’s degree in mathematics.

After designation as a Naval Flight Officer, he reported to the VA-42 Green Pawns in Oceana, Va., for initial training in the A-6 Intruder.

During this time, he was selected to the collegiate All-East, club All-South, All-Navy and All-Military rugby teams.

His first operational assignment was with the VA-176 Thunderbolts, embarked on USS Forrestal (CV 59), flying missions in support of Operation Provide Comfort. Upon the squadron’s disestablishment, he was presented the Patterson-Cullen Junior Officer Leadership Award. His next assignment was with the VA-34 Blue Blasters, embarked on the USS George Washington (CVN 73).

Following EA-6B transition training in May 1995, he reported to the VAQ-136 Gauntlets, forward deployed in Atsugi, Japan flying missions in support of Operation Southern Watch and the Taiwanese Straight Crisis.

He served as Tactics and Administrative Officers, and was awarded the 1996 Association of Old Crows Joint Service Award for Electronic Warfare Excellence.

In December 1996, Park reported as Flag Lieutenant to the dual-hatted Commander, Amphibious Group Two/Naval Doctrine Command, homeported in Norfolk.

One year later, he reported to the VAQ-129 Vikings at Whidbey Island as a flight instructor, also serving as the assistant administrative and training officers.

After two years with the Vikings, Park was assigned to the VAQ-133 Wizards, flying missions in support of Operations Northern and Southern Watch. There, he served as the tactics, operations, and maintenance officers, and was selected as 2000 Commander Naval Air Forces Pacific, Naval Flight Officer of the Year.

In March 2003, Park graduated with distinction from the Naval War College in Newport, R.I., with a master of art degree in national security and strategic studies. In the two years prior to reporting to VAQ-131, he served as an action officer on the Joint Staff, J-3, Joint Operations Directorate, U.S Central Command Division, in Washington, D.C., writing operational plans and providing current operations support to the national leadership and U.S. Central Command.

Park’s decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (three Strike/Flight Awards), Navy Commendation Medal (five awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (two awards), and various unit and campaign awards. He has accumulated over 2,900 flight hours, including 1,000 hours in both the A-6 and EA-6B, and 500 carrier arrested landings.

The Parks make their home in Anacortes, Wash., with their children, Andrew, Alaina and Juliana.