CAPTAIN JOHN DE PREE
UNITED STATES NAVY

 

Professor of Naval Science

Captain John “Cosmo” De Pree is a native of Mt. Shasta, California and a 1996 Distinguished Graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.  He was designated a Naval Flight Officer in January 1998.

As a career Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) in the F-14 Tomcat and later, Weapon Systems Officer (WSO) in the F/A-18F Rhino, De Pree commanded Strike Fighter Squadron ONE FIVE FOUR (VFA-154) based in Lemoore, CA.  He is a veteran of six deployments with service in VF-102, VFA-2, VFA-41, and VFA-154. 

Ashore, De Pree served as a Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor in VFA-122, J-39 Plans Chief at U.S. Northern Command, the Deputy Branch Head for Campaign Analysis & Modeling and Simulation in the Assessment Division (N81), Office of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Integration of Capabilities and Resources), and most recently as the 50th Commanding Officer of Naval Base Coronado.     

Captain De Pree is a graduate of the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), the Naval Postgraduate School (with distinction) and the Naval War College (with highest distinction).  His postgraduate degrees include an Executive Master’s Degree in Business Administration and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies.

In October 2021 Captain De Pree assumed command of the Naval ROTC Unit at Oregon State University.   

Captain De Pree has accumulated over 3,350 flight hours and nearly 900 carrier arrested landings. He has over 1,000 hours in the F-14A/B+ Tomcat and over 2,000 hours in the F/A-18F Rhino, including over 400 combat hours over Afghanistan and Iraq.  His personal awards include the Legion of Merit (2 awards), Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V”, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Strike Flight Air Medal (7 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3 awards, one with Combat “V”).

Captain De Pree is married to his sweetheart Eve and is pleased to call Corvallis, Oregon home where they reside with their two children, Thomas and Emily.