Member Patrick Dunham retired after 33 years of Naval Service!

ENCM (SW) Patrick J. Dunham

Master Chief Petty Officer Dunham was born in Chicago, IL.  In 1984, he graduated from Notre Dame High School in Niles, IL and attended Marquette University during which time he enlisted in the United States Navy Reserves.  In 1987 he took time off from college to attend Basic Training after which, he attended EN "A" School, both at Great Lakes.  After a brief return to college, Master Chief switched from the Reserves to Active Duty in September of 1989.

Upon completion of NAVET training he reported to the USS LASALLE (AGF 3) in the Persian Gulf. During this time he was advanced to Third Class Petty Officer and Second Class Petty Officer.  After serving in Desert Shield and Storm he transferred to USS HALYBURTON (FFG-40) in November 1991 where he served as the Leading Petty Officer of the Auxiliary Division.  Ashore, Master Chief Dunham was stationed with the Navy Absentee Collection Unit at Great Lakes from January 1993 to November 1995 where he served as a military escort and investigator.  Upon completion of this tour, he re-affiliated with the Navy Reserve, reporting to ASSAULT CRAFT UNIT ONE at Great Lakes.  In 2000 he was advanced to First Class Petty Officer and in 2002 he was selected for Chief Petty Officer.   In September of 2002, he was assigned as the Chief Engineer of ASSAULT CRAFT UNIT ONE.

In February 2004, he was assigned to INSHORE BOAT UNIT 24, serving as the Chief Engineer.  In July 2004, he and his unit were deployed in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, providing force protection for all naval assets at Kuwaiti Naval Base and Ash Shuaybah.  In February 2006 he was assigned to NAVSEA SURGEMAIN CHICAGO as the Senior Enlisted Leader as well as the Alpha Drill Weekend Senior Enlisted Leader for Navy Operations Support Center Chicago.  Also in 2006 he was advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer, attending the Senior Enlisted Academy in June and July 2007.

From April 2008 until March 2009 he served as the Deputy Senior Enlisted Leader of the Reserve NAVSEA component after which he assumed the duties as Senior Enlisted Leader of the National SURGEMAIN Program, responsible for 58 units and over 1200 Sailors nation-wide, supporting the four naval shipyards.  In 2011 he was selected for advancement to Master Chief Petty Officer.

In February 2012, Master Chief Dunham was recalled to active duty in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM and assigned to UNITED STATES FLEET FORCES COMMAND in Norfolk, VA.  He served as the manpower manager for approximately 9000 active duty individual augmentation and reserve mobilization billets in Afghanistan, Cuba, Djibouti and the Persian Gulf.  In July 2013, he returned home and was assigned as the Senior Enlisted Leader for the US Fleet Forces Maritime Operations Center Chicago.  In 2015 was selected as the Senior Enlisted Leader for US Fleet Forces Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping Federation consisting of six units nationwide.  In 2017 transferred to VTU-1314G where he served as its CPOIC until his retirement.

Master Chief Dunham has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern Illinois with a minor in Accounting and Political Science.  His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Award and various units and campaign awards.  He currently resides in Lindenhurst with his wife and children where he serves on the Village Board and serves as the Chairman of the Village Finance Committee.