Cmdr. David R. Terry, a native of Salisbury, North Carolina, graduated from North Carolina State University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a commision from the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. He was designated a Naval Aviator in 2007 after completing primary flight training at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi and advanced rotary wing flight training at Naval Air Station Whiting Field.

Terry’s sea tours include service as the detachment training officer, admistrative officer and maintenance officer with the “Wolf Pack” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 45, Seahawk Weapons and Tactics Instructor (SWTI) with Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75 (formerly HSL-45) and department head with the “Proud Warriors” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 72. His sea time includes a deployments aboard USS Gary (FFG 51) in support of counter-illicit trafficking (CIT) efforts, USS McCluckey (FFG 41) and USS Curts (FFG 38) in support of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11, and two deployments with USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and later in support of the first Dynamic Force Employment (DFE) operation. During his sea tours he has been recognized as the HSL-45 Pilot of the Year, HSM-75 Pilot of the Year, HSM-72 Officer of the Year, and Commander Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Atlantic Officer of the Year and the Navy and Marine Corps Leadership award winner.

His shore assignments includes service as an instructor pilot and SWTI with Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 41 and the Helicopter Maritime Strike Placement Officer with PERS-43 at Naval Personnel Command. During his instructor tour, Terry was selected as the HSM-41 Instructor Pilot of the Year and Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Pacific Pilot of the Year.

Terry is currently serving as the executive officer for HSM-78.

Terry has accumulated over 2,500 flight hours in multiple aircraft including the SH-60B Sea Hawk and MH-60R Sea Hawk. His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), and various unit and campaign decorations.

Last Updated: 21 February 2023