SAN DIEGO, California –
United States Navy Capt. John Soracco assumed command of Defense Logistics Agency Distribution San Diego, Calif., on July 31 with a traditional Navy ceremony officiated by Naval Supply Systems Command Global Logistics Support vice commander William E. Bickert, Jr. Soracco’s mother, Sara, assisted in pinning the Command Ashore Insignia on her sons uniform.
Originally from Mercer Island, Wash., Soracco was commissioned in the U.S. Navy through the NROTC program at Washington State University in May 1990. He holds master’s degrees in business administration and national security and strategic studies.
Soracco’s initial sea tours were as a surface warfare officer on the USS Jesse L. Brown (FF 1089) and USS Vicksburg (CG 69), before his lateral transfer and redesignation as a Supply Corps officer. He was subsequently assigned as supply officer on the USS Lewis B. Puller (FFG 29) and upon the decommissioning of the Puller, he was assigned as supply officer on the USS Kinkaid (DD 965).
Next, Soracco was assigned as assistant supply officer, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Most recently he served as the supply officer, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), home ported in Everett, Wash. Soracco has deployed twice to the Caribbean Sea, the Mediterranean Sea/Arabian Gulf, and three Western Pacific/Arabian Gulf deployments.
Ashore, Soracco served as weapons system manager for Hull, Mechanical & Electrical Division, Naval Inventory Control Point, Mechanicsburg, Pa. He was subsequently selected as aide to the Commander, Naval Inventory Control Point, with follow-on assignment as integrated weapon system team leader for the S-3B Viking and C-130/KC-130J Hercules aviation platforms, Naval Inventory Control Point Philadelphia, Pa. Next, he was assigned to the staff of Commander, Naval Air Forces as the force supply afloat policy, training, and inspection officer. He was then assigned to the Naval War College, Newport, R.I. Following Naval War College, Soracco was assigned to headquarters, Defense Logistics Agency, Fort Belvoir, Va. Most recently, Soracco was assigned to the staff of Chief of Naval Operations, branch head, Spares Programs and Policy (N412).
“My prior operational policy tours have provided me the background and leadership development to prepare me for this challenging and vital warfighter supporting assignment,” said Soracco.
Soracco’s personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, six Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, and two Navy Achievement Medal. He is a qualified surface warfare officer, surface warfare supply corps officer, and naval aviation supply officer. He is a member of the Defense Acquisition Corps and a designated joint specialty officer.