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USS Mississippi CGN-40 Official Crew Website
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WILLIAM J. LAZ
CAPTAIN, UNITED STATES NAVY
COMMANDING OFFICER
Captain William J. Laz was born November 24, 1947, in Aurora, Illinois. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy,
Anapolis, Maryland, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1969. He then attended Nuclear Power School at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo,
California, and the Nuclear Power Training Unit, Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Captain Laz has served in a variety of shipboard assignments. Initially he served as Gunnery Officer in USS C.P. CECIL (DD-835), and in the Reactor
Department of USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65). Follow-on tours included Operations Officer in USS BARNEY (DDG-6), duty in the Engineering
Department of USS MISSISSIPPI (CGN-40), and as Main Propulsion Assistant in USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70). He served as Executive Officer in
USS Truxtun (CGN-35), and Chief Engineer in USS NIMITZ (CVN-68). He commanded USS DAHLGREN (DDG-43) and served as Commanding Officer of the Atlantic Fleet
Surface Nuclear Propulsion Mobile Training Team.
Captain Laz also attended the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia. Among the decorations and service medals he has received are: three Meritorious Service
Medals, two Navy Commendation Medals, the Navy Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, various campaign ribbons from the Vietnam Conflict and unit awards.
Captain Laz is married to the former Marcia Landry of Baltimore, Maryland. They reside with their four daughters Jennifer, Jessica, Allison and Amanda in Virginia Beach,
Virginia.
