John Figuerres joined the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency in August 2023. Originally hailing from Carmel, California, he commenced his military career in July 1981 when he was sworn into the US Navy. In May 1985, he was commissioned as an Ensign after completing his studies at the US Naval Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in General Engineering.
During his early years of service, ENS Figuerres embarked on his initial sea tour aboard the USS RAMSEY (FFG 2) in San Diego, CA, as First Lieutenant and Machinery Division Officer. This tour included a Western Pacific deployment. In August 1988, he transferred to the USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65) in Alameda, CA, initially serving as the assistant Communications Officer and later as the assistant First Lieutenant. His tenure culminated in a World Cruise deployment.
In December 1990, he pursued further education at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, specializing in Space Systems Engineering. From April 1994 to April 1998, then LCDR Figuerres served on the USS HALYBURTON (FFG 40) in Charleston, SC, and the USS TICONDEROGA (CG 47) in Norfolk, VA, as Operations Officer, successfully completing a Middle East Force deployment, and two Counter Drug deployments. In July 1998, he was selected as the Executive Officer Special Mission and reported to the USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70) in Bremerton, WA, as Auxiliaries Officer and served as the senior Tactical Action Officer. During this period, the CARL VINSON Battle Group participated in Operation DESERT FOX, conducting offensive combat operations against Iraq.
In January 2000, CDR Figuerres made history by becoming the first XO Special Mission selected for Command at Sea. In June 2000, he transferred to the Navy International Programs Office in Washington, DC, as the Egypt Country Program Director, responsible for managing the US Navy's Foreign Military Sales program with Egypt.
In May 2003, he took command of the USS REUBEN JAMES (FFG 57) in Pearl Harbor, HI, where he trained and led the ship through a successful Counter Drug deployment, which included the intercept and rescue of 149 foreign immigrants being trafficked illegally to the US. In January 2005, CDR Figuerres reported to the staff of the Commander Pacific Fleet, serving as the Current Operations Officer, and overseeing daily coordination of operations in the world's largest Maritime Area of Responsibility.
In August 2007, CAPT Figuerres joined the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) as Chief, Northeast Asia Policy Division. In this capacity, he executed and shaped Department of Defense policy and managed US engagement for the countries of China/Taiwan/Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Russia, and Mongolia. He also served as the Executive Assistant to the INDOPACOM Deputy Commander. In December 2009, he was assigned as the first INDOPACOM Director of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK - North Korea) Strategic Focus Group, tasked with advising the Commander on USG Strategy and Policy towards the DPRK.
In April 2011, CAPT Figuerres assumed command of Afloat Training Group Middle Pacific (ATGMIDPAC) in Pearl Harbor, responsible for certifying for deployment Mid-Pacific US Navy Surface combatants and US Coast Guard ships in Basic Training. ATGMIDPAC earned recognition as one of the top ten Commands in the entire Navy for the best opportunity to advance for two consecutive years, along with the CNO Bainbridge Award for community service. His most honored active-
duty awards, are unit awards, including seven sea service deployment ribbons and four Battle Efficiency awards earned as a member of the crews of the previously mentioned ships. CAPT Figuerres retired from active service in August 2014.
Immediately following retirement, he worked for the State of Hawaii as an Emergency Management assessor. He returned to the Department of Defense from February 2015 to March 2018, he served as a Joint Operational Planner, China Plans on the staff of the Commanding General of Marine Forces Pacific. In March 2018, he rejoined the U.S. Pacific Fleet staff as Deputy N9, Warfighting Assessments and Readiness. From January to August 2022, he served as the Acting N9 Director. In September 2022, he played a pivotal role in establishing the newly created Fleet Information Warfare Command Pacific and served as the Deputy of Operations.
Beyond his military and government service, Mr. Figuerres actively contributes to his community. He serves as a board member of the African American Diversity Cultural Center Hawaii and is a member of the Pan-Pacific American Leaders and Mentors. He competes in open ocean canoe paddling in the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association (6 person canoes) and the Kanaka Ikaika Racing Association (1 man canoe) and has competed on the US mainland and the UK.