John Figuerres joined the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency in August 2023. Originally from Carmel, California, he began his military career in July 1981 when he was sworn into the U.S. Navy. In May 1985, he was commissioned as an Ensign after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in General Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy.
His early sea duty assignments included a tour aboard USS RAMSEY (FFG 2) in San Diego, CA, where he served as First Lieutenant and Machinery Division Officer, completing a Western Pacific deployment. In August 1988, he transferred to USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65) in Alameda, CA, initially as Assistant Communications Officer and later as Assistant First Lieutenant, culminating in a World Cruise deployment.
After four years of sea duty, he was assigned to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, in December 1990 earning a master’s degree in Space Systems Engineering. From April 1994 to April 1998, he served on USS HALYBURTON (FFG 40) in Charleston, SC, and USS TICONDEROGA (CG 47) in Norfolk, VA, as Operations Officer. During this period, he completed a Middle East Force deployment and two Counter Drug deployments.
In July 1998, he was selected as Executive Officer Special Mission and reported to USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70) in Bremerton, WA, where he served as Auxiliaries Officer and Senior Tactical Action Officer. While aboard, the CARL VINSON Battle Group participated in Operation DESERT FOX, conducting offensive combat operations against Iraq.
In January 2000, he made history as the first XO Special Mission selected for Command at Sea. Shortly after, in June 2000, he reported to the Navy International Programs Office in Washington, DC, where he served as the Egypt Country Program Director. In this role, he managed the U.S. Navy’s Foreign Military Sales program with Egypt, strengthening international defense partnerships.
In May 2003, he assumed command of USS REUBEN JAMES (FFG 57) in Pearl Harbor, HI, where he led the ship through a successful Counter Drug deployment. His leadership contributed to the interception and rescue of 149 foreign migrants being trafficked illegally to the U.S. In January 2005, he joined the staff of Commander Pacific Fleet, serving as the Current Operations Officer, where he oversaw the daily coordination of operations across the world’s largest maritime area of responsibility.
Expanding his expertise in international defense policy, he joined U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) in August 2007 as Chief, Northeast Asia Policy Division. In this capacity, he shaped Department of Defense policy and managed U.S. engagement with China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Russia, and Mongolia. He also served as Executive Assistant to the INDOPACOM Deputy Commander. In December 2009, he was appointed as the first INDOPACOM Director of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Strategic Focus Group, advising the commander on U.S. government strategy and policy toward the DPRK.
In April 2011, he assumed command of Afloat Training Group Middle Pacific (ATGMIDPAC) in Pearl Harbor, where he was responsible for certifying U.S. Navy surface combatants and U.S. Coast Guard ships for deployment. Under his leadership, ATGMIDPAC was recognized as one of the Navy’s top ten commands for advancement opportunities for two consecutive years. The command also received the CNO Bainbridge Award for excellence in community service.
His most honored active-duty awards include seven Sea Service Deployment Ribbons and four Battle Efficiency Awards, reflecting the excellence of the crews he served with. CAPT Figuerres retired from active service in August 2014.
Following retirement, he continued his service as an Emergency Management Assessor for the State of Hawaii. In February 2015, he returned to the Department of Defense 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 as Deputy N9, Warfighting Assessments and Readiness, later serving as the Acting N9 Director from January to August 2022.
In September 2022, he played a key role in establishing the newly created Fleet Information Warfare Command Pacific, where he served as Deputy of Operations. His extensive experience in operations, policy, and training continues to guide his contributions as Deputy Director for Operations (Acting) at DPAA.