David Antanitus:  

David J. Antanitus is a native of La Salle, Illinois. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy in June 1974. Ensign Antanitus entered the Nuclear Submarine Service upon graduation from the Naval Academy. He completed Nuclear Power School training in Bainbridge, Maryland, followed by nuclear prototype training at Windsor Locks, Connecticut. Upon completion of the Submarine Officer’s Indoctrination Course (SOIC) in Groton, Connecticut, he joined his first ship, USS Parche (SSN 683), during a port call in Taranto, Italy. While aboard Parche, he completed a deployment to the Mediterranean and made an intra Fleet transfer to the Pacific in late 1976. While aboard Parche, he served as Communications Officer, Main Propulsion Assistant, Sonar Officer and ultimately as Weapons Officer. He completed qualification in Submarines, was promoted twice, saw the ship through a conversion to a special projects platform, and completed two special projects missions. For these missions, Parche was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation and the Presidential Unit Citation (normally a wartime award). Leaving Parche in December 1978, Lieutenant Antanitus reported to Submarine Squadron 14 in Holy Loch, Scotland for 2 years of shore duty. There he served as an assistant to the Deputy Squadron Commander for readiness and training. In December, 1980, Lieutenant Antanitus reported to the Submarine Officer’s Advance Course at the Naval Submarine School, Groton, Connecticut. After 6 months of classroom training, he reported as Engineer Officer of USS Ulysses S. Grant (Blue) which was home ported in Groton and conducted refits in Holy Loch, Scotland. While serving on U.S. Grant, he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander, made 3 Strategic Deterrent Patrols, and completed a nuclear refueling overhaul. During his first refit period on Grant, he completed “Qualification for Command” of submarines, the first officer in his year group to do so. In June 1985, Lieutenant Commander Antanitus reported to the 8 week Prospective Executive Officer course at Submarine School followed immediately by reporting as Executive Officer of USS Boston (SSN 703). (Boston was also home ported in Groton, Connecticut.) While on Boston, he fired over 200 exercise Advanced Capability (ADCAP) torpedoes to support the development program for this new generation heavyweight torpedo. He also completed a forward area anti submarine operational deployment to the North Atlantic. Following his XO tour, Lieutenant Commander Antanitus was assigned as a Weapons Systems Analyst in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OP-74) in the Pentagon. There, he became known for his knowledge and expertise with the Harpoon and Tomahawk weapons systems. While at OP-74, he aided in the planning for the Tomahawk missile strikes in the early part of Desert Storm and was promoted to...Expand for more