Cmdr. Rocky Burns, from Philadelphia, takes Naval command

There's a Philadelphia native by the name of Rocky who has achieved a level of glory and heroism even beyond his famous namesake.

United States Navy Cmdr. Rocky S. Burns will take over as Commanding Officer of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VR) 61, the Navy announced this week. A change of command ceremony will take place February 6, on board Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island in Oak Harbor, Washington.

Cmdr. Burns grew up in Philadelphia and is a 1994 graduate of Saint John Neumann High School. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1998. He later deployed throughout U.S 6th Fleet and U.S. 5th Fleet in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. After transferring to the Navy Reserve Full Time support community and worked at both the pentagon and in the office of Rep. Kay Granger.

Burns has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit and campaign awards.