Commander T. Ray Stewart, Chaplain Corps

The Ride Home

17 - 18 September 2010

Andersonville National Historic Site
Andersonville, GA

home of the

National Prisoner of War Museum

Commander T. Ray Stewart

Chaplain Corps

United States Navy

Commander Ray Stewart is a native of Charleston, South Carolina. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and graduated from Recruit Training at Paris Island in August of 1976. He attended Baptist College of Charleston (SC) and graduated with a Bachelor
of Science degree in 1980. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Marine Reserves in 1982 at the rank of Sergeant. He went
on to receive his Master of Divinity degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1983 and pastored three churches from 1983 until 1995.

In 1995, Chaplain Stewart was commissioned a Lieutenant and attended the Chaplain
Corps Basic Course in Newport, RI. He was recipient of the Leadership Award upon graduation.

Chaplain Stewartís first assignment was the USS EMORY S. LAND (AS 39) in Norfolk, VA.
He was then assigned in January 1998 to 3^rd Marine Division in Okinawa, Japan. While there,
he was assigned to Combat Assault Battalion and then served as the 12^th Marine
Regimental Chaplain. He deployed as the Landing Force CARAT chaplain in 1998.

In 2001, Chaplain Stewart was assigned to the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71)
and deployed immediately after the September 11 terrorist attacks in support of
OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. His next assignment was to the Chaplain
Resource Branch in Norfolk, VA, where he served as webmaster for the Chaplain Corps
website and produced resource products for the Chief of Chaplains office.

In December of 2004, Chaplain Stewart reported to the 2^nd Marine Air Wing in Cherry Point,
NC and was assigned as the Marine Air Control Group 28 chaplain. He deployed to Al Asad,
Iraq in February 2005 in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.

In July 2006, Chaplain Stewart was selected to be the Deputy Executive Assistant to the Chief
of Navy Chaplains in Washington, D.C. In January 2009, he reported as Director, Surface
Forces Ministry Center Mayport, Florida, where he currently serves.

Chaplain Stewartís personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, five
Navy Commendation Medals and two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals.

Chaplain Stewart is married to the former Susanne Ray Johnson, of Charleston, SC. They
have two grown daughters, Ashley and Katie.