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Lieutenant Commander Chen was commissioned at the U.S. Naval Academy with a degree in Physics in May 1999. In January 2000, while participating in the Voluntary Graduate Education Program, he received a Masters Degree in Applied Physics from the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. He completed initial training at the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center and Surface Warfare Officer School, graduating in March 2001.

Following specialized training at the Mine Warfare Training Center, in May 2001, Lieutenant Commander Chen reported as Damage Control Assistant on USS GUARDIAN (MCM-5) homeported in Sasebo, Japan. In June 2002, upon designation as a Surface Warfare Officer and Engineering Officer of the Watch, Lieutenant Chen was assigned as Operations Officer and Senior Watch Officer. In June 2003, Lieutenant Chen transferred to Naval School, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Eglin AFB, Florida. He graduated as Class Leader in April 2004.

Upon completion of the Army Parachutist course at Ft. Benning, Georgia and the EOD Tactical Training course in San Diego, CA, Lieutenant Commander Chen reported as Officer in Charge of EOD Mobile Unit THREE Marine Mammal Systems Detachment FIVE, where he served until December 2004. He was subsequently assigned to EOD Mobile Unit THREE Detachment ELEVEN and deployed to Al Anbar, Iraq in support of the 2^nd Marine Expeditionary Force. During his tour, he led a Navy and Marine EOD Platoon and responded to Improvised Explosive Devices for Regimental Combat Team EIGHT.

Lieutenant Commander Chen was then assigned to Navy Special Warfare Development Group in Dam Neck, Virginia. Following completion of EOD selection and training, he was assigned to Navy Special Warfare Tactical Development Squadron TWO as the EOD Officer in Charge and deployed twice in support of a Joint Special Operations Task Force to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Reporting for duty onboard USS DWIGHT D EISENHOWER, Lieutenant Commander Chen served as Flag LT for RDML Kurt Tidd, Commander Carrier Strike Group 8, deploying to the Persian Gulf in January 2009.

Lieutenant Commander Chen is authorized to wear the Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing Device, two Joint Service Commendation Medals, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation and the Combat Action Ribbon for service with Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Marine and Special Warfare Units.

Lieutenant Commander Chen is married to the former Jessica Anderson Fox of La Jolla, California with whom he has a daughter, Katherine.