Paul J. Kaylor, a native of Kennerdell, has been promoted to captain in the U.S. Navy.
He is the son of the late Malcolm and Alice Kaylor and is a 1986 graduate of Cranberry High School.
Kaylor enlisted in the Navy in 1986 as an undesignated fireman, was selected to Gas Turbine Systems Technician (mechanical) chief petty officer in 1995, and commissioned through the Limited Duty Officer Program in April 1998.
Kaylor assumed command of Engineering Assessments Atlantic in June 2019. In his most recent assignment, he served as Military Assistant to Deputy Chief of Staff Strategic Plans and Policy at NATO HQ Strategic Allied Command Transformation.
Afloat, Kaylor completed his early sea assignments aboard the USS Haleakala, homeported at Apra Harbor, Guam; USS Antietam, homeported in Long Beach, California; and USS Wadsworth and USS John Young, homeported in San Diego, California.
He also served as executive officer, fleeting up to commanding officer in USS Nitze homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, from 2014-2017, deploying twice in support of Fifth and Sixth Fleets in support of the global war on terrorism.
Ashore, Kaylor completed his duty assignments at Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity, Long Beach, California; Special Boat Team 12, Coronado, California; and Policy Planner, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Plans and Policy Branch, Norfolk, Virginia.
Kaylor’s personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (seven awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (five awards), Combat Action Ribbon, Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals and various other service campaign and unit decorations. He is also the recipient of the Admiral Arleigh Burke Leadership Award and the 2007 Destroyer Squadron Fifteen Tactician of the Year Award.
