USS Constitution Welcomes Medford Native as 78th Commander

Tuesday, June 25th, 2024 -- 8:03 AM

(Brad Hanson, WAOW) The USS Constitution welcomed its 78th Commander Friday, according to Brad Hanson with WAOW.

And for the first time in its long and storied history, that Commander is from Wisconsin. Crystal Schaefer, a Medford native, took command of Old Ironsides in a ceremony held Friday afternoon. She's just the second woman commander in the ship's 277 year history.

"It is an honor. The history and all of the heritage that goes along with this ship. I don't know what higher honor you can have as a commanding officer in the Navy," Schaefer said.

Her parents traveled from Central Wisconsin to Boston to witness their daughter be a part of history. "We are so proud of her and this whole Navy career she's gone into. And amazed and probably overtaken with awe by what this ship represents for our country," her dad Mike said.

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