Commander Ira “Eli” Marshall is a native of Palm Coast, FL where he attended high school. He received his commission in 2001 from the United States Naval Academy, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Quantitative Economics. Following flight training at NAS Whiting Field, Commander Marshall was designated an unrestricted Naval Aviator in June 2003. He then reported to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light Forty (HSL-40) at Naval Station Mayport and completed Fleet Replacement Training in the SH-60B Seahawk Helicopter in March 2004.
At sea, he deployed with the “Proud Warriors” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light Four Two (HSL-42) as Assistant Operations Officer and NATOPs Officer; Commander Carrier Strike Group Eight Helicopter Element Coordinator; and the “Blue Hawks” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Seven Eight (HSM-78) as the Officer-in-Charge of the first ever squadron detachment. He completed his most recent tour as the Range Operations Officer at Pacific Missile Range Facility in charge of Fleet Training for deploying units and the scheduling and execution of Test & Evaluation activities for various ballistic missile defense events. Throughout his career, he has deployed five times in support of numerous operations across the 2nd,3rd, 5th, 6th and 7th Fleets, embarking aboard various ships including the USS Hawes (DDG-53), USS James E. Williams (DDG-95), USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), and the USS Kidd (DDG-100).
Commander Marshall’s shore assignments include Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light Forty (HSL-40) as an instructor in the SH-60B; Cruise Missile Support Activity Pacific where he served as the Director of Intelligence (J2), Operations (J3), and future Operations/Plans (J5) for Tomahawk Strike Planning; Air Operations Program Manager for Commander, Navy Region Hawaii; and the Range Operations Officer for Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai. He is currently assigned to be the PXO of Pacific Missile Range Facility.
He has accumulated over 2,600 hours in the H-60 B/R, a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College Distance Learning program earning his JPME Phase 1, and has a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of North Florida. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medals, and Navy Achievement Medals.
Last Updated: 9 June 2025