Alphonso "Pete" Tzomes: Early Life and Career

• Chancellor Alphonso "Pete" Tzomes was born on December 30, 1944, and died on June 13, 2019.

Early Life and Education

• Tzomes was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the eldest of two children to James C. Tzomes and Charlotte E. (Hill) Tzomes.
• His parents instilled in him the importance of hard work and achieving goals from a young age.
• He initially aspired to be a baseball player.
• His plans changed after a U.S. Naval Academy midshipman showed him the film Ring of Valor.
• He was discouraged by a counselor who deemed it "unreasonable to expect that a Negro could go to the Academy."
• He enrolled in the Naval Academy after studying at State University of New York, Oneonta.
• He excelled in math, Russian courses, and athletics at the Naval Academy.
• He graduated on June 7, 1967, and was commissioned as an ensign.
• He pursued a career in the submarine force because he was too short to become a Marine Corps pilot.

Career

• February 1969, reported to the blue crew of USS Will Rogers (SSBN-659).
• December 1970, served in the pre-commissioning unit of USS Pintado (SSN-672).
• April 1973, became engineering officer on USS Drum (SSN-672).
• November 1979, became executive officer of USS Cavalla (SSN-684).
• May 1983, became the first black commanding officer of a nuclear-powered submarine, USS Houston (SSN-713).
• From September 1976 to September 1979, served on the Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board.
• Served as Director, Equal Opportunity Division, Bureau of Naval Personnel.
• Was a special assistant for equal opportunity to the Deputy CNO for Manpower, Personnel and Training.
• From June 1990 to June 1992, was the commanding officer, Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois.
• Retired as a captain in 1994 in S. Carolina after serving as assistant chief of staff for operations and inspector general at Naval Base Charleston.

Awards and Recognition

• Legion of Merit (with 2 gold stars).
• Meritorious Service Award (with 3 gold stars).
• Navy Commendation Medal (with 2 gold stars).
• Received unit and campaign ribbons.
• Received the Black Engineer of the Year Award in 1991 for his efforts in leading the Navy's equal opportunity programs.

Key Quotes

• Regarding submarines: "Once I got through my first couple of submarines, it was like, ‘You know this isn’t bad.' I liked what submarines did, especially when I started on the fast track, and I liked what they did on what we called, ‘spec ops’ during the Cold War. That was exciting. I said, ‘I want to command one of these.’ If I was going to command one of these, I was going to be the first [African American] and I knew that."
• Regarding being a black officer: "The racial thing had nothing to do with motivating me except for the fact that I knew if I got the command that I would be the first. But it wasn’t ‘I want to be the first black commanding officer.’ I want to be a commanding officer. This stuff is fun. I want to be in the change. This is what I want to do, just coincidently I’m black."
• On being a submarine officer: "As a career submarine officer, I thrilled on operating independently from routine guidance and instruction... All citizens of this great democracy should be mindful of exactly what individual contributions are required for maintaining our freedom. I hate to see so many lack appreciation for what our servicemembers and their families sacrifice so the rest of the country can live in freedom and enjoy their freedom of speech."

Explore the early life and career of Chancellor Alphonso "Pete" Tzomes, born in 1944. From his aspirations as a baseball player to his distinguished service in the U.S. Naval Academy, discover the pivotal moments that shaped his path. Learn about his academic achievements and his determination to excel despite facing adversity.