COMMANDER BILLIE FARRELL

On January 21, 2022, Commander Billie J. Farrell became the USS Constitution’s 77th Commanding Officer, the first woman to serve in this illustrious role in the ship’s 224-year history.

Farrell will command the USS Constitution for two years, overseeing 80 active-duty officers and sailors. Best known as an historic battleship and a popular tourist destination, the USS Constitution abides by the same training sessions, meetings and physical demands the U.S. Navy requires of all service members. “The mission of the Navy today is not that much different from the War of 1812,” Farrell told The Boston Globe. “At any point, we could be called to the fight.”

Boston ( January 21, 2022) Cmdr. Billie J. Farrell renders a salute as she passes through Honor Side Boys during USS Constitution's Change of Command Ceremony.
U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alec Kramer

Farrell, a 39-year-old Kentucky native, is a 2004 U.S. Naval Academy graduate, and already has a distinguished career serving six tours of duty on three battle ships. She has received two Meritorious Service medals, four Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medals, and three Meritorious Unit Commendations.

Add to this another local distinction: Commander Farrell is this year’s Grand Marshal at the Cape Cod St. Patrick’s Parade, scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 5, 2022, according to Parade Chairman Desmond J. Keogh.

Based in the Charlestown Navy Yard, the ship itself has an interesting Irish connection. It was commanded in the War of 1812 by Commodore Charles Stewart, who was the grandfather of Ireland’s famous Home Rule leader, Charles Stewart Parnell, and poet Fanny Parnell.

capecodstpatricksparade.com | www.navy.mil/uss-constitution