From Placerville to the high seas
PLACERVILLE, Calif. — A young man who graduated from Union Mine High School just three years ago is now serving aboard one of the U.S. Navy’s guided-missile destroyers, where his technical abilities have earned him recognition for helping restore a critical weapons system during deployment operations.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Zachary Pipes, a Placerville native and 2023 Union Mine graduate, serves as a Gunner’s Mate aboard the USS Mahan (DDG 72), an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer.
Pipes joined the Navy approximately three years ago, motivated in large part by a desire to travel and experience life beyond the community where he grew up.
The transition from a small Northern California community to military life introduced him to a very different world.
Reflecting on that transition, Pipes described one of the lessons he learned as having to “get comfortable with being uncomfortable.” The experience, he said, showed him just how big the world is.
For a young sailor from El Dorado County, that perspective has become part of a career that combines technical training, responsibility and service at sea.
Recognition for repairing a critical weapons system
Pipes recently received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for his technical skill in repairing the USS Mahan’s five-inch gun after the weapon system experienced a breakdown during active deployment operations.
The recognition highlights the importance of the technical work performed by the ship’s Gunner’s Mates.
A five-inch naval gun is a major component of a destroyer’s weapons capabilities. Its operation depends on complex mechanical, electrical and supporting systems that must remain functional in demanding maritime environments.
When equipment fails, sailors responsible for those systems must identify the problem, assess the damage and perform the necessary repairs to restore operational capability.
Pipes’ work on the gun demonstrated the technical knowledge and problem-solving abilities required of his rating.
The Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal recognizes meritorious achievement or service by members of the armed forces. For Pipes, the award represents recognition of work performed far from his hometown and under the demands of operational Navy service.
Life aboard the USS Mahan
The USS Mahan is the 22nd ship in the Navy’s Arleigh Burke class of guided-missile destroyers. According to the Navy, these multi-mission vessels are designed to conduct sustained combat operations, provide protection for aircraft carriers and amphibious forces, and operate independently when necessary.
The ship carries a sophisticated combination of offensive and defensive weapons, including:
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Tomahawk cruise missiles for long-range strike missions.
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Standard Missile and other guided missile systems.
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MK 46 torpedoes for underwater threats.
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A five-inch MK 45 naval gun.
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A Phalanx Close-In Weapon System designed to defend against incoming threats.
The USS Mahan operates from Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, the world’s largest naval installation and a major center of U.S. Atlantic Fleet operations.
For Pipes, life aboard the destroyer means working with equipment that plays an important role in the ship’s ability to perform its mission.
What does a Navy Gunner’s Mate do?
Gunner’s Mate, commonly abbreviated GM, is one of the Navy’s longstanding enlisted ratings.
The position involves considerably more than operating firearms. Gunner’s Mates are responsible for maintaining, inspecting, testing and repairing a broad range of weapons and ordnance systems.
According to the Navy’s official career description, their responsibilities include operating guided-missile launching systems, maintaining gun mounts, servicing small arms and managing ammunition and explosives.
Their work also involves mechanical, electrical, electronic, hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
Gunner’s Mates help train and supervise other sailors in weapons handling and safety procedures. They also maintain ammunition magazines and associated safety equipment, including flooding and sprinkler systems.
The position requires precision and technical expertise. A malfunction in a weapons system can affect a ship’s operational readiness, making proper maintenance and troubleshooting essential.
Pipes’ repair of the Mahan’s five-inch gun illustrates the practical importance of those responsibilities.
Training behind the rating
Becoming a Navy Gunner’s Mate requires specialized technical instruction following basic recruit training.
Sailors first complete recruit training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois. They then attend technical training at the Surface Combat Systems Training Command, where they develop the knowledge and skills needed to maintain weapons systems.
Instruction includes electrical and electronic fundamentals, mechanical systems, technical publications, equipment maintenance and weapons handling.
Additional specialized training may prepare sailors to work with particular weapons platforms and equipment.
The training is designed to prepare Gunner’s Mates for assignments aboard ships and at shore installations throughout the Navy.
Serving during a historic year for America
Pipes’ Navy service also comes during a significant period in American naval and national history.
The Navy celebrated its 250th anniversary on Oct. 13, 2025, marking 250 years since the Continental Congress established the Continental Navy in 1775.
The celebrations continued into 2026 as the United States marked the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
One of the major Navy events was the International Naval Review 250, held July 3-8 in the Port of New York and New Jersey. The event brought together international naval vessels, aircraft and maritime partners to recognize the history of American sea power and international naval cooperation.
The Navy’s broader 2026 outreach campaign also included community events, educational programs and activities highlighting the contributions of sailors serving around the world.
For sailors such as Pipes, the anniversary offers a reminder that their individual service is part of a much longer tradition.
A hometown connection that reaches around the world
From the classrooms of Union Mine High School to the demanding environment of a Navy destroyer, Zachary Pipes has traveled a considerable distance in a relatively short time.
His Navy experience has taken him beyond the familiar surroundings of Placerville and introduced him to the responsibilities and challenges of military service.
His Achievement Medal recognizes more than a successful equipment repair. It reflects the technical proficiency, adaptability and dedication expected of sailors entrusted with maintaining a warship’s weapons systems.
For El Dorado County residents, Pipes’ story is a reminder that the community’s connections extend well beyond the Sierra Nevada foothills.
A Union Mine graduate is serving aboard a Navy destroyer, contributing to the readiness of the U.S. fleet and earning recognition for his work.
Placerville may be a long way from the Atlantic coast, but it is home to one of the sailors helping keep America’s Navy operational.
