USS MORGAN COUNTY LST 1048, Navigator/Executive Officer;

USS PLATTE AO 24, Navigator/Operations Officer;

NROTC Iowa State College/University, Assistant Professor of Naval Science;

USS FRANK E. EVANS DD 754, Midshipman Liaison Officer; Staff, Commander Cruiser Division ONE, Aide and Flag Secretary;

Naval War College, Command and Staff, student;

USS EVERETT F. LARSON DD 830, Executive Officer;

USS TIOGA COUNTY LST 1158, Commanding Officer;

Staff, Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet, Assault Forces and Unconvential Warfare Officer;

USS LEONARD F. MASON DD 852 (home ported in Yokosuka, Japan), Commanding Officer; 

Senior Air War College, student;

Staff, Chief of Naval Operations, Amphibious and Service Fleet Modernization officer. 

Captain Ekman earned postgraduate degrees from George Washington University (MA) and Auburn University (MBA). 

He has been awarded the following personal decorations:

Bronze Star, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Medal, Presidental Unit Citation-Vietnam, Vietnamese Distinguished Service Order, China Service Medal, National Defense Medal (with bronze star), United Nations Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (with 4 bronze stars), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea), Korean Service Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry (with palm), Korean War Service Medal, Cold War Service Medal, and CINCPACFLT Letter of Commendation for performance in Vietnam.  Captain Ekman was tested, evaluated, and awarded a formal qualification for command of destroyers by COMCRUDESPAC.

Captain Ekman is married to the former Joyce C. Levi of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

They have two sons-John and Paul.