John Huntly Gordon was born in 1951 and joined the Royal Navy as a Cadet in September 1969. He was promoted to Midshipman on 1 September 1970 and was appointed to the frigate HMS SIRIUS. He was promoted Sub Lieutenant on 1 September 1971 and appointed to HMS DOLPHIN for the Submarine Course then to HMS SEALION on 1 December 1973. Promoted to Lieutenant on 1 March 1974, he was appointed to HMS REVENGE. After REVENGE he joined HMS PORPOISE. He completed his Commanding Officers Qualifying Course in 1980 and was appointed to HMS WARSPITE as the First Lieutenant, and then HMS OCELOT in command. He next served in HMS VALIANT as First Lieutenant.

John Huntley Gordon was promoted to Commander on 30 June 1988 and appointed to HMS REPULSE (Port) in command before joining HMS NEPTUNE as Commander SM. He was appointed to HMS VICTORIOUS (Port Crew) in command on 7 January 1995. He was next appointed to the Staff of the Captain Submarine Sea Training.

John Huntley Gordon is reported to have died in Orlando, Florida on 6 December 1997 and he was appointed MBE in the New Year’s Honours List dated 31 December 1997