Why naval histories foreground commanders

Who are the most important sailors in modern naval history apart from commanders?

Broad naval histories usually foreground officers because their decisions affect whole ships and formations, even though individual sailors remain essential.

Individual sailors remain essential, but broad naval histories usually follow the people whose choices affect the whole force. A fleet and its missions are larger than any one rating's action. Captains, commanders, and even lieutenants can make decisions with consequences for everyone aboard and for the surrounding operation. This creates a bias in the surviving narrative without making rank a measure of human worth.