Patrick M. Walsh

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Patrick M. Walsh
Admiral Patrick M. Walsh (Ret.)
Birth namePatrick Michael Walsh
Born (1955-01-13) January 13, 1955 (age 69)
Service/branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1979–2012
RankAdmiral
Commands heldU.S. Pacific Fleet
Vice Chief of Naval Operations
U.S. 5th Fleet
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command
Carrier Group Seven/John C. Stennis Strike Group
Carrier Air Wing One
VFA-105
Battles/wars
AwardsNavy Distinguished Service Medal (3)
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (4)

Patrick Michael Walsh (born January 13, 1955)[1] is a former United States Navy four-star admiral who last served as the 59th Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet from September 25, 2009 to January 20, 2012.[2][3] He served as the 35th Vice Chief of Naval Operations from April 5, 2007 to August 13, 2009,[4] and as Commander of the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet from October 2005 to February 27, 2007.[5] He retired from the Navy with over 34 years of service.

Biography

Education

Walsh graduated with honors from Jesuit College Preparatory in Dallas, Texas, and was the second student in the sixty-year history of the school to receive both the Distinguished Graduate and Distinguished Alumnus awards. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He attended graduate studies in the International Relations curriculum at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, as part of the Admiral Arthur S. Moreau Scholarship Program. Walsh graduated first in his class and received a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy degree, entered the Doctorate Program with distinction and subsequently received a PhD

United States Navy career

Walsh delivers remarks during a ceremony commemorating the 69th anniversary of Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 2010.
Walsh with Takeaki Matsumoto, the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs on April 11, 2011.

After designation as a Naval Aviator, Walsh began operational flying with the "Golden Dragons" of Attack Squadron 192, deployed to the Indian Ocean aboard the aircraft carrier USS America and was later selected by Commander, Light Attack Wing Pacific, as the Junior Officer/Tailhook Pilot of the Year. He then reported to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 5 as an Operational Test Director until selection to the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, "Blue Angels," where he flew the Left Wingman and Slot Pilot positions. When he returned to the fleet, Walsh joined the "Golden Warriors" of Strike-Fighter Squadron 87 as the Operations Officer and flew combat missions in support of Operations Desert Storm and Provide Comfort from the carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt.

Walsh commanded the "Gunslingers" of Strike-Fighter Squadron 105 for missions in support of Operations Southern Watch and Deny Flight from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. He commanded Carrier Air Wing 1 for deployment in support of Operation Southern Watch aboard USS John F. Kennedy. He also commanded Carrier Group Seven of the John C. Stennis Strike Group for a deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. Most recently, he commanded U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet, while also commanding the Combined Maritime Forces conducting Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and maritime security operations in the Central Command area of responsibility.

Walsh was a Special Assistant to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget as a White House Fellow. He chaired the Department of Leadership, Ethics and Law at the U.S. Naval Academy, served as the Executive Assistant to the Chief of Naval Personnel, and reported to the Joint Staff for his first flag assignment as the Deputy Director for Strategy and Policy, (J-5). He also served concurrently as the Director, Navy Quadrennial Defense Review and Director, Navy Programming Division.

On February 3, 2009, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates selected Walsh to conduct a 30-day review of operations at the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, following President Barack Obama's order that the detention center be closed within one year.[6] [7]

Awards and decorations

Gold star
Gold star
Navy Distinguished Service Medal (with 2 golden award stars)
Defense Superior Service Medal
Gold star
Gold star
Gold star
Legion of Merit (with 3 award stars)
Gold star
Meritorious Service Medal (with 1 award star)
Air Medal (1 individual award (denoted by bronze star) with Combat V as well as bronze Strike/Flight numeral 5)
Navy Commendation Medal (with Combat V and 2 award stars)
Navy Achievement Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Navy Unit Commendation
Bronze star
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (with 1 service star)
Navy "E" Ribbon w/ 2 Battle E devices
Navy Expeditionary Medal
Bronze star
National Defense Service Medal (with 1 service star)
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Southwest Asia Service Medal (with 3 service stars)
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (with 3 service stars)
Navy Overseas Service Ribbon
Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun (Japan, 1st class, Kyokujitsu-Daijusho (旭日大綬章))[1]
Order of National Security Merit, Tong-il Medal (Republic of Korea)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

References

  1. ^ a b "'外国人叙勲発表(平成23年12月20日付)'" (PDF). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 13, 2015. Retrieved January 12, 2012 – via www.mofa.go.jp.
  2. ^ "U.S. Pacific Fleet gets new commander". Honolulu Advertiser. September 25, 2009. Archived from the original on September 29, 2009. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
  3. ^ Sealy, Stefanie (September 25, 2009). "Walsh Takes Helm of U.S. Pacific Fleet" (PDF). United States Pacific Fleet Public Affairs Office. Retrieved September 28, 2009.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ J. W. Greenert (August 13, 2009). "VICE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS CHANGE OF OFFICE". Naval Personnel Command. U.S. Department of the Navy, Office of the Vice Chief of Naval Operations/N9. Retrieved August 17, 2009.[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ Whittenberger, Kathryn (February 27, 2007). "Cosgriff Assumes Command of NAVCENT, 5th Fleet". U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs Office. Archived from the original on March 12, 2008. Retrieved August 29, 2009.
  6. ^ Coto, Danica (February 3, 2009). "Top Navy official to review Guantanamo operations". Associated Press. Archived from the original on July 25, 2019. Retrieved July 25, 2019 – via Fox News.
  7. ^ Gerry J. Gilmore (February 3, 2009). "Navy Admiral to Lead Review of Guantanamo Detention Facility". American Forces Press Service. Archived from the original on February 12, 2009. Retrieved February 4, 2009.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from Admiral Patrick M. Walsh. United States Navy.

Military offices
Preceded by Commander of the United States Naval Forces Central Command
and United States Fifth Fleet

2005–2007
Succeeded by
Preceded by Vice Chief of Naval Operations
2007–2009
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of the United States Pacific Fleet
2009–2012
Succeeded by