Patrick M. Walsh

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Patrick M. Walsh

Admiral Patrick M. Walsh
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1977-present
Rank	Admiral
Commands held	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
Awards	Navy Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (4)

Admiral Patrick M. Walsh, USN is the 35^th and current Vice Chief of Naval Operations (VCNO).

1 Biography
- 1.1 Education
- 1.2 United States Navy career
2 Awards and decorations
3 References

[edit] Biography

[edit] 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. (Always creative in his demeanor, Walsh attempted to hire a helicopter during his Senior Prom to transport his date and him to the dance but was unable to do so as a result of bad weather.) 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 Ph.D.

[edit] United States Navy career

After designation as a Naval Aviator, Walsh began operational flying with the "Golden Dragons" of Attack Squadron 192, deployed to the Indian Ocean aboard America and was later selected by Commander, Light Attack Wing Pacific, 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 Theodore Roosevelt.

Walsh commanded the “Gunslingers” of Strike-Fighter Squadron 105 for missions in support of Operations Southern Watch and Deny Flight from Dwight D. Eisenhower. He commanded Carrier Air Wing 1 for deployment in support of Operation Southern Watch aboard John F. Kennedy. He also commanded Carrier Group Seven/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.

[edit] Awards and decorations

His awards and decorations include:

	Navy Distinguished Service Medal
	Defense Superior Service Medal
	Legion of Merit (with 3 award stars)
	Meritorious Service Medal (with 1 award star)
	Air Medal (with Combat V, Strike/Flight numeral 5 and bronze battle star)
	Navy Commendation Medal (with Combat V and 2 award stars)
	Navy Achievement Medal
	Joint Meritorious Unit Award
	Navy Unit Commendation
	Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (with 1 service star)
	Navy "E" Ribbon (with 2 "E"s)
	Navy Expeditionary Medal
	National Defense Service Medal (with 1 service star)
	Southwest Asia Service Medal (with 3 service stars)
	Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
	Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
	Humanitarian Service Medal
	Sea Service Ribbon
	Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
	Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)