Holly Graf

Holly Ann Graf
Born Simsbury, Connecticut
Allegiance  United States of America
Service/branch  United States Navy
Years of service 1985-2010
Rank Captain
Commands held USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81)
USS Cowpens (CG-63)
Battles/wars Operation Iraqi Freedom
Awards Legion of Merit
Bronze Star
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (with one gold star).

Holly Ann Graf is a retired Captain in the United States Navy. Until January 2010 she was commanding officer of the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG-63), a major surface combatant vessel of the fleet. She was the first woman to command a cruiser in the history of the U.S. Navy. Earlier, she had been the first woman in the U.S. Navy to command a destroyer when she served as skipper of the guided missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81). Her personal decorations include the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star, among others.[1]

Early life

Graf grew up in Simsbury, Connecticut to a family with a long history of naval service. Her father is a retired Captain and Submarine Officer in the U.S. Navy, and her sister, Robin L. Graf, is currently a Rear Admiral (LH) in the Navy Reserve.[2] Graf graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1985. Most of her colleagues at the time believed she was well on her way to flag rank.[3]

She holds a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College and an additional Master's degree in civil engineering from Villanova University.[4]

Navy career

Graf's previous billets include Auxiliaries Officer and First Division Officer on the USS Puget Sound (AD-38). Graf was also the Weapons Officer on the USS Ainsworth (FF-1090) and executive officer on the USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54). She was subsequently promoted to commander and served as commanding officer of the USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81) from 20 April 2002 to 6 February 2004. During this deployment, she participated in the opening stages of Operation Iraqi Freedom. She was promoted to captain in 2007.[5] Graf then served as the assistant operations officer in the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) carrier strike group. From 20 March 2008 to 13 January 2010, Graf was the commanding officer of the USS Cowpens, based in Yokosuka, Japan.[1][6][7]

Relieved of command

On 13 January 2010, Graf was relieved of command of USS Cowpens by Rear Admiral Kevin Donegan, commander of Carrier Strike Group Five, as non-judicial punishment stemming from an admiral's mast. The punishment followed an investigation which verified allegations of cruelty and maltreatment of her crew, and conduct unbecoming an officer.[5][6][8]

Later career

Graf was slated to take a job at the Office of Information, Plans and Strategy (N3/N5) at the Pentagon after leaving the Cowpens.[6] However, after losing her command, Graf was reassigned to the Naval Surface Warfare Center's laboratory in Dahlgren, Virginia.[3]

A board of inquiry composed of three admirals held hearings regarding her conduct in November 2010.[9] On December 3, 2010, the board of inquiry recommended that Graf be separated from the Navy and receive a retirement under general circumstances so she could be allowed to retire with the rank of Captain. General discharges (or a "General" characterization to retiring commissioned officers) are given to service members whose performance is satisfactory but is marked by a considerable departure in duty performance and conduct expected of military members.[10] On January 6, 2012, this decision was reversed and Graf will be allowed to receive an honorable service characterization as a retired officer, as it was, "...determined that her conduct did not rise to a level sufficient to warrant the characterization of her service as less than honorable."[11]

Military awards

Graf's awards include:

Command at Sea insignia Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
Surface Warfare insignia
Legion of Merit Bronze Star Defense Meritorious Service Medal

References

  1. 1 2 Fred Willshaw. "USS WINSTON S. CHURCHILL (DDG-81)". Navsource.org. Paul R. Yarnall and NavSource Naval History.
  2. ↑ "Rear Admiral Robin L. Graf, Deputy Commander, Navy Recruiting Command". US Navy Biography. Department of the Navy.
  3. 1 2 Thompson, Mark (2010-03-11). "Sexism and the Navy's Female Captain Bligh (published in print as "The Sea Witch")". Time.
  4. ↑ United States Navy (2010). "Rear Admiral Robin L. Graf Deputy Commander, Navy Recruiting Command". USA.gov. United States Navy. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
  5. 1 2 Thompson, Mark (March 3, 2010). "The Rise and Fall of a Female Captain Bligh". Time. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
  6. 1 2 3 Ewing, Philip (March 8, 2010). "Skipper fired for 'cruelty' assigned to Dahlgren". Navy Times. Retrieved June 5, 2010.
  7. ↑ cowpensvets.org (2010). "CAPT Holly Graf - United States Navy - COWPENS' Tenth Commanding Officer". cowpensvets.org. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
  8. ↑ Carter, David, J. (January 16, 2010). "Admiral relieves Cowpens captain". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
  9. ↑ Dave Larter (November 29, 2010). "Graf board of inquiry to convene Tuesday". Navy Times. Gannett Government Media Corporation.
  10. ↑ Dave Larter (December 3, 2010). "Panel: Graf should get general discharge". Navy Times. Gannett Government Media Corporation.
  11. ↑ Sam Fellman (January 6, 2012). "Fired Cowpens CO to get ‘honorable’ retirement". Navy Times. Gannett Government Media Corporation. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
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