Patrick M. Walsh
| Patrick M. Walsh | |
|---|---|
 Admiral Patrick M. Walsh (Ret.) | |
| Birth name | Patrick Michael Walsh |
| Born | January 13, 1955 |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America |
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1977–2012 |
| Rank |
 Admiral |
| Commands held |
U.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 |
First Persian Gulf War Post Gulf War *Operation Provide Comfort *Operation Southern Watch Bosnian War *Operation Deny Flight War on Terror *Afghanistan Campaign *Horn of Africa Campaign *Second Persian Gulf War |
| Awards |
Navy 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
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 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 USS Theodore Roosevelt.
Walsh commanded the “Gunslingers” of Strike-Fighter Squadron 105 for missions in support of Operations Southern Watch and Deny Flight from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. He commanded Carrier Air Wing 1 for deployment in support of Operation Southern Watch aboard the USS John F. Kennedy. He also commanded Carrier Group Seven of the USS 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
Naval Aviator Badge
Presidential Service Badge
Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
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References
- 1 2 '外国人叙勲発表（平成23年12月20日付）' (Japanese)
- ↑ "U.S. Pacific Fleet gets new commander". Honolulu Advertiser. September 25, 2009. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ MCC(SW) Stefanie Sealy (September 25, 2009). "Walsh Takes Helm of U.S. Pacific Fleet" (PDF). United States Pacific Fleet Public Affairs Office. Retrieved September 28, 2009.
- ↑ J. W. Greenert (August 13, 2009). "VICE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS CHANGE OF OFFICE". U.S. Department of the Navy, Office of the Vice Chief of Naval Operations/N9. Retrieved August 17, 2009.
- ↑ Kathryn Whittenberger (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.
- ↑ Danica Coto (February 3, 2009). "Top Navy official to review Guantanamo operations". Associated Press. Retrieved February 4, 2009. mirror
- ↑ Gerry J. Gilmore (February 3, 2009). "Navy Admiral to Lead Review of Guantanamo Detention Facility". American Forces Press Service. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Patrick M. Walsh. |
- This article contains information from the United States Federal Government and which is in the public domain.
- "US Navy Biographies – Admiral Patrick M. Walsh". United States Navy Biographies. United States Navy. February 23, 2009. Retrieved August 29, 2009.
- COMPACFLT Biography
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Robert F. Willard |
Vice Chief of Naval Operations 2007 – 2009 |
Succeeded by Jonathan W. Greenert |