Patrick M. Walsh

Patrick M. Walsh
File:AdmPMWalshVCNO.jpg Admiral Patrick M. Walsh
Service/branch	U.S. Navy
Years of service	1977-present
Rank	Admiral
Commands held	VFA-105 Carrier Air Wing One Carrier Group Seven/USS John C. Stennis Strike Group U.S. Naval Forces Central Command 5th Fleet
Awards	Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (4) Meritorious Service Medal (2) Air Medal w/ Combat V Strike/Flight Medal (5) Navy Commendation Medal (3) w/ Combat V Navy Achievement Medal Presidential Service Badge

U.S. Navy Admiral Patrick M. Walsh is the Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Adm. 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.

After designation as a Naval Aviator, Adm. Walsh began operational flying with the "Golden Dragons" of Attack Squadron One Nine Two, deployed to the Indian Ocean in USS America (CV-66) 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 Five 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, Adm. Walsh joined the "Golden Warriors" of Strike-Fighter Squadron Eight Seven as the Operations Officer and flew combat missions in support of Operations Desert Storm and Provide Comfort from USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71).

Adm. Walsh commanded the “Gunslingers” of Strike-Fighter Squadron One Zero Five for missions in support of Operations Southern Watch and Deny Flight from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). He commanded Carrier Air Wing One for deployment in support of Operation Southern Watch aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67). He also commanded Carrier Group Seven/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.

Adm. 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. 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. Adm. 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..

His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (4), Meritorious Service Medal (2), Air Medal w/ Combat V, Strike/Flight Medal (5), Navy Commendation Medal (3) w/ Combat V, Navy Achievement Medal, Presidential Service Badge and various service medals.

This article contains information from the United States Federal Government and is in the public domain.

Sources

• Official Biography