Joseph Prueher
Encyclopedia
Joseph Wilson Prueher (born November 25, 1942) served as United States Ambassador to the People's Republic of China
from 1999 to 2001. He was succeeded as ambassador by Clark T. Randt, Jr.
Prior to his posting as ambassador, Prueher was a United States Navy
Admiral
and the Commander, United States Pacific Command
from 1996 to 1999 and Vice Chief of Naval Operations
from 1995 to 1996.
A native of Tennessee
, Admiral Prueher is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and holds a master's degree in international affairs from George Washington University
. He is a combat veteran of the Vietnam War
where he flew as an A-6 pilot. He also served as the seventy-third Commandant of Midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy.
He delivered the "letter of the two sorries" which defused the Hainan Island incident
in 2001.
insignia, Legion of Merit
(4 awards), Distinguished Flying Cross
(2 awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal
, Meritorious Service Medal
(3 awards), 3 individual Air Medal
s with Valor device
and bronze Strike/Flight numeral 8, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3 awards) with Valor device, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 awards) with Valor device, and various unit, service and campaign awards.Defense Distinguised Service Medal, Navy Distinguished Service Medal
In December 1998 he was appointed an Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia
, "for distinguished service in the promotion of Australian and United States of America Defence relations".
In 1997, he was honored with the Naval War College Distinguished Graduate Leadership Award
and, in 2001, Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award by George Washington University.
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
from 1999 to 2001. He was succeeded as ambassador by Clark T. Randt, Jr.
Clark T. Randt, Jr.
Clark T. Randt, Jr. was the United States Ambassador to the People's Republic of China from July 23, 2001 to January 20, 2009, making him the longest-serving U.S. Ambassador to China...
Prior to his posting as ambassador, Prueher was a United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
Admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
and the Commander, United States Pacific Command
United States Pacific Command
The United States Pacific Command is a Unified Combatant Command of the United States armed forces responsible for the Pacific Ocean area. It is led by the Commander, Pacific Command , who is the supreme military authority for the various branches of the Armed Forces of the United States serving...
from 1996 to 1999 and Vice Chief of Naval Operations
Vice Chief of Naval Operations
The Vice Chief of Naval Operations is the second highest ranking officer in the United States Navy. In the event that the Chief of Naval Operations is absent or is unable to perform his duties, the VCNO assumes the duties and responsibilities of the CNO. The VCNO may also perform other duties...
from 1995 to 1996.
A native of Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, Admiral Prueher is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and holds a master's degree in international affairs from George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
. He is a combat veteran of the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
where he flew as an A-6 pilot. He also served as the seventy-third Commandant of Midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy.
He delivered the "letter of the two sorries" which defused the Hainan Island incident
Hainan Island incident
On April 1, 2001, a mid-air collision between a United States Navy EP-3E ARIES II signals intelligence aircraft and a People's Liberation Army Navy J-8II interceptor fighter jet resulted in an international dispute between the United States and the People's Republic of China called the Hainan...
in 2001.
Awards and decorations
ADM Prueher received numerous personal decorations including the Naval AviatorNaval Aviator
A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
insignia, Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
(4 awards), Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
(2 awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
The Defense Meritorious Service Medal is the third-highest award bestowed upon members of the United States military by the United States Department of Defense...
, Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
(3 awards), 3 individual Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
s with Valor device
Valor device
The Valor device is an award of the United States military which is a bronze attachment to certain medals to indicate that it was received for valor...
and bronze Strike/Flight numeral 8, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3 awards) with Valor device, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 awards) with Valor device, and various unit, service and campaign awards.Defense Distinguised Service Medal, Navy Distinguished Service Medal
In December 1998 he was appointed an Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
, "for distinguished service in the promotion of Australian and United States of America Defence relations".
In 1997, he was honored with the Naval War College Distinguished Graduate Leadership Award
Naval War College Distinguished Graduate Leadership Award
The Naval War College Distinguished Graduate leadership Award was established in 1996 by the Trustees of the Naval War College Foundation to honor United States Naval War College graduates who have attained positions of prominence in the field of national security.-Criteria:The criteria for...
and, in 2001, Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award by George Washington University.