Mark P. Fitzgerald
Encyclopedia
Mark P. Fitzgerald is a retired United States Navy admiral
. He is the former Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe - Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa and Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples
. He previously served as Director, Navy Staff from December 2006 to November 2007 and Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet from 2004 until December 2006. He assumed his the duties of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples on November 30, 2007 and assumed the additional duties as Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa on March 26, 2009.
He was born in Winchester, Massachusetts
, and graduated from Northeastern University
, where he was a member of the Army ROTC program, in June 1973. He was designated a Naval Aviator
in October 1975.
Admiral Fitzgerald flew the A-7E Corsair II with now retired Rear Admiral Bert Johnston
during sea assignments in VA-195 (1976–79), Carrier Air Wing 17 (1982–84), and VA-105 (1985–88) embarked in Kitty Hawk
, America
, and Forrestal. He commanded the VA-46 "Clansmen” (1990–1991) in John F. Kennedy
, deploying with four days notice for Operation Desert Shield. He led the first Navy strike on Baghdad
during the opening hour of Operation Desert Storm
.
During his career, Admiral Fitzgerald was assigned as Deputy Commander, Joint Air Force Component Commander for Provide Promise Yugoslav Operations and Assistant Commander for Deny Flight NATO operations (1993). He assumed command of Carrier Air Wing 14 (1994–95) while deployed to the Persian Gulf
in Carl Vinson
supporting Operation Southern Watch
. Admiral Fitzgerald’s shore tours include VA-174 Landing Signal Officer (1979–82), Naval Maritime Intelligence Center, SPEAR (1991–92), and Executive Assistant to the Supreme Allied Commander
, Europe (1996–98). He holds a Masters Degree in Aeronautical Systems Engineering from the University of West Florida
(1975) and attended the Naval War College
, Newport, R.I. (1983–84).
Selected for flag rank in September 1998, Admiral Fitzgerald’s first flag assignment was Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and commanded Joint Task Force Determined Response in Aden, Yemen (2000). Assuming command of Carrier Group Eight (2001), he deployed with Theodore Roosevelt Battle Group during Operation Enduring Freedom (2001–2002). He served as Director, Air Warfare and then as Director, Naval Warfare (2003–2004). He then assumed the position of Commander, Second Fleet/Commander, Striking Fleet Atlantic in October 2004.
Admiral Fitzgerald was relieved as commander of USNAVEUR, USNAVAF & JFC Naples by Admiral Samuel J. Locklear
on October 6, 2010.
He has logged over 4800 flight hours and has made over 1100 carrier arrested landings from the decks of thirteen aircraft carriers.
Admiral (United States)
In the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard and the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, admiral is a four-star flag officer rank, with the pay grade of O-10. Admiral ranks above vice admiral and below Fleet Admiral in the Navy; the Coast Guard and the Public Health...
. He is the former Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe - Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa and Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples
Allied Joint Force Command Naples
Allied Joint Force Command Naples is a NATO military command. It was activated on 15 March 2004, after what was effectively a redesignation of its predecessor command, Allied Forces Southern Europe , originally formed in 1951...
. He previously served as Director, Navy Staff from December 2006 to November 2007 and Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet from 2004 until December 2006. He assumed his the duties of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples on November 30, 2007 and assumed the additional duties as Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa on March 26, 2009.
He was born in Winchester, Massachusetts
Winchester, Massachusetts
Winchester is a town located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, eight miles north of Boston. With its agricultural roots having mostly disappeared, it is now an affluent suburb...
, and graduated from Northeastern University
Northeastern University, Boston
Northeastern University , is a private, secular, coeducational research university in Boston, Massachusetts. Northeastern has eight colleges and offers undergraduate majors in 65 departments...
, where he was a member of the Army ROTC program, in June 1973. He was designated a Naval Aviator
Naval 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...
in October 1975.
Admiral Fitzgerald flew the A-7E Corsair II with now retired Rear Admiral Bert Johnston
Bert Johnston
Rear Admiral Charles H. Johnston, United States Navy, was appointed Vice Commander of the Naval Air Systems Command, at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland in December 2001....
during sea assignments in VA-195 (1976–79), Carrier Air Wing 17 (1982–84), and VA-105 (1985–88) embarked in Kitty Hawk
USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63)
The supercarrier USS Kitty Hawk , formerly CVA-63, was the second naval ship named after Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the site of the Wright brothers' first powered airplane flight...
, America
USS America (CV-66)
The USS America was one of four Kitty Hawk-class super carriers built for the United States Navy in the 1960s. Commissioned in 1965, she spent most of her career in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, but did make three Pacific deployments serving in the Vietnam War. She also served in operations...
, and Forrestal. He commanded the VA-46 "Clansmen” (1990–1991) in John F. Kennedy
USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67)
USS John F. Kennedy is a John F. Kennedy class aircraft carrier, the last conventionally powered carrier built for the United States Navy. The ship is named after the 35th President of the United States, John F...
, deploying with four days notice for Operation Desert Shield. He led the first Navy strike on Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
during the opening hour of Operation Desert Storm
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
.
During his career, Admiral Fitzgerald was assigned as Deputy Commander, Joint Air Force Component Commander for Provide Promise Yugoslav Operations and Assistant Commander for Deny Flight NATO operations (1993). He assumed command of Carrier Air Wing 14 (1994–95) while deployed to the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
in Carl Vinson
USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70)
The USS Carl Vinson is the third United States Navy Nimitz class supercarrier and is named after Carl Vinson, a Congressman from Georgia. Carl Vinson's callsign is "Gold Eagle". It played host to the first NCAA basketball game on an aircraft carrier on 11/11/11 between the University of North...
supporting Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch was an operation conducted by Joint Task Force Southwest Asia with the mission of monitoring and controlling airspace south of the 32nd Parallel in Iraq, following the 1991 Gulf War until the 2003 invasion of Iraq.-Summary:Operation Southern Watch began on 27 August 1992...
. Admiral Fitzgerald’s shore tours include VA-174 Landing Signal Officer (1979–82), Naval Maritime Intelligence Center, SPEAR (1991–92), and Executive Assistant to the Supreme Allied Commander
Supreme Allied Commander
Supreme Allied Commander is the title held by the most senior commander within certain multinational military alliances. It originated as a term used by the Western Allies during World War II, and is currently used only within NATO. Dwight Eisenhower served as Supreme Commander Allied Expeditionary...
, Europe (1996–98). He holds a Masters Degree in Aeronautical Systems Engineering from the University of West Florida
University of West Florida
The University of West Florida, also known as West Florida and UWF, is a mid-sized public university located in Pensacola, Florida, United States. UWF is a member institution of the State University System of Florida. The University of West Florida is a Research University, which specializes in...
(1975) and attended the Naval War College
Naval War College
The Naval War College is an education and research institution of the United States Navy that specializes in developing ideas for naval warfare and passing them along to officers of the Navy. The college is located on the grounds of Naval Station Newport in Newport, Rhode Island...
, Newport, R.I. (1983–84).
Selected for flag rank in September 1998, Admiral Fitzgerald’s first flag assignment was Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and commanded Joint Task Force Determined Response in Aden, Yemen (2000). Assuming command of Carrier Group Eight (2001), he deployed with Theodore Roosevelt Battle Group during Operation Enduring Freedom (2001–2002). He served as Director, Air Warfare and then as Director, Naval Warfare (2003–2004). He then assumed the position of Commander, Second Fleet/Commander, Striking Fleet Atlantic in October 2004.
Admiral Fitzgerald was relieved as commander of USNAVEUR, USNAVAF & JFC Naples by Admiral Samuel J. Locklear
Samuel J. Locklear
Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III, USN is current Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe which he concurrently serves as Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa and NATO's Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples. He previously served as Director, Navy Staff from July 2009 to October 2010...
on October 6, 2010.
Awards and decorations
Admiral Fitzgerald’s awards include:| Defense Distinguished Service Medal Defense Distinguished Service Medal The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is a United States military award which is presented for exceptionally distinguished performance of duty contributing to national security or defense of the United States... |
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| Navy Distinguished Service Medal Navy Distinguished Service Medal The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919. The decoration is the Navy and Marine Corps equivalent to the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Coast... (with award star Award star An award star is a decoration issued to personnel of the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard in lieu of multiple awards of the same award. An award star is very similar to an oak leaf cluster, which serves the same purpose in the United States Army and United States Air Force... ) |
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Defense Superior Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal The Defense Superior Service Medal is a senior United States military decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States armed forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."... |
| 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... (with 3 award stars) |
|
| 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... (with Combat V and award star) |
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| Bronze Star Bronze Star Medal The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the... (with award star) |
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| 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... (with oak leaf cluster Oak leaf cluster An oak leaf cluster is a common device which is placed on U.S. Army and Air Force awards and decorations to denote those who have received more than one bestowal of a particular decoration. The number of oak leaf clusters typically indicates the number of subsequent awards of the decoration... ) |
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| 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... (with award star) |
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| 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:... (with Combat V and 32 strike/flight awards Strike/Flight numerals Strike/Flight numerals are decorations of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps which are displayed on the Air Medal to denote the total number of Strike/Flight awards. Strike/Flight numerals are Arabic numerals five-sixteenths of an inch in height.... ) |
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| Navy Commendation Medal (with Combat V and award star) | |
| Navy Achievement Medal (with award star) |
He has logged over 4800 flight hours and has made over 1100 carrier arrested landings from the decks of thirteen aircraft carriers.