Patrick M. Walsh
Encyclopedia
Admiral
Patrick M. Walsh, USN
(born January 13, 1955) is the 59th Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet
. He served as the 35th Vice Chief of Naval Operations
from April 2007 to August 13, 2009, and as Commander of the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command
and Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet from October 2005 to February 27, 2007. He assumed his current assignment on September 25, 2009.
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
, 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.
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...
Patrick M. Walsh, USN
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...
(born January 13, 1955) is the 59th Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet
United States Pacific Fleet
The United States Pacific Fleet is a Pacific Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources under the operational control of the United States Pacific Command. Its home port is at Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Hawaii. It is commanded by Admiral Patrick M...
. He served as the 35th 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 April 2007 to August 13, 2009, and as Commander of the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command
United States Naval Forces Central Command is the United States Navy element of United States Central Command . Its area of responsibility includes the Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, and Arabian Sea...
and Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet from October 2005 to February 27, 2007. He assumed his current assignment on September 25, 2009.
Education
Walsh graduated with honors from Jesuit College PreparatoryJesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas
Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas is a private, college-preparatory school for young men under the direction of the Society of Jesus and home to the Jesuit Dallas Museum in Dallas, Texas...
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
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree
Academic degree
An academic degree is a position and title within a college or university that is usually awarded in recognition of the recipient having either satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study or having conducted a scholarly endeavour deemed worthy of his or her admission to the degree...
. He attended graduate studies in the International Relations
International relations
International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
curriculum at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University
Tufts University
Tufts University is a private research university located in Medford/Somerville, near Boston, Massachusetts. It is organized into ten schools, including two undergraduate programs and eight graduate divisions, on four campuses in Massachusetts and on the eastern border of France...
, as part of the Admiral Arthur S. Moreau Scholarship Program. Walsh graduated first in his class and received a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
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 AviatorUnited States 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...
, Walsh began operational flying with the "Golden Dragons" of Attack Squadron 192
VFA-192
Strike Fighter Squadron 192 , also known as the "World Famous Golden Dragons", are a United States Navy F/A-18C Hornet fighter squadron stationed at NAS Lemoore...
, deployed to the Indian Ocean aboard the USS 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 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
VX-9
VX-9. Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Nine, is a United States Navy air test and evaluation squadron based at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California...
as an Operational Test Director until selection to the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, “Blue Angels
Blue Angels
The United States Navy's Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, popularly known as the Blue Angels, was formed in 1946 and is currently the oldest formal flying aerobatic team...
,” where he flew the Left Wingman and Slot Pilot positions. When he returned to the fleet
Naval fleet
A fleet, or naval fleet, is a large formation of warships, and the largest formation in any navy. A fleet at sea is the direct equivalent of an army on land....
, Walsh joined the "Golden Warriors" of Strike-Fighter Squadron 87
VFA-87
The Strike Fighter Squadron 87 is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Oceana. Nicknamed the Golden Warriors, its call sign is War Party , its tail code is AJ, and it flies the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet...
as the Operations Officer and flew combat
Combat
Combat, or fighting, is a purposeful violent conflict meant to establish dominance over the opposition, or to terminate the opposition forever, or drive the opposition away from a location where it is not wanted or needed....
missions in support of Operations Desert Storm and Provide Comfort
Operation Provide Comfort
Operation Provide Comfort and Provide Comfort II were military operations by the United States and some of its Gulf War allies, starting in April 1991, to defend Kurds fleeing their homes in northern Iraq in the aftermath of the Persian Gulf War and deliver humanitarian aid to them.-Operation...
from the USS Theodore Roosevelt
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)
USS Theodore Roosevelt is the fourth Nimitz-class supercarrier. Her radio call sign is Rough Rider, the name of President Theodore Roosevelt's volunteer cavalry unit during the Spanish-American War...
.
Walsh commanded the “Gunslingers” of Strike-Fighter Squadron 105
VFA-105
Strike Fighter Squadron 105 also known as the "Gunslingers" is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. The "Gunslingers" are an operational fleet squadron and fly the F/A-18E Super Hornet...
for missions in support of Operations 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...
and Deny Flight
Operation Deny Flight
Operation Deny Flight was a North Atlantic Treaty Organization operation that began on April 12, 1993 as the enforcement of a United Nations no-fly zone over Bosnia and Herzegovina...
from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69)
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower is an aircraft carrier currently in service with the United States Navy. Commissioned in 1977, the ship is the second of the ten Nimitz-class supercarriers currently in service, and is the first ship named after the thirty-fourth President of the United States, Dwight D....
. He commanded Carrier Air Wing 1 for deployment in support of Operation Southern Watch aboard the USS 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...
. He also commanded Carrier Group Seven of the USS John C. Stennis
USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74)
USS John C. Stennis is the seventh Nimitz-class nuclear-powered supercarrier in the United States Navy, named for Senator John C. Stennis of Mississippi. She was commissioned on 9 December 1995...
Strike Group for a deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. Most recently, he commanded U.S. Naval Forces Central Command
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command
United States Naval Forces Central Command is the United States Navy element of United States Central Command . Its area of responsibility includes the Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, and Arabian Sea...
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
United States Central Command
The United States Central Command is a theater-level Unified Combatant Command unit of the U.S. armed forces, established in 1983 under the operational control of the U.S. Secretary of Defense...
area of responsibility.
Walsh was a Special Assistant to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget as a White House Fellow
White House Fellows
The White House Fellows program was established by President of the United States Lyndon B. Johnson in October 1964. President Johnson articulated that the mission of the program was "to give the Fellows first hand, high-level experience with the workings of the federal government and to increase...
. 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
Chief of Naval Personnel
The Chief of Naval Personnel is responsible for overall manpower readiness for the United States Navy. The CNP also serves as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations and is one of four Deputy Chiefs of Naval Operations, with the identification of N1/NT...
, 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
Quadrennial Defense Review
The Quadrennial Defense Review is a study by the United States Department of Defense that analyzes strategic objectives and potential military threats. The Quadrennial Defense Review Report is the main public document describing the United States's military doctrine.As stipulated in the 1997...
and Director, Navy Programming Division.
On February 3, 2009, Secretary of Defense
United States Secretary of Defense
The Secretary of Defense is the head and chief executive officer of the Department of Defense of the United States of America. This position corresponds to what is generally known as a Defense Minister in other countries...
Robert Gates
Robert Gates
Dr. Robert Michael Gates is a retired civil servant and university president who served as the 22nd United States Secretary of Defense from 2006 to 2011. Prior to this, Gates served for 26 years in the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Council, and under President George H. W....
selected Walsh to conduct a 30-day review of operations at the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, following President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
's order that the detention center be closed within one year.
Awards and decorations
His awards and decorations include:
Naval Aviator Badge- Presidential Service BadgePresidential Service BadgeThe Presidential Service Badge is a badge of the United States military issued to service members who serve as full-time military staff to the President of the United States...
Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification BadgeOffice of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification BadgeThe Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge is a U.S. Military badge presented to the members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff upon appointment to position as either a Service Head, Vice Chairman, or Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The decoration is also authorized to staff and...
Navy Distinguished Service Medal Navy Distinguished Service MedalThe 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 1 golden award starAward starAn 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...
)
Defense Superior Service Medal Defense Superior Service MedalThe 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 MeritThe 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)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 1 award star)Air Medal Air MedalThe 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, 1 award star and Strike/Flight numeral 5)Navy Commendation Medal (with Combat V and 2 award stars) 
Navy Achievement Medal 
Joint Meritorious Unit Award Joint Meritorious Unit AwardThe Joint Meritorious Unit Award is a military award that was established on June 4, 1981 by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger and was implemented by Department of Defense Directive 1348.27 dated July 22, 1982...
Navy Unit Commendation Navy Unit CommendationThe Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is an award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944...Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (with 1 service star Service starA service star, also referred to as a battle star, campaign star, or engagement star, is an attachment to a United States military decoration which denotes participation in military campaigns or multiple bestowals of the same award. Service stars are typically issued for campaign medals, service...
)Navy "E" Ribbon w/ 2 Battle E devices 
Navy Expeditionary Medal Navy Expeditionary MedalThe Navy Expeditionary Medal is an award of the United States Navy which was first created in August 1936 by General Orders of the Department of the Navy...National Defense Service Medal National Defense Service MedalThe National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
(with 1 service star)Southwest Asia Service Medal Southwest Asia Service MedalThe Southwest Asia Service Medal is a military award of the United States armed forces which was created by order of President George H.W. Bush on March 12, 1991. The award is intended to recognize those military service members who performed duty during the years of the Persian Gulf War...
(with 3 service stars)
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary MedalThe Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal is a United States armed forces military award created by George W. Bush on March 12, 2003 by Executive Order 13289. It recognizes those military service members who have deployed overseas in direct service to the War on Terror from September 11,...
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Global War on Terrorism Service MedalThe Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is a military award of the United States military which was created by Executive Order 13289 of President George W. Bush on March 12, 2003...
Humanitarian Service Medal Humanitarian Service MedalThe Humanitarian Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States armed forces which was created on January 19, 1977 by President Gerald Ford under...Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (with 3 service stars) 
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)The Naut Tahrir al-Kuwait was instituted by King Fahd ibn Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia for service during the Liberation of Kuwait campaign.- Background :...
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)The Wisam Al-Tahrir was issued by the government of Kuwait for service during the Liberation of Kuwait campaign.-Description:The Kuwait Liberation Medal was approved by the Kuwait Council of Ministers for award in five classes, generally according to the rank of the recipient...
External links
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.