List of United States Navy four-star admirals

Last updated

Flag of a Navy four-star admiral Flag of a United States Navy admiral.svg
Flag of a Navy
four-star admiral

The rank of admiral (or full admiral, or four-star admiral) is the highest rank normally achievable in the United States Navy. It ranks above vice admiral (three-star admiral) and below fleet admiral (five-star admiral).

Contents

There have been 279 four-star admirals in the history of the U.S. Navy. Of these, 238 achieved that rank while on active duty, 40 were promoted upon retirement in recognition of combat citations, and one was promoted posthumously. Admirals entered the Navy via several paths: 238 were commissioned via the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), 25 via Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC), nine via Officer Candidate School (OCS), two via warrant, two via Aviation Officer Candidate School (AOCS), one via direct commission (direct), one via the Naval Aviation Cadet (NAVCAD) program, and one via the U.S. Merchant Marine.

List of admirals

Entries in the following list of four-star admirals are indexed by the numerical order in which each officer was promoted to that rank while on active duty, or by an asterisk (*) if the officer did not serve in that rank while on active duty. Each entry lists the admiral's name, date of rank, [1] active-duty positions held while serving at four-star rank, [2] number of years of active-duty service at four-star rank (Yrs), [3] year commissioned and source of commission, [4] number of years in commission when promoted to four-star rank (YC), [5] and other biographical notes. [6]

#NamePhotoDate of rank [1] Position [2] Yrs [3] Commission [4] YC [5] Notes [6]
1 David G. Farragut NH 85517 David G. Farragut (cropped).jpg 25 Jul 1866 41810 (warrant)56(1801–1870) Brother-by-adoption of Navy four-star admiral David D. Porter Jr.
2 David D. Porter Jr. David Dixon Porter - Mathew Brady's National Photographic Art Gallery.jpg 15 Aug 1870 
  • Admiral of the Navy, 1870–1891.
  • Head, Board of Inspection, 1877–1891.
211829 (warrant)41(1813–1891) Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy, 1865–1869. Brother-by-adoption of Navy four-star admiral David G. Farragut.
3 George Dewey Adm. George Dewey (flipped).jpg 2 Mar 1899 181858 (USNA)41(1837–1917) Promoted to admiral, 8 Mar 1899 but was promoted to Admiral of the Navy, 24 Mar 1903, with retroactive date of rank 2 Mar 1899. Candidate for Democratic Party nomination for U.S. President, 1900.
4 Frank F. Fletcher Adm Frank F Fletcher.jpg 10 Mar 1915 21875 (USNA)40(1855–1928) [7] Awarded Medal of Honor, 1914. Uncle of Navy four-star admiral Frank J. Fletcher.
5 Thomas B. Howard Thomas Benton Howard (cropped).jpg 11 Mar 1915 11873 (USNA)42(1854–1920) [7] Superintendent, U.S. Naval Observatory, 1917–1919.
6 Walter C. Cowles Walter Cleveland Cowles.JPG 12 Mar 1915 11873 (USNA)42(1853–1917) [7]
7 Albert G. Winterhalter Admiral Albert Gustav Winterhalter circa 1915 (cropped).jpg 9 Jul 1915 21877 (USNA)38(1856–1920) [7]
8 Cameron M. Winslow Admiral Cameron McRae Winslow.jpg 13 Sep 1915 11875 (USNA)40(1854–1932) [7]
9 Henry T. Mayo Henry Thomas Mayo.JPG 19 Jun 1916 31876 (USNA)41(1857–1937) [7] [8] Governor, U.S. Naval Home, 1924–1928.
10 William B. Caperton CAPERTON, ADMIRAL LCCN2016858406 (cropped).jpg 28 Jul 1916 31875 (USNA)41(1855–1941) [7] [8] Special Representative of the President in Brazil, 1918.
11 William S. Benson NH 366 Admiral William S. Benson, USN (cropped).jpg 29 Aug 1916 31877 (USNA) [9] 39(1855–1932) [7] [8] Chairman/Commissioner, U.S. Shipping Board, 1919–1928.
12 Austin M. Knight Austin Melvin Knight (cropped).JPG 4 Apr 1917 11873 (USNA) [9] 44(1854–1927) [7] President, Naval War College, 1913–1917. Brother of Seattle Mayor Bertha Knight Landes.
13 William S. Sims Admiral William Sowden Sims.jpg 4 Dec 1918 21880 (USNA) [9] 38(1858–1936) [7] [8] President, Naval War College, 1917; 1919–1922. Awarded Pulitzer Prize for History, 1921.
14 Henry B. Wilson Jr. Admiral Henry Braid Wilson, U.S. Navy.jpg 30 Jun 1919 21881 (USNA) [9] 38(1861–1954) [7] [8] Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy, 1921–1925. Father-in-law of U.S. Secretary of War Patrick J. Hurley.
15 Hugh Rodman NH 46940 Admiral Hugh Rodman, USN (cropped).jpg 1 Jul 1919 21880 (USNA) [9] 39(1859–1940) [7] [8] U.S. Minister and Envoy to Peru, 1921.
16 Albert Gleaves Albert Gleaves (2).jpg 1 Sep 1919 21877 (USNA) [9] 42(1858–1937) [7] [8] Governor, U.S. Naval Home, 1928–1931.
17 Robert E. Coontz Robert E. Coontz (cropped).jpg 1 Nov 1919 61885 (USNA) [9] 34(1864–1935) [7] [8] Governor of Guam, 1912–1913.
18 Joseph Strauss STRAUSS, J., ADMIRAL LCCN2016860168 (cropped).jpg 4 Feb 1921 11885 (USNA) [9] 36(1861–1948) [7] [8]
19 Hilary P. Jones JONES, H.P., ADMIRAL LCCN2016862129 (cropped).jpg 30 Jun 1921 21884 (USNA) [9] 37(1865–1939) [7] [8]
20 Edward W. Eberle NH 49671 Admiral Edward W. Eberle, USN (cropped).jpg 5 Jul 1921 61885 (USNA) [9] 36(1864–1929) [7] Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy, 1915–1919.
21 Edwin A. Anderson Anderson EA USN h56034.jpg 28 Aug 1922 11882 (USNA) [9] 40(1860–1933) [7] Awarded Medal of Honor, 1914.
22 Samuel S. Robison 24-P-48 Admiral Samuel S. Robison, USN (cropped).jpg 30 Jun 1923 31888 (USNA) [9] 35(1867–1952) [7] [10] Military Governor of Santo Domingo, 1921–1922; Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy, 1928–1931; Superintendent, Admiral Farragut Academy, 1931–1948. Brother-in-law of Navy four-star admiral Charles F. Hughes.
23 Thomas Washington Washington, Admiral Thomas LOC hec.14640-cropped.jpg 11 Oct 1923 21887 (USNA) [9] 36(1865–1954) [7] [10] Governor, U.S. Naval Home, 1931–1937.
24 Charles F. Hughes ADM Charles F. Hughes portrait.jpg 14 Oct 1925 51888 (USNA) [9] 37(1866–1934) [7] Brother-in-law of Navy four-star admiral Samuel S. Robison; daughter married brother of Navy five-star admiral Chester W. Nimitz.
25 Clarence S. Williams Admiral Clarence Stewart Williams, USN (cropped).jpg 14 Oct 1925 21884 (USNA) [9] 41(1863–1951) [7] [10] President, Naval War College, 1922–1925.
26 Richard H. Jackson NH 120012 Admiral Richard Harrison Jackson, USN (cropped).jpg 4 Sep 1926 11887 (USNA) [9] 39(1866–1971) [7] [10] Distant cousin of Air Force four-star general Charles P. Cabell.
27 Henry A. Wiley NH 119486 Admiral Henry Ariosto Wiley, USN.jpg 8 Sep 1927 
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet (CINCUS), 1927–1929.
21888 (USNA) [9] 39(1867–1943) [7] Chairman/Commissioner, U.S. Maritime Commission, 1936–1940.
28 Mark L. Bristol Mark Lambert Bristol.jpg 9 Sep 1927 21887 (USNA) [9] 40(1868–1939) [7] U.S. High Commissioner, Turkey, 1919–1927.
29 Louis R. de Steiguer Admiral Louis R. de Steiguer, USN (cropped).jpg 10 Sep 1927 11889 (USNA) [9] 38(1867–1947) [7] [10]
30 William V. Pratt William Veazie Pratt.jpg 26 Jun 1928 51889 (USNA) [9] 39(1869–1957) [7] [11] President, Naval War College, 1925–1927.
31 Louis M. Nulton ADM Louis M. Nulton, ca. 1915 (cropped).jpg 21 May 1929 11889 (USNA) [9] 40(1869–1954) [7] [10] Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy, 1925–1928.
32 Charles B. McVay Jr. NH 85115 Admiral Charles B. McVay, Jr., USN (cropped).jpg 9 Sep 1929 21890 (USNA) [9] 39(1868–1949) [7] [10]
33 Frank H. Schofield NH 45860 Admiral Frank H. Schofield, USN (cropped).jpg 24 May 1930 21890 (USNA) [9] 40(1869–1942) [7]
34 Jehu V. Chase Jehu V. Chase.jpg 17 Sep 1930 
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet (CINCUS), 1930–1931.
11890 (USNA) [9] 40(1869–1937) [7] Great-grandfather of Navy four-star admiral James F. Caldwell Jr.
35 Montgomery M. Taylor NH 85117 Admiral Montgomery Meigs Taylor, USN.jpg 1 Sep 1931 21890 (USNA) [9] 41(1869–1952) [7] [10] Grandnephew of U.S. President Zachary Taylor; distant cousin of Army four-star general Montgomery C. Meigs.
36 Richard H. Leigh Richard Henry Leigh.JPG 15 Sep 1931 
  • Commander, Battle Force, U.S. Fleet (COMBATFOR), 1931–1932.
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet (CINCUS), 1932–1933.
21891 (USNA) [9] 40(1870–1946) [7] [10]
37 Luke McNamee ADM Luke McNamee, USN.jpg 11 Aug 1932 
  • Commander, Battle Force, U.S. Fleet (COMBATFOR), 1932–1933.
11892 (USNA) [9] 40(1871–1952) [7] [10] Governor of Guam, 1907; Director of Naval Intelligence, 1921–1923; President, Naval War College, 1933–1934.
38 William H. Standley William Standley 80-G-K-2786 (26144162862).jpg 20 May 1933 41895 (USNA) [9] 38(1872–1963) [7] [11] [12] U.S. Ambassador to the Soviet Union, 1942–1943.
39 David F. Sellers NH 85835 Admiral David Foote Sellers, USN (cropped).jpg 10 Jun 1933 
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet (CINCUS), 1933–1934.
11894 (USNA) [9] 39(1874–1949) [7] [10] Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy, 1934–1938.
40 Joseph M. Reeves NH 47100 Admiral Joseph M. Reeves, USN.jpg 1 Jul 1933 
  • Commander, Battle Force, U.S. Fleet (COMBATFOR), 1933–1934.
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet (CINCUS), 1934–1936.
31894 (USNA) [9] 39(1872–1948) [7] [10] [13]
41 Frank B. Upham Admiral Frank Brooks Upham, USN (cropped).jpg 18 Aug 1933 21893 (USNA) [9] 40(1872–1939) [7] Married aunt of Navy four-star admiral Robert B. Carney.
42 Frank H. Brumby NH 56267 Vice Admiral Frank Hardeman Brumby, USN.jpg 15 Jun 1934 
  • Commander, Battle Force, U.S. Fleet (COMBATFOR), 1934–1935.
11895 (USNA) [9] 39(1874–1950) [7] [10]
43 Harris Laning Admiral Harris Laning.png 1 Apr 1935 
  • Commander, Battle Force, U.S. Fleet (COMBATFOR), 1935–1936.
11895 (USNA) [9] 40(1873–1941) [7] President, Naval War College, 1930–1933; Governor, U.S. Naval Home, 1937–1941.
44 Orin G. Murfin NH 70950 Admiral Orin G. Murfin, USN (cropped).jpg 4 Oct 1935 11897 (USNA) [9] 38(1876–1956) [7] [10]
45 William D. Leahy NH 48260 Admiral William D. Leahy, USN (cropped).jpg 30 Mar 1936 51897 (USNA) [9] 39(1875–1959) [14] Promoted to fleet admiral, 15 Dec 1944. Governor of Puerto Rico, 1939–1940; U.S. Ambassador to France, 1941–1942. Wife's niece married Navy four-star admiral David W. Bagley.
46 Arthur J. Hepburn Arthur hepburn adm usn.svg 24 Jun 1936 
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet (CINCUS), 1936–1938.
21897 (USNA) [9] 39(1877–1964) [7] [10]
47 Harry E. Yarnell Adm Harry Yarnell.svg 30 Oct 1936 31897 (USNA) [9] 39(1875–1959) [7] [10] [15]
48 Claude C. Bloch NH 79466 Admiral Claude Charles Bloch, USN.jpg 2 Jan 1937 
  • Commander, Battle Force, U.S. Fleet (COMBATFOR), 1937–1938.
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet (CINCUS), 1938–1940.
31899 (USNA) [9] 38(1878–1967) [7] [16]
49 Edward C. Kalbfus NH 48681 Admiral Edward C. Kalbfus, USN (cropped).jpg 29 Jan 1938 
  • Commander, Battle Force, U.S. Fleet (COMBATFOR), 1938–1939.
11899 (USNA) [9] 39(1877–1954) [7] [10] President, Naval War College, 1934–1936; 1939–1942.
50 James O. Richardson NH 77052 Admiral James O. Richardson, USN (cropped).jpg 24 Jun 1939 
  • Commander, Battle Force, U.S. Fleet (COMBATFOR), 1939–1940.
  • Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet (CINCUS), 1940–1941.
21902 (USNA) [9] 37(1878–1974) [7] [16] Relieved, 1941.
51 Thomas C. Hart NH 95164 Admiral Thomas C. Hart U.S.N (cropped).jpg 25 Jul 1939 31897 (USNA) [9] 42(1877–1971) [17] Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy, 1931–1934; U.S. Senator from Connecticut, 1945–1946.
52 Harold R. Stark Harold Rainsford Stark.jpg 1 Aug 1939 61903 (USNA) [9] 36(1880–1972)
53 Charles P. Snyder NH 45017 Admiral Charles P. Snyder, USN (cropped).jpg 6 Jan 1940 
  • Commander, Battle Force, U.S. Fleet (COMBATFOR), 1940–1941.
11900 (USNA) [9] 40(1879–1964) [7] [16] President, Naval War College, 1937–1939.
54 Husband E. Kimmel Admiral Husband E. Kimmel, USN.jpg 1 Feb 1941 01904 (USNA) [9] 37(1882–1968) [7] Relieved, 1941. Brother-in-law of Navy four-star admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid.
55 Ernest J. King 80-G-K-13800-A (26222698781).jpg 1 Feb 1941 31901 (USNA) [9] 40(1878–1956) Promoted to fleet admiral, 17 Dec 1944. Awarded Congressional Gold Medal, 1946. Father-in-law of Air Force four-star general Frederic H. Smith Jr.
56 Chester W. Nimitz Adm Chester Nimitz-1942.jpg 31 Dec 1941 31905 (USNA) [9] 36(1885–1966) Promoted to fleet admiral, 19 Dec 1944. Brother married daughter of Navy four-star admiral Charles F. Hughes.
57 Royal E. Ingersoll NH 90905 Admiral Royal Eason Ingersoll, USN (cropped).jpg 1 Jul 1942 31905 (USNA) [9] 37(1883–1976)
58 William F. Halsey Jr. Admiral William Frederick Halsey by Harry Warnecke and Robert F. Cranston, 1945, color carbro print, from the National Portrait Gallery - NPG-9500834C 1.jpg 18 Nov 1942 21904 (USNA) [9] 38(1882–1959) Promoted to fleet admiral, 4 Dec 1945.
59 Raymond A. Spruance Ray Spruance (cropped).jpg 16 Feb 1944 41906 (USNA) [9] 38(1886–1969) U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, 1952–1955.
60 Jonas H. Ingram ADM Jonas Ingram.jpg 15 Nov 1944 21909 (USNA) [9] 35(1886–1952) Commissioner, All-America Football Conference, 1947–1949. Awarded Medal of Honor, 1914.
61 Frederick J. Horne Admiral Frederick J Horne.png 15 Dec 1944 11899 (USNA) [9] 45(1880–1959)
62 Richard S. Edwards Jr. Richard Edwards, Adm USN.svg 3 Apr 1945 21907 (USNA) [9] 38(1885–1956)
63 H. Kent Hewitt H. Kent Hewitt Adm USN.svg 3 Apr 1945 41907 (USNA) [9] 38(1887–1972)
64 Thomas C. Kinkaid Thomas C. Kinkaid.jpg 3 Apr 1945 51908 (USNA) [9] 37(1888–1972) Brother-in-law of Navy four-star admiral Husband E. Kimmel.
65 Richmond K. Turner Richmond Kelly Turner (cropped).jpg 24 May 1945 21908 (USNA) [9] 37(1885–1961)
66 Samuel M. Robinson 80-G-424359 Vice Admiral Samuel M. Robinson, USN (cropped).jpg 27 Aug 1945 11903 (USNA) [9] 42(1882–1972) Administrator, Webb Institute of Naval Architecture, 1946–1951. First staff corps officer to attain rank of admiral.
* John S. McCain Sr. Vice-Admiral John S McCain.jpg 6 Sep 1945 
  • (posthumous)
01906 (USNA) [9] 39(1884–1945) Father of Navy four-star admiral John S. McCain Jr.; grandfather of U.S. Senator John S. McCain III.
67 John H. Towers CINCPAC ADM Towers.jpg 7 Nov 1945 21906 (USNA) [9] 39(1885–1955)
68 DeWitt C. Ramsey CINCPAC ADM Ramsey.jpg 28 Dec 1945 41912 (USNA)33(1888–1961)
69 Louis E. Denfeld 80-G-704657 (26290116655).jpg 7 Jan 1946 21912 (USNA)34(1891–1972) [18] Candidate for Republican Party nomination for Governor of Massachusetts, 1950. Relieved, 1949.
70 Charles M. Cooke Jr. Charles-Cooke-g302333.jpg 8 Jan 1946 21910 (USNA) [9] 36(1886–1970)
71 Marc A. Mitscher Marc Mitscher.jpg 1 Mar 1946 11910 (USNA) [9] 36(1887–1947) Died in office.
72 Ben Moreell ADM Ben Moreell.jpg 11 Jun 1946 01917 (direct)29(1892–1978)
73 Richard L. Conolly VADM Richard L. Conolly (cropped).jpg 23 Sep 1946 41914 (USNA)32(1892–1962) [19] President, Naval War College, 1950–1953; President, Long Island University, 1953–1962.
74 William H.P. Blandy L-38-07 ADM William H.P. Blandy.jpg 3 Feb 1947 31913 (USNA)34(1890–1954)
75 Arthur W. Radford ADM Arthur Radford.JPG 7 Apr 1949 81916 (USNA)33(1896–1973) Married aunt of Army four-star general Michael S. Davison.
76 Forrest P. Sherman Forrest P SHerman.jpg 2 Nov 1949 21917 (USNA)32(1896–1951) Died in office.
77 William M. Fechteler Portrait of ADM William M. Fechteler (58-64).jpg 1 Feb 1950 61916 (USNA)34(1896–1967)
78 Robert B. Carney Robert Bostwick Carney.jpg 2 Oct 1950 51916 (USNA)34(1895–1990) Aunt married Navy four-star admiral Frank B. Upham.
79 Lynde D. McCormick 80-G-625350 Admiral Lynde D. McCormick, USN (cropped portrait 2).jpg 22 Dec 1950 41915 (USNA)35(1895–1956) [20] President, Naval War College, 1954–1956.
80 Donald B. Duncan Donald B Duncan.jpg 9 Aug 1951 51917 (USNA)34(1896–1975) Governor, U.S. Naval Home, 1957–1962. Brother-in-law of U.S. Secretary of Commerce Harry L. Hopkins.
81 Felix B. Stump NH 83118 Admiral Felix B. Stump, USN (cropped).jpg 27 Jun 1953 51917 (USNA)36(1894–1972)
82 Jerauld Wright 80-G-K-20072 Admiral Jerauld Wright, USN.jpg 6 Apr 1954 61917 (USNA)37(1898–1995) U.S. Ambassador to China, 1963–1965.
83 John H. Cassady L38-13.08.01 Admiral John H. Cassady.jpg 7 Apr 1954 21918 (USNA)36(1896–1969)
84 Arleigh A. Burke ADM Burke, Arleigh (CNO).jpg 6 Jun 1955 61923 (USNA)32(1901–1996) Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1977.
85 Robert P. Briscoe Admiral Robert Briscoe from 2000 USS Briscoe Cruisebook.jpg 30 Apr 1956 31918 (USNA)38(1897–1968)
86 Walter F. Boone Adm. Walter F. Boone.jpg 1 May 1956 41920 (USNA)36(1898–1995) Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy, 1954–1956; Deputy Associate Administrator for Defense Affairs, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 1962–1968.
87 Harry D. Felt CINCPAC ADM Felt.jpg 1 Sep 1956 81923 (USNA)33(1902–1992)
88 Maurice E. Curts Maurice E Curts.jpg 29 Apr 1957 11919 (USNA)38(1898–1976) [19]
89 James L. Holloway Jr. ADM James L. Holloway Jr (cropped).jpg 1 Jan 1958 11918 (USNA)40(1898–1984) Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy, 1947–1950; Governor, U.S. Naval Home, 1962–1966. Father of Navy four-star admiral James L. Holloway III.
90 Herbert G. Hopwood Herbert G. Hopwood.JPG 1 Feb 1958 21919 (USNA)39(1898–1966)
91 James S. Russell ADM James S. Russell.jpg 21 Jul 1958 71926 (USNA)32(1903–1996)
92 Charles R. Brown NH 56283-KN Admiral Charles Randall Brown, USN.jpg 1 Jan 1959 21921 (USNA)38(1899–1983)
93 Robert L. Dennison Robert L Dennison.jpg 1 Feb 1959 41923 (USNA)36(1901–1980)
94 Harold Page Smith Harold Page Smith.jpg 1 Feb 1960 51924 (USNA)36(1904–1993) Uncle of Navy four-star admiral Leighton W. Smith Jr.
95 John H. Sides L-38-82 ADM John H. Sides.jpg 1 Mar 1960 31925 (USNA)35(1904–1978)
96 George W. Anderson Jr. PAA-N-4996 ADM George W. Anderson, Jr. (26501746045).jpg 1 Aug 1961 21927 (USNA)34(1906–1992) U.S. Ambassador to Portugal, 1963–1966.
97 Claude V. Ricketts ADM Claude V. Ricketts.jpg 1 Nov 1961 31929 (USNA)32(1906–1964) Died in office.
98 David L. McDonald ADM McDonald, David Lamar.jpg 1 Apr 1963 41928 (USNA)35(1906–1997)
99 Charles D. Griffin ADM Griffin, Charles D.jpg 26 Jun 1963 51927 (USNA)36(1906–1996)
100 U.S. Grant Sharp Jr. ADM Sharp, Ulysses Grant Jr.jpg 27 Sep 1963 51927 (USNA)36(1906–2001) Great-aunt married U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant.
101 Thomas H. Moorer ADM Thomas Moorer.JPG 26 Jun 1964 101933 (USNA)31(1912–2004)
102 Horacio Rivero Jr. ADM Rivero, Horacio Jr.jpg 31 Jul 1964 81931 (USNA)33(1910–2000) U.S. Ambassador to Spain, 1972–1974.
103 John S. Thach ADM Thach, John.jpg 25 Mar 1965 21927 (USNA)38(1905–1981)
104 Alfred G. Ward ADM Ward, Alfred G.jpg 27 Mar 1965 31932 (USNA)33(1909–1982)
105 Roy L. Johnson ADM Roy Johnson.jpg 31 Mar 1965 21929 (USNA)36(1906–1999)
106 John S. McCain Jr. John S. McCain, Jr. color portrait.jpg 1 May 1967 51931 (USNA)36(1911–1981) Son of Navy four-star admiral John S. McCain Sr.; father of U.S. Senator John S. McCain III.
107 Ignatius J. Galantin Ignatius J Gallantin.jpg 19 May 1967 31933 (USNA)34(1910–2004)
108 Ephraim P. Holmes ADM Holmes, Ephraim.jpg 17 Jun 1967 31930 (USNA)37(1908–1997)
109 John J. Hyland Jr. ADM Hyland, John J.jpg 1 Dec 1967 31934 (USNA)33(1912–1998)
110 Bernard A. Clarey ADM Bernard A. Clarey.jpg 17 Jan 1968 51934 (USNA)34(1912–1996)
111 Waldemar F.A. Wendt Waldemar F. A. Wendt portrait.jpg 12 Jul 1968 31933 (USNA)35(1912–1997)
112 Elmo R. Zumwalt Jr. Elmo R. Zumwalt.jpg 1 Jul 1970 41942 (USNA)28(1920–2000) Democratic Party nominee for U.S. Senator from Virginia, 1976. Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1998.
113 Charles K. Duncan ADM Duncan, Charles K.jpg 1 Sep 1970 21933 (USNA)37(1911–1994)
114 Jackson D. Arnold VADM Jackson D Arnold's Retirement Photo.jpg 14 Oct 1970 11934 (USNA)36(1912–2007) First restricted line officer to attain rank of admiral.
115 Ralph W. Cousins L38-18 ADM Ralph W. Cousins.jpg 30 Oct 1970  51937 (USNA)33(1915–2009)
116 William F. Bringle Vice Admiral William F. Bringle.jpg 1 Jul 1971 21937 (USNA)34(1913–1999)
117 Isaac C. Kidd Jr. Isaac C. Kidd, Jr. portrait.jpg 1 Dec 1971 71942 (USNA)29(1919–1999)
118 Richard G. Colbert Adm. Richard G. Colbert (cropped 2).jpg 1 Jun 1972 11937 (USNA)35(1915–1973) President, Naval War College, 1968–1971.
119 Noel A.M. Gayler CINCPAC ADM Gayler.jpg 1 Sep 1972 41935 (USNA)37(1914–2011) Director, National Security Agency, 1969–1972.
120 Maurice F. Weisner CINCPAC ADM Weisner.jpg 1 Sep 1972 71941 (USNA)31(1917–2006)
121 James L. Holloway III James Holloway III.jpg 1 Sep 1973 51942 (USNA)31(1922–2019) Son of Navy four-star admiral James L. Holloway Jr.
122 Worth H. Bagley ADM Worth H. Bagley.jpg 1 Sep 1973 21947 (USNA)26(1924–2016) Son of Navy four-star admiral David W. Bagley; brother of Navy four-star admiral David H. Bagley; great-aunt married Navy five-star admiral William D. Leahy; great-aunt married U.S. Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels.
123 Hyman G. Rickover Hyman Rickover 1955.jpg 16 Nov 1973 91922 (USNA)51(1900–1986) [21] Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1980; Congressional Gold Medal, 1958 and 1982.
124 Means Johnston Jr. L38-44.03.01 Admiral Means Johnston, Jr., USN.jpg 25 Nov 1973 21939 (USNA)34(1916–1989)
125 Harold E. Shear ADM Shear, Harold Edson.jpg 24 May 1974 61942 (USNA)32(1918–1999) Administrator, U.S. Maritime Administration, 1981–1985.
126 John P. Weinel ADM Weinel, John Philip.jpg 2 Aug 1974 31939 (USNA)35(1916–2004)
127 Frederick H. Michaelis ADM Michaelis, Frederick H.jpg 19 Apr 1975 31940 (USNA)35(1917–1992)
128 David H. Bagley Bagley, David Harrington.JPG 21 May 1975 21943 (USNA)32(1920–1992) Son of Navy four-star admiral David W. Bagley; brother of Navy four-star admiral Worth H. Bagley; great-aunt married Navy five-star admiral William D. Leahy; great-aunt married U.S. Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels.
129 Stansfield Turner Admiral Stansfield Turner, official Navy photo, 1983.JPEG 1 Sep 1975 41946 (USNA)29(1923–2018) President, Naval War College, 1972–1974.
130 Daniel J. Murphy D. J. Murphy 428-GX-271-KN-28684.jpg 28 May 1976 
  • Deputy to the Director of Central Intelligence for the Intelligence Community (D/DCI/IC), 1976–1977.
11943 (OCS)33(1922–2001) U.S. Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, 1977–1981; Chief of Staff to the U.S. Vice President, 1981–1985.
131 Thomas B. Hayward ADM Hayward, Thomas B CNO Official Portrait.jpg 12 Aug 1976 61947 (USNA)29(1924–2022)
132 Robert L. J. Long CINCPAC ADM Long.jpg 5 Jul 1977 61943 (USNA)34(1920–2002)
133 Donald C. Davis ADM Donald C. Davis.jpg 9 May 1978 31943 (USNA)35(1921–1998)
134 Alfred J. Whittle Jr. ADM Whittle, Alfred James Jr.jpg 1 Aug 1978 31945 (USNA)33(1924–1993)
135 Harry D. Train II ADM Train, Harry Depue II.jpg 1 Oct 1978 41949 (USNA)29(1927–    )
136 James D. Watkins Admiral James Watkins, official military photo.JPEG 18 Sep 1979 71949 (USNA)30(1927–2012) Chairman, Watkins Commission, 1987–1988; U.S. Secretary of Energy, 1989–1993.
137 William J. Crowe Jr. Adm William Crowe Jr.JPG 30 May 1980 91947 (USNA)33(1925–2007) Chairman, President's Intelligence Advisory Board, 1993–1994; U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, 1994–1997. Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, 2000.
138 Bobby R. Inman Admiral Bobby Ray Inman, official CIA photo, 1983.JPEG 12 Feb 1981 11952 (OCS)29(1931–    ) [22] Director of Naval Intelligence, 1974–1976; Director, National Security Agency, 1977–1981. First naval intelligence specialist to attain rank of admiral.
139 William N. Small ADM Small, William Newell 2.JPEG 1 Jul 1981 41948 (USNA)33(1927–2016)
140 John G. Williams Jr. John G. Williams, Jr.jpg 1 Jul 1981 21947 (USNA)34(1924–1991)
141 George E.R. Kinnear II George Kinnear1.jpg 31 Jul 1981 11948 (OCS)33(1928–2015)
142 Kinnaird R. McKee Kinnaird R. McKee DN-SC-86-01010.JPG 2 Mar 1982 61951 (USNA)31(1929–2013) Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy, 1975–1978.
143 Sylvester R. Foley Jr. ADM Sylvester Foley.JPEG 28 May 1982 31950 (USNA)32(1928–2019) U.S. Assistant Secretary of Energy for Defense Programs, 1985–1988.
144 Wesley L. McDonald ADM McDonald, Wesley USN.jpg 1 Oct 1982 31946 (USNA)36(1924–2009)
145 Ronald J. Hays Ronald J Hays.jpg 29 Apr 1983 51950 (USNA)33(1928–2021)
146 Steven A. White Steven A White.jpg 1 Aug 1983 21952 (NROTC)31(1928–2021) Manager of Nuclear Power, Tennessee Valley Authority, 1986–1988.
147 Lee Baggett Jr. Admiral (ADM) Lee Baggett Jr., USN (uncovered).jpg 30 May 1985 31950 (USNA)35(1927–1999)
148 James A. Lyons Jr. James A Lyons Jr.jpg 16 Sep 1985 21952 (USNA)33(1927–2018)
149 Carlisle A.H. Trost Admiral Carlisle Trost, official military photo.JPEG 4 Oct 1985 51953 (USNA)32(1930–2020)
150 James B. Busey IV James B Busey IV.jpg 17 Oct 1985 41954 (NAVCAD)31(1932–2023) Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration, 1989–1991; U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation, 1991–1992.
151 Arthur S. Moreau Jr. Admiral Arthur S. Moreau Jr.jpg 15 Nov 1985 11953 (USNA)32(1931–1986) Died in office.
152 Frank B. Kelso II ADM Frank B. Kelso II, 1994.jpg 13 Jun 1986 81956 (USNA)30(1933–2013)
153 Huntington Hardisty Huntington Hardisty.jpg 11 Mar 1987 41952 (USNA)35(1929–2003) President, Naval War College, 1977.
154 Powell F. Carter Jr. Portrait of US Navy (USN) Admiral (ADM) Powell F. Carter Jr. (covered).jpg 1 Oct 1987 41955 (USNA)32(1931–2017)
155 David E. Jeremiah ADM David E Jeremiah.JPG 1 Oct 1987 71956 (OCS)32(1934–2013)
156 Leon A. Edney Portrait of US Navy Admiral Leon A. Edney.jpg 1 Oct 1988 41957 (USNA)31(1935–    )
157 Bruce DeMars Adm. Bruce DeMars, USN.jpg 1 Nov 1988 81957 (USNA)31(1935–2024)
158 James R. Hogg James R. Hogg DN-SC-91-02424.JPEG 1 Dec 1988 31956 (USNA)32(1934–    )
159 Jonathan T. Howe Jonathan howe.jpg 1 Jun 1989 31957 (USNA)32(1935–    ) U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Politico-Military Affairs, 1982–1984; Special Representative of the U.N. Secretary General for Somalia, 1993–1994.
160 Charles R. Larson Adm Charles R Larson - official portrait, Superintendent of US Naval Academy.jpg 1 Mar 1990 81958 (USNA)32(1936–2014) [23] Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy, 1983–1986; Democratic Party nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, 2002.
161 Jerome L. Johnson Jerome L Johnson.jpg 1 Jul 1990 21956 (NROTC)34(1935–    )
162 Paul D. Miller Adm Paul D Miller USN.jpeg 1 Feb 1991 31964 (OCS)27(1941–    )
163 William D. Smith William D Smith.jpg 22 Feb 1991 21955 (USNA)36(1933–2020)
164 Robert J. Kelly Robert J Kelly.jpg 1 Mar 1991 31959 (USNA)32(1938–    )
165 Jeremy M. Boorda Adm. Jeremy M. Boorda (2).jpg 2 Mar 1992 41962 (OCS)30(1938–1996) Died in office.
166 William O. Studeman Vice Admiral William Studeman (NSA), 1988.jpg 9 Apr 1992 31962 (NROTC)30(1940–    ), Director of Naval Intelligence, 1985–1988; Director, National Security Agency, 1988–1992. Father of Navy rear admiral Michael W. Studeman.
167 Stanley R. Arthur Stanley R Arthur.jpg 6 Jul 1992 31957 (NROTC)35(1935–    ) [24]
168 Henry H. Mauz Jr. Henry H Mauz2.jpg 1 Aug 1992 21959 (USNA)33(1936–    )
169 Henry G. Chiles Jr. Henry G Chiles (cropped).jpg 14 Feb 1994 21960 (USNA)34(1938–    )
170 William A. Owens Admiral William Owens, military portrait, 1994.JPEG 1 Mar 1994 21962 (USNA)32(1940–    )
171 Leighton W. Smith Jr. ADM Leighton W. Smith, Jr.jpg 1 May 1994 21962 (USNA)32(1939–    ) Nephew of Navy four-star admiral Harold Page Smith.
172 Richard C. Macke USCINCPAC ADM Macke.jpg 1 Oct 1994 21960 (USNA)34(1938–2022) [7] Relieved, 1996.
173 Ronald J. Zlatoper Ronald J Zlatoper.jpg 5 Oct 1994 21963 (NROTC)31(1941–2022)
174 William J. Flanagan Jr. ADM William J Flanagan.jpg 1 Nov 1994 21964 (MMA) [25] 30(1943–    )
175 Joseph W. Prueher Joseph W. Prueher, ADM USN, 1996.jpg 1 Jun 1995 41964 (USNA)31(1942–    ) U.S. Ambassador to China, 1999–2001.
176 Jay L. Johnson Admiral Jay Johnson, official military photo.JPEG 1 Apr 1996 41968 (USNA)28(1946–    )
177 Thomas J. Lopez ADM Thomas J Lopez.jpg 31 Jul 1996 21964 (NROTC)32(1940–    )
178 Frank L. Bowman ADM Frank L. Bowman (covered 2).jpg 1 Oct 1996 81966 (NROTC)30(1944–    )
179 Harold W. Gehman Jr. Admiral Harold W. Gehman, Jr..jpg 1 Oct 1996 41965 (NROTC)31(1942–    )
180 Archie R. Clemins Archie R Clemins (cropped).jpg 1 Jan 1997 21966 (NROTC)31(1943–2020)
181 J. Paul Reason Admiral Joseph Paul Reason.jpg 1 Feb 1997 21965 (USNA)32(1941–    ) First African-American to achieve the rank of admiral.
182 Donald L. Pilling Donald L Pilling.jpg 30 Oct 1997 31965 (USNA)32(1943–2008)
183 Richard W. Mies Adm. Richard W. Mies STRATCOM.gif 1 Aug 1998 31967 (USNA)31(1944–    )
184 Charles S. Abbot ADM Charles S. Abbot, USN (grayscale).jpg 1 Sep 1998 21966 (USNA)32(1945–    ) Deputy Director, Office of Homeland Security, 2001–2003.
185 James O. Ellis James o ellis.jpg 1 Jan 1999 51969 (USNA)30(1947–    )
186 Dennis C. Blair Dennis Blair.jpg 1 May 1999 31968 (USNA)31(1946–    ) President, Institute for Defense Analyses, 2003–2006; Director of National Intelligence, 2009–2010.
187 Vernon E. Clark VernClark.jpg 1 Nov 1999 61968 (OCS)31(1944–    )
188 Thomas B. Fargo Thomas fargo.jpg 1 Dec 1999 61970 (USNA)29(1948–    )
189 Robert J. Natter Robert J Natter.jpg 1 Sep 2000 31967 (USNA)33(1945–    )
190 William J. Fallon ADM Fallon Portrait.jpg 1 Nov 2000 81967 (NROTC)33(1944–    ) Resigned, 2008.
191 Gregory G. Johnson Gregory G Johnson.jpg 24 Oct 2001 31969 (NROTC)32(1946–    )
192 Walter F. Doran ADMWalterDoran.jpg 4 May 2002 31967 (NROTC)35(1945–    )
193 Edmund P. Giambastiani Jr. Giambastiani - 27 Feb 07.jpg 2 Oct 2002 51970 (USNA)32(1948–    )
194 Michael G. Mullen Michael Mullen, CJCS, official photo portrait, 2007.jpg 28 Aug 2003 81968 (USNA)35(1946–    )
195 John B. Nathman John B. Nathman.jpg 1 Dec 2004 31970 (USNA)34(1948–    )
196 Timothy J. Keating Timothy J. Keating 2007 2.jpg 1 Jan 2005 51971 (USNA)34(1949–    )
197 Kirkland H. Donald ADM Kirkland H Donald.jpg 1 Jan 2005 81975 (USNA)30(1953–    )
198 Robert F. Willard ADM Robert F. Willard.jpg 18 Mar 2005 71973 (USNA)32(1950–    )
199 Henry G. Ulrich III Henry ulrich.jpg 22 Jul 2005 21972 (USNA)33(1950–    )
200 Gary Roughead US Navy 071108-N-0000X-001 Navy file photo of Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead.jpg 1 Sep 2005 61973 (USNA)32(1951–    )
201 James G. Stavridis Stavridis EUCOM.jpg 18 Oct 2006 71976 (USNA)30(1955–    ) Dean, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, 2013–2018.
202 Patrick M. Walsh ADM Walsh.jpg 5 Apr 2007 51977 (USNA)30(1955–    )
203 Eric T. Olson Admiral Eric Olson.jpg 6 Jul 2007 41973 (USNA)34(1952–    ) First Navy SEAL to achieve the rank of admiral.
204 Jonathan W. Greenert Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert (CNO).jpg 29 Sep 2007 81975 (USNA)32(1953–    )
205 Mark P. Fitzgerald ADM Mark Fitzgerald.jpg 30 Nov 2007 31973 (NROTC)34(1951–    )
206 John C. Harvey Jr. ADM John C Harvey Jr.jpg 24 Jul 2009 31973 (USNA)36(1951–    ) Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, 2014–2017.
207 James A. Winnefeld Jr. Admiral James A. Winnefeld, Jr.jpg 19 May 2010 51978 (NROTC)32(1956–    ) Chair, President's Intelligence Advisory Board, 2022–present.
208 Samuel J. Locklear III Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III 2012.jpg 6 Oct 2010 51977 (USNA)33(1954–    )
209 William H. McRaven ADM William H. McRaven 2012.jpg 8 Aug 2011 31977 (NROTC)34(1955–    ) Chancellor, University of Texas System, 2015–2018.
210 Mark E. Ferguson III Ferguson2014.jpg 22 Aug 2011 51978 (USNA)33(1956–    )
211 Cecil D. Haney Admiral Cecil D. Haney STRATCOM.jpg 20 Jan 2012 41978 (USNA)34(1955–    )
212 Bruce W. Clingan ADM Bruce W. Clingan.jpg 24 Feb 2012 21977 (NROTC)34(1955–    )
213 William E. Gortney Gortney2014.jpg 14 Sep 2012 41977 (AOCS)35(1955–    )
214 John M. Richardson Admiral John M. Richardson (CNO) 150917-N-AT895-703 (26207156950).jpg 2 Nov 2012 71982 (USNA)31(1960–    )
215 Harry B. Harris Jr. Harris Jr PACOM 2015.jpg 16 Oct 2013 51978 (USNA)35(1956–    ) [26] U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, 2018–2021. First Asian-American to achieve the rank of admiral.
216 Michael S. Rogers Rogers 2018.jpg 3 Apr 2014 41981 (NROTC)33(1959–    ) First Information Warfare Community officer to achieve the rank of admiral.
217 Michelle J. Howard Admiral Michelle J. Howard VCNO.jpg 1 Jul 2014 31982 (USNA)32(1960–    ) Chair, The Naming Commission, 2021–2022. First woman to achieve the rank of admiral.
218 Philip S. Davidson Davidson PACOM.jpg 19 Dec 2014 71982 (USNA)32(1960–    )
219 Scott H. Swift Admiral Scott H. Swift, USN.jpg 27 May 2015 31979 (AOCS)36(1957–    )
220 James F. Caldwell Jr. ADM James Caldwell 2015.jpg 14 Aug 2015 91981 (USNA)34(1959–    ) Great-grandson of Navy four-star admiral Jehu V. Chase.
221 Kurt W. Tidd ADM Kurt W. Tidd.jpg 14 Jan 2016 21978 (USNA)38(1956–    )
222 William F. Moran Moran 2016 2.jpg 31 May 2016 31981 (USNA)35(1958–    ) [27]
223 James G. Foggo III Foggo 2018.jpg 20 Oct 2017 31981 (USNA)36(1959–    )
224 Christopher W. Grady ADM Christopher W. Grady (2).jpg 4 May 2018 61984 (NROTC)34(1962–    )
225 John C. Aquilino ADM John C. Aquilino (USINDOPACOM).jpg 17 May 2018 61984 (USNA)34(1961–    ) [28]
226 Craig S. Faller Faller Southcom 2.jpg 26 Nov 2018 31983 (USNA)35(1961–    )
227 Robert P. Burke Burke 2020.jpg 10 Jun 2019 31983 (NROTC)36(1962–    )
228 Michael M. Gilday Gilday CNO.jpg 22 Aug 2019 41985 (USNA)34(1962–    )
229 Charles A. Richard Chas Richard STRATCOM 2019.jpg 18 Nov 2019 31982 (NROTC)37(1959–    )
230 William K. Lescher Adm. William K. Lescher.jpg 29 May 2020 21980 (USNA)40(1958–    )
231 Samuel J. Paparo Jr. ADM Samuel J. Paparo Jr. (3).jpg 5 May 2021 31987 (NROTC)34(1964–    )
232 Daryl L. Caudle Admiral Daryl L. Caudle (U.S. Fleet Forces Command).jpg 7 Dec 2021 31985 (OCS)36(1963–    )
233 Stuart B. Munsch Munsch Official Portrait, 2022.jpg 27 Jun 2022 21985 (USNA)37(1962–    )
234 Lisa M. Franchetti ADM Lisa M. Franchetti (3).jpg 2 Sep 2022 21985 (NROTC)37(1964–    )
235 James W. Kilby ADM James W. Kilby.jpg 5 Jan 2024 01986 (USNA)38(1963–    )
236 William J. Houston ADM William J. Houston.jpg 10 Jan 2024 01990 (NROTC)34(1968–    )
237 Stephen T. Koehler ADM Stephen T. Koehler.jpg 5 Apr 2024 01986 (NROTC)38(1964–    )
238 Alvin Holsey ADM Alvin Holsey.jpg 7 Nov 2024 31988 (NROTC)36(1965–    )

Tombstone admirals

The Act of Congress of 4 March 1925, allowed officers in the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard to be promoted one grade upon retirement if they had been specially commended for performance of duty in actual combat. Combat citation promotions were colloquially known as "tombstone promotions" because they conferred all the perks and prestige of the higher rank including the loftier title on their tombstones but no additional retirement pay. The Act of Congress of 23 February 1942, enabled tombstone promotions to three- and four-star grades. Tombstone promotions were subsequently restricted to citations issued before 1 January 1947, and finally eliminated altogether effective 1 November 1959.

Any admiral who actually served in a grade while on active duty receives precedence on the retired list over any tombstone admiral holding the same retired grade. Tombstone admirals rank among each other according to the dates of their highest active duty grade.

NamePhotoDate of rank (VADM)Date retiredCommission [4] Notes
1 William L. Calhoun William Lowndes Calhoun.jpg 16 Jun 1942 Dec 1946 1906 (USNA) [9] (1885–1963) [29] Great-grandson of U.S. Vice President John C. Calhoun.
2 Frank J. Fletcher Frank Jack Fletcher-g14193.jpg 26 Jun 1942 May 1947 1906 (USNA) [9] (1885–1973) Awarded Medal of Honor, 1914. Nephew of Navy four-star admiral Frank F. Fletcher.
3 Aubrey W. Fitch Aubrey W. Fitch;h97275.jpg 28 Dec 1942 Jul 1947 1906 (USNA) [9] (1883–1948) Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy, 1945–1947.
4 John Howard Hoover Admiral John H. Hoover.jpg 1 Jan 1943 Jul 1948 1906 (USNA) [9] (1887–1970)
5 Alan G. Kirk Alan g kirk.jpg 10 Sep 1944 Mar 1946 1909 (USNA) [9] (1888–1963) Director of Naval Intelligence, 1941; U.S. Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg, 1946–1947; to Soviet Union, 1949–1952; to China, 1962–1963.
6 George D. Murray VADM George D. Murray.jpg 29 Nov 1944 Aug 1951 1911 (USNA) [9] (1889–1956)
7 Jesse B. Oldendorf Jesse Oldendorf.jpg 7 Dec 1944 Sep 1948 1909 (USNA) [9] (1887–1974)
8 Arthur S. Carpender Arthur Carpender (colored).jpg 3 Apr 1945 Nov 1946 1908 (USNA) [9] (1884–1959) Superintendent, Admiral Farragut Academy, 1948–19??
9 Harry W. Hill Harry W. Hill.jpg 22 Apr 1945 May 1952  1911 (USNA) [9] (1890–1971) Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy, 1950–1952; Governor, U.S. Naval Home, 1952–1954.
10 Frederick C. Sherman Admiral Frederick C. Sherman, USN.jpg 13 Jul 1945 Mar 1947 1910 (USNA) [9] (1880–1957)
11 John L. Hall Jr. 80-G-302404 Rear Admiral John L. Hall Jr., USN (cropped).jpg 10 Dec 1945 May 1953 1913 (USNA)(1891–1978)
12 Oscar C. Badger II 80-G-704899 Rear Admiral Oscar C. Badger, USN (cropped).jpg 13 Dec 1945 Jun 1952 1911 (USNA) [9] (1890–1958) Awarded Medal of Honor, 1914. Cousin of U.S. Secretary of the Navy George E. Badger.
13 John D. Price Vice Adm. John D. Price (cropped).jpg 31 Aug 1946 Jun 1954 1916 (USNA)(1892–1957)
14 Francis S. Low Francis Stuart Low2.jpg 12 Mar 1947 Jul 1956 1915 (USNA)(1894–1964)
15 David W. Bagley VADM David Worth Bagley, USN.jpg 1 Apr 1947 Apr 1947 1904 (USNA) [9] (1883–1960) Father of Navy four-star admiral David H. Bagley and Navy four-star admiral Worth H. Bagley; grandson of North Carolina Governor Jonathan Worth; aunt married U.S. Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels; wife's aunt married Navy five-star admiral William D. Leahy.
16 Harold B. Sallada L38-77.07.01 Rear Admiral Harold B. Sallada.jpg 11 May 1947 Oct 1949 1917 (USNA)(1895–1977)
17 Arthur D. Struble Arthur Dewey Struble.jpg 26 Apr 1948 Jul 1956 1915 (USNA) [30] (1894–1983)
18 Russell S. Berkey Vice Adm. Russel S. Berkey (cropped).jpg 1 Jul 1948 Sep 1950 1916 (USNA)(1893–1984)
19 John W. Reeves Jr. 38-MCN-438 Rear Admiral John W. Reeves, Jr.jpg 1 Apr 1949 May 1950 1911 (USNA) [9] (1888–1967) General Manager, Los Angeles International Airport, 1950–1952.
20 C. Turner Joy Vice Admiral C. Turner Joy, USNA Superintendent (uncovered).jpg 1 Aug 1949 Jul 1954 1916 (USNA)(1895–1956) Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy, 1952–1954.
21 Thomas L. Sprague Thomas L. Sprague (cropped).jpg 15 Aug 1949 Apr 1952 1917 (USNA)(1894–1972)
22 John J. Ballentine ADM John J. Ballentine.jpg 1 Nov 1949 May 1954 1917 (USNA)(1896–1970)
23 Matthias B. Gardner NH 81907 Vice Admiral Matthias B. Gardner, USN (cropped).jpg 1 Oct 1950 Aug 1956 1919 (USNA)(1897–1975)
24 Albert G. Noble 80-G-428026 Vice Admiral Albert G. Noble.jpg 29 Dec 1950 Oct 1951 1917 (USNA)(1885–1980)
25 Harold M. Martin NH 97358 Vice Admiral Harold M. Martin, USN.jpg 1 Feb 1951 Feb 1956 1919 (USNA)(1896–1972)
26 Arthur C. Davis Vice Adm. Arthur C. Davis, USN (cropped).jpg 12 Feb 1951 Apr 1955 1915 (USNA)(1893–1965)
27 Laurance T. DuBose 80-G-433301 Laurance T. DuBose (cropped).jpg 30 Mar 1951 Jun 1955 1913 (USNA)(1893–1967)
28 James Fife Jr. James Fife Jr.jpg 9 Aug 1951 Aug 1955 1918 (USNA)(1897–1975) Director, Mystic Seaport, 1956–1975
29 Frank G. Fahrion Admiral Frank G Fahrion.jpg 28 Dec 1951 May 1956 1917 (USNA)(1894–1970)
30 Joseph J. Clark Admiral Joseph J. Clark (cropped).jpg 7 Mar 1952 Dec 1953 1918 (USNA)(1893–1971)
31 Roscoe F. Good 80-G-625675 Vice Admiral Roscoe Fletcher Good, USN (cropped).jpg 27 Mar 1953 Mar 1958 1919 (USNA)(1897–1974)
32 William K. Phillips Rear Admiral William K. Phillips, USN.jpg 28 Jul 1953 Aug 1955 1918 (USNA)(1894–1986)
33 John E. Gingrich Adm. John E. Gingrich.jpg 30 Jul 1953 Oct 1954 1919 (USNA)(1897–1960)
34 Alfred M. Pride Alfred M. Pride.jpeg 9 Oct 1953 Oct 1959 1918 (OCS) [31] (1897–1988)
35 Edmund T. Wooldridge NH 95738 Vice Admiral Edmund T. Wooldridge, USN.jpg 6 Apr 1954 Aug 1958 1920 (USNA)(1897–1968)
36 Austin K. Doyle Austin K. Doyle.jpg 7 May 1954 Aug 1958 1920 (USNA)(1898–1970)
37 Stuart S. Murray Stuart S. Murray.jpg 7 Dec 1955 Aug 1956 1918 (USNA)(1898–1980) Nephew of Oklahoma Governor William H. Murray.
38 Cato D. Glover Jr. Admiral Cato D. Glover.jpg 8 Dec 1955 Sep 1957 1919 (USNA)(1897–1988)
39 John M. Will 80-G-692034 Vice Admiral John M. Will, U.S. Navy.jpg 17 Apr 1956 Jul 1959 1923 (USNA)(1899–1981)
40 Byron N. Hanlon Byron H. Hanlon.jpg 1 Nov 1957 Oct 1958 1921 (USNA)(1900–1977)

History

Four-star positions

Structure of the United States NavyStructure of the United States Navyfederal government of the United StatesUnited States Intelligence Communitycombined operationsUnified combatant commandUnified combatant commandJoint Chiefs of StaffIraq WarWar in Afghanistan (2001–2021)Gulf WarVietnam WarKorean WarCold WarWorld War IIWorld War ISpanish–American WarAmerican Civil WarList of United States Navy four-star admirals

1866–1941

The rank of admiral was created in 1866 to honor the Civil War achievements of David Farragut. Upon his death, another Civil War hero, David D. Porter Jr., succeeded to the title. In 1873, Congress stated that further vacancies in the grade would not be filled, and the rank lapsed with Porter's death in 1890. Congress revived the rank in 1899 to honor George Dewey, stipulating that the grade would again cease to exist upon his death or retirement. In 1903, Dewey was promoted to the unique rank of Admiral of the Navy, which during his lifetime was considered to be equivalent to an admiral of the fleet, but was later declared to be senior to the five-star grade of fleet admiral.

The Act of 3 March 1915, provided that the commanders in chief of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Asiatic Fleets would have the rank of admiral while so serving, and their seconds in command the rank of vice admiral. In 1916, the Chief of Naval Operations was also made an admiral while so serving, ranking next after the Admiral of the Navy. The ranks of admiral and vice admiral were strictly temporary appointments for the duration of an officer's tour in designated billets, and the temporary admiral reverted to his permanent grade of rear admiral immediately upon vacating the office bearing the title.

In 1917, Congress accommodated the Navy's desire to reorganize the fleet by authorizing the President to appoint three admirals and three vice admirals for any six fleet command positions. All fleet command tours lasted one year except for the commander in chief of the U.S. Fleet, whose term was sometimes renewed for a second year, and the commander in chief of the Asiatic Fleet, whose command was considered a backwater. (The Chief of Naval Operations was appointed for four years.) Officers would typically "fleet up" to admiral or vice admiral for their year of fleet command and then revert to rear admiral to mark time until mandatory retirement.

Charles P. Snyder (admiral)Harold R. StarkJames O. RichardsonThomas C. HartEdward C. KalbfusClaude C. BlochHarry E. YarnellArthur J. HepburnWilliam D. LeahyOrin G. MurfinHarris LaningFrank H. BrumbyFrank B. UphamJoseph M. ReevesDavid F. SellersWilliam H. StandleyLuke McNameeRichard H. LeighMontgomery M. TaylorFrank H. SchofieldJehu V. ChaseCharles B. McVay Jr.Louis M. NultonWilliam V. PrattLouis R. de SteiguerMark L. BristolHenry A. WileyRichard H. JacksonCharles F. HughesClarence S. WilliamsSamuel S. RobisonThomas WashingtonEdwin A. AndersonEdward W. EberleHilary P. JonesJoseph Strauss (admiral)Robert E. CoontzAlbert GleavesHugh RodmanHenry B. Wilson Jr.William S. SimsAustin M. KnightHenry T. MayoWilliam S. BensonWilliam B. CapertonCameron M. WinslowAlbert G. WinterhalterWalter C. CowlesThomas B. HowardFrank F. FletcherGeorge DeweyDavid Dixon PorterDavid FarragutWorld War IIWorld War ISpanish–American WarAmerican Civil WarList of United States Navy four-star admirals

1941–1991

Harry B. Harris, the first Asian-American four-star admiral, is pinned with his new rank on 16 October 2013 Promotion of Harry B. Harris Jr. to Admiral 131016-N-QF605-016.jpg
Harry B. Harris, the first Asian-American four-star admiral, is pinned with his new rank on 16 October 2013

During World War II, the President was authorized to create as many admirals and vice admirals as he deemed necessary for the duration of the emergency. Most of these new creations retired at the end of the war, having been promoted to reward service in the fleet or headquarters, or to achieve parity with wartime counterparts. Although three- and four-star ranks remained temporary appointments, the practice of reverting to a lower grade pending retirement largely halted after 1942, when Congress authorized officers to be retired in the highest grade in which they served on active duty. [32] The rank of fleet admiral was created in 1944, and the four officers promoted to that grade were allowed to remain on active duty permanently.

By 1956, the Navy had equilibrated at a total of seven permanent billets bearing four-star rank: the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO); the Vice Chief of Naval Operations (VCNO), the commanders in chief of the unified commands in the Pacific (CINCPAC) and Atlantic (CINCLANT); the commander in chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet (CINCPACFLT); the commander in chief of U.S. Naval Forces, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean (CINCNELM) (retitled commander in chief of U.S. Naval Forces Europe (CINCUSNAVEUR) in 1960); and the commander in chief of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces in Southern Europe (CINCSOUTH). In 1965, an eighth billet was added when the chief of naval material (CNM) was promoted to admiral. Occasionally this count would fluctuate when a Navy officer was selected as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), as the chairman's four-star representative to the NATO Military Committee (USMILREP), or as the director or deputy director of central intelligence; or by special legislation. [23]

When the long-serving director of the naval nuclear reactor program, Hyman G. Rickover, was finally compelled to retire in 1982, his successor was promoted to admiral and appointed director of naval nuclear propulsion, institutionalizing the position as a permanent four-star billet. To compensate, another four-star billet was eliminated by merging Allied Forces Southern Europe with U.S. Naval Forces Europe. Similarly, when the U.S. Atlantic Fleet commander (CINCLANTFLT) was separated from the Atlantic unified commander in 1985, the number of four-star billets was conserved by eliminating the chief of naval material position. The U.S. Atlantic Fleet was replaced by U.S. Fleet Forces Command (COMUSFF) in 2006.

Jerome L. JohnsonCharles R. LarsonJonathan T. HoweJames R. HoggBruce DeMarsLeon A. EdneyDavid E. JeremiahPowell F. Carter Jr.Huntington HardistyFrank B. Kelso IIArthur S. Moreau Jr.James B. Busey IVCarlisle A. H. TrostJames A. Lyons Jr.Lee Baggett Jr.Steven A. WhiteRonald J. HaysWesley L. McDonaldSylvester R. Foley Jr.Kinnaird R. McKeeGeorge E. R. Kinnear IIJohn G. Williams Jr.William N. SmallBobby R. InmanWilliam J. Crowe Jr.James D. WatkinsHarry D. Train IIAlfred J. Whittle Jr.Donald C. DavisRobert L. J. LongThomas B. HaywardDaniel Murphy (admiral)Stansfield TurnerDavid H. BagleyFrederick H. MichaelisJohn P. WeinelHarold E. ShearMeans Johnston Jr.Hyman G. RickoverWorth H. BagleyJames L. Holloway IIIMaurice F. WeisnerNoel A.M. GaylerRichard G. ColbertIsaac C. Kidd Jr.William F. BringleRalph W. CousinsJackson D. ArnoldCharles K. DuncanElmo R. Zumwalt Jr.Waldemar F. A. WendtBernard A. ClareyJohn J. Hyland Jr.Ephraim P. HolmesIgnatius J. GalantinJohn S. McCain Jr.Roy L. JohnsonAlfred G. WardJohn S. ThachHoracio Rivero Jr.Thomas H. MoorerU.S. Grant Sharp Jr.Charles D. GriffinDavid L. McDonaldClaude V. RickettsGeorge W. Anderson Jr.John H. SidesHarold Page SmithRobert L. DennisonCharles R. BrownJames S. RussellHerbert G. HopwoodJames L. Holloway Jr.Maurice E. CurtsHarry D. FeltWalter F. BooneRobert P. BriscoeArleigh A. BurkeJohn H. CassadyJerauld WrightFelix B. StumpDonald B. DuncanLynde D. McCormickRobert B. CarneyWilliam M. FechtelerForrest P. ShermanArthur W. RadfordLouis E. DenfeldWilliam H.P. BlandyRichard L. ConollyMarc A. MitscherBen MoreellCharles M. Cooke Jr.DeWitt C. RamseyJohn H. TowersSamuel M. RobinsonRichmond K. TurnerThomas C. KinkaidH. Kent HewittRichard S. Edwards Jr.Frederick J. HorneJonas H. IngramRaymond A. SpruanceWilliam F. Halsey Jr.Royal E. IngersollChester W. NimitzErnest J. KingHusband E. KimmelHarold R. StarkThomas C. HartWilliam D. LeahyGulf WarVietnam WarKorean WarCold WarWorld War IIList of United States Navy four-star admirals

1991–present

With the end of the Cold War, U.S. Atlantic Command was repurposed as the joint force trainer, becoming U.S. Joint Forces Command in 1999. The change in mission cost the Navy its traditional monopoly over that command, which has since rotated among all the services, but the Navy made up the difference through repeated appointments to other combatant commands and to the vice chairmanship of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (VJCS). All military commanders in chief were retitled "Commanders" in 2002, when the title of "Commander in Chief" was reserved solely to the President of the United States.

Alvin HolseyStephen KoehlerWilliam J. HoustonJames KilbyLisa FranchettiStuart B. MunschDaryl CaudleSamuel PaparoWilliam K. LescherCharles A. RichardMichael M. GildayRobert P. BurkeCraig S. FallerJohn C. AquilinoChristopher W. GradyJames G. Foggo IIIWilliam F. Moran (admiral)Kurt W. TiddJames F. Caldwell Jr.Scott H. SwiftPhilip S. DavidsonMichelle J. HowardMichael S. RogersHarry B. Harris Jr.John M. Richardson (admiral)William E. GortneyBruce W. ClinganCecil D. HaneyMark E. Ferguson IIIWilliam H. McRavenSamuel J. LocklearJames A. Winnefeld Jr.John C. Harvey Jr.Mark P. FitzgeraldJonathan W. GreenertEric T. OlsonPatrick M. WalshJames G. StavridisGary RougheadHenry G. Ulrich IIIRobert F. WillardKirkland H. DonaldTimothy J. KeatingJohn B. NathmanMichael MullenEdmund P. Giambastiani Jr.Walter F. DoranGregory G. JohnsonWilliam J. FallonRobert J. NatterThomas B. FargoVernon E. ClarkDennis Blair (U.S. Navy officer)James O. EllisCharles S. AbbotRichard W. MiesDonald L. PillingJ. Paul ReasonArchie R. CleminsHarold W. Gehman Jr.Frank BowmanThomas J. LopezJay L. JohnsonJoseph W. PrueherWilliam J. Flanagan Jr.Ronald J. ZlatoperRichard C. MackeLeighton W. Smith Jr.William A. OwensHenry G. Chiles Jr.Henry H. Mauz Jr.Stanley R. ArthurWilliam O. StudemanJeremy M. BoordaRobert J. KellyWilliam D. SmithPaul David MillerJerome L. JohnsonCharles R. LarsonJonathan T. HoweBruce DeMarsLeon A. EdneyDavid E. JeremiahFrank B. Kelso IIIraq WarWar in Afghanistan (2001–2021)List of United States Navy four-star admirals

Legislation

The following list of Congressional legislation includes major acts of Congress pertaining to appointments to the grade of admiral in the United States Navy.

LegislationCitationSummary
Act of July 25, 1866 14  Stat.   222
Act of March 2, 1899
Act of March 3, 1899		 30  Stat.   995
 30  Stat.   1045
  • Authorized 1 appointment of an Admiral of the Navy (George Dewey).
Act of March 3, 1915 38  Stat.   941
  • Authorized rank of admiral for officers designated as commander in chief of the United States Atlantic Fleet, United States Pacific Fleet, or Asiatic Fleet.
Act of August 29, 1916 39  Stat.   558
  • Increased rank of chief of naval operations to admiral, to rank next after the Admiral of the Navy.
Act of June 21, 1930 46  Stat.   793
Act of December 14, 1944 58  Stat.   802
Act of August 7, 1947

[Officer Personnel Act of 1947]

 61  Stat.   874
 61  Stat.   875
 61  Stat.   876
  • Authorized president to designate, subject to Senate confirmation, Navy officers on the active list to have the grade of admiral while commanding fleets, subdivisions of fleets, or naval units afloat organized to perform a special or unusual mission, or while performing any duty of great importance and responsibility.
  • Capped Navy officers on the active list in grades above rear admiral at 15 percent of the total number of flag officers authorized in the line of the Regular Navy, of whom not more than 8 to serve in the grade of admiral.
  • Authorized all Navy officers to retire with the rank but not the pay of the next higher grade if specially commended for performance of duty in actual combat on or before December 31, 1946 [repealed in 1959 (73  Stat.   337)].
Act of June 26, 1948 62  Stat.   1052
  • Authorized permanent grade of admiral and full active-duty pay and allowances in retirement for Raymond A. Spruance.
Act of November 16, 1973 87  Stat.   621
Act of December 12, 1980

[Defense Officer Personnel Management Act]

 94  Stat.   2844
 94  Stat.   2849
 94  Stat.   2876
  • Authorized president to designate positions of importance and responsibility to carry the grade of admiral, to be assigned from officers on active duty in any grade above captain, subject to Senate confirmation, who revert to their permanent grade at the end of their assignment unless it was terminated by
    1. assignment to another position designated to carry the same grade,
    2. up to 180 days of hospitalization, or
    3. up to 90 days prior to retirement [reduced to 60 days in 1991 (105  Stat.   1354)].
  • Capped, except during war or national emergency, Navy officers in grades above rear admiral at 15 percent of all flag officers on active duty, of whom not more than 25 percent to serve in the grade of admiral.
  • Authorized three- and four-star officers to retire in the highest grade held on active duty, at the discretion of the president and subject to confirmation by the Senate, with no time-in-grade requirement [changed in 1996 to certification by secretary of defense and three-year time-in-grade requirement (110  Stat.   292)].
Act of October 28, 2009 123  Stat.   2273
 123  Stat.   2276
  • Capped Navy officers in the grade of admiral at 6, exempting from caps up to 20 admirals assigned to joint duty [joint-duty cap repealed in 2016, effective December 31, 2022 (130  Stat.   2100), and lowered in 2021 to 19 (134  Stat.   3563)].

See also

Related Research Articles

In the United States Navy, officers have various ranks. Equivalency between services is by pay grade. United States Navy commissioned officer ranks have two distinct sets of rank insignia: On dress uniform a series of stripes similar to Commonwealth naval ranks are worn; on service khaki, working uniforms, and special uniform situations, the rank insignia are identical to the equivalent rank in the US Marine Corps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fleet admiral (United States)</span> Rank in the United States Navy

Fleet admiral is a five-star flag officer rank in the United States Navy whose rewards uniquely include active duty pay for life. Fleet admiral ranks immediately above admiral and is equivalent to General of the Army and General of the Air Force.

Admiral is a four-star commissioned officer rank in the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, and the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps 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 Service do not have an established grade above admiral. Admiral is equivalent to the rank of general in the other uniformed services. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps has never had an officer hold the grade of admiral. However, 37 U.S.C. § 201 of the U.S. Code established the grade for the NOAA Corps, in case a position is created that merits the four-star grade.

Commodore was an early title and later a rank in the United States Navy, United States Coast Guard and the Confederate States Navy, and also has been a rank in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps and its ancestor organizations. For over two centuries, the designation has been given varying levels of authority and formality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milton E. Miles</span> United States Navy admiral (1900–1961)

Milton Edward Miles was a Vice Admiral in the United States Navy, who served in World War II as head of Naval Intelligence operations in China, and later, joint commander of the Sino-American Special Technical Cooperative Organization (SACO).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eugene Parks Wilkinson</span> US Navy officer

Eugene Parks "Dennis" Wilkinson was a United States Navy officer. He was selected for three historic command assignments. The first, in 1954, was as the first commanding officer of USS Nautilus, the world's first nuclear-powered submarine. The second was as the first commanding officer of USS Long Beach, America's first nuclear surface ship. The third was in 1980 when he was chosen as the first President and CEO of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) from which he retired in 1984.

A tombstone promotion is an advance in rank awarded at retirement. It is often an honorary promotion that does not include any corresponding increase in retired pay, whose only benefit is the right to be addressed by the higher rank and have it engraved on one's tombstone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard H. Jackson</span>

Richard Harrison Jackson was a four-star admiral in the United States Navy. Originally cashiered from the Navy for poor grades at the U.S. Naval Academy, he was commissioned ensign by special act of Congress for his heroism during the 1889 Apia cyclone. He served as commander in chief of the Battle Fleet in 1926 and lived to be 105 years old.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Herbert F. Leary</span> American Vice admiral

Herbert Fairfax Leary was a highly decorated officer in the United States Navy with the rank of vice admiral. A son of Rear Admiral Richard P. Leary, he distinguished himself during World War I while on the staff of commander, U.S. Naval Forces in Europe under Admiral William Sims and received the Navy Cross, the United States Navy's second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Legislative history of United States four-star officers</span>

Although four-star officers appeared in organizations like the Continental Army before the United States of America was founded in 1776, the legislative history of four-star officers in the United States uniformed services began in 1799, when Congress authorized the grade of General of the Armies of the United States for former president George Washington, who was commanding the forces being raised for the Quasi-War with France as a lieutenant general but died without being promoted.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Legislative history of United States four-star officers, 1899–1946</span>

From 1899, when the Navy's Civil War-era four-star grade was recreated after the Spanish-American War, through 1947, when the Officer Personnel Act defined the post-World War II military establishment, four-star grades evolved along two parallel tracks, one decorative and one functional.

References

  1. 1 2 Dates of rank are taken, where available, from the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, or from the U.S. Navy register of active and retired commissioned officers, or from the World Almanac and Book of Facts . The date listed is that of the officer's first promotion to admiral, and may differ from the officer's entry in the U.S. Navy register, which lists admirals who reverted to their permanent ranks of rear admiral as ranking from the date of the legislation that ultimately restored them to the rank of admiral, not from the dates of their original appointments.
  2. 1 2 Positions listed are those held by the officer when promoted to admiral. Dates listed are for the officer's full tenure, which may predate promotion to four-star rank or postdate retirement from active duty.
  3. 1 2 The number of years of active-duty service at four-star rank is approximated by subtracting the year in the "Date of rank" column from the last year in the "Position" column. Time spent between active-duty four-star assignments is not counted, nor is time spent on special duty as an unassigned fleet admiral.
  4. 1 2 3 The year commissioned is taken to be the year the officer graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, or equivalent, which may precede the officer's actual date of commission by up to two years. Prior to 1912, graduates of the U.S. Naval Academy were required by law to serve two years at sea as passed midshipmen before receiving their commission as ensign. Sources of commission are listed in parentheses after the year of commission and include: the United States Naval Academy (USNA), Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC), Officer Candidate School (OCS), warrant; the Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA), and the United States Military Academy (USMA).
  5. 1 2 The number of years in commission before being promoted to four-star rank is approximated by subtracting the year in the "Commission" column from the year in the "Date of rank" column.
  6. 1 2 Notes include years of birth and death; awards of the Medal of Honor, Congressional Gold Medal, Presidential Medal of Freedom, or honors of similar significance; major government appointments; university presidencies or equivalents; familial relationships with other four-star officers or significant government officials such as U.S. Presidents, cabinet secretaries, U.S. Senators, or state governors; and unusual career events such as premature relief or death in office.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 Reverted to permanent rank of rear admiral upon vacating an office bearing the temporary rank of admiral.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Advanced to admiral on the retired list with date of rank 21 Jun 1930, as highest grade held during World War I.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 Commissioned as ensign after two years of sea duty.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Advanced to admiral on the retired list with date of rank 16 Jun 1942, as highest rank held on the active list.
  11. 1 2 Advanced to admiral on the retired list with date of rank 14 Aug 1938, as highest rank held while Chief of Naval Operations.
  12. ↑ Retired as rear admiral, 1 Jan 1937; advanced to admiral on the retired list, 14 Aug 1938; recalled as admiral, 13 Feb 1941; retired, 11 Feb 1942; recalled as admiral, 12 Apr 1944; retired, 31 Aug 1945.
  13. ↑ Retired as rear admiral, Dec 1936; recalled as rear admiral, 13 May 1940; advanced to vice admiral on the retired list, 23 Feb 1942; advanced to admiral on the retired list, 16 Jun 1942; retired, Dec 1946.
  14. ↑ Retired as admiral, Aug 1939; recalled as admiral, 6 Jul 1942; promoted to fleet admiral, 15 Dec 1944; rank made permanent, 13 May 1946 (Act of 23 Mar 1946).
  15. ↑ Retired as rear admiral, 1939; recalled as rear admiral, 1941; advanced to vice admiral on the retired list, 23 Feb 1942; advanced to admiral on the retired list, 16 Jun 1942; retired, 15 Jan 1943; recalled as admiral, 23 Jun 1943; retired, 15 Jan 1945.
  16. 1 2 3 Retired as admiral, as highest rank held on active list.
  17. ↑ Retired as admiral, Jul 1942, by Act of Congress; recalled as admiral, Jul 1942; retired, Feb 1945.
  18. ↑ Promoted to admiral, 1947, with date of rank Jan 1946.
  19. 1 2 Reverted to vice admiral for final tour; retired as admiral.
  20. ↑ Reverted to vice admiral for final tour; died in office.
  21. ↑ Retired as vice admiral, 1964; retained on active duty until 1982; advanced to admiral on the retired list, 3 Dec 1973, with date of rank 16 Nov 1973.
  22. ↑ Nomination as U.S. Secretary of Defense withdrawn, 1994.
  23. 1 2 In 1994, special legislation authorized Charles R. Larson to resume the superintendency of the U.S. Naval Academy, then a two-star billet, as a full admiral.
  24. ↑ Nomination as commander in chief, U.S. Pacific Command (USCINCPAC) withdrawn, 1994.
  25. ↑ Transferred from U.S. Merchant Marine, 1967.
  26. ↑ Nomination as U.S. Ambassador to Australia withdrawn, 2018.
  27. ↑ Nomination as Chief of Naval Operations confirmed, May 2019; retired prior to assumption of post.
  28. ↑ First nomination as commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (CDRUSINDOPACOM) returned to the President, 2021.
  29. ↑ Retired as vice admiral, Dec 1946; advanced to admiral on the retired list by reason of combat citation, Jan 1954.
  30. ↑ "US People--Struble, Arthur D". Archived from the original on 24 December 2010. Retrieved 16 November 2008. Struble entered the U.S. Naval Academy in 1911 and received his commission in 1915.
  31. ↑ Transferred from U.S. Naval Reserve, 1921.
  32. ↑ Act of Congress of 16 July 1942.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.