Earl Bealle Fowler, Jr.

Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy

Earl Bealle Fowler, Jr. was born on 29 September 1925 in Jacksonville, FL.

Fowler entered the U.S. Navy in 1943, serving in Pearl Harbor, HI; San Francisco, CA; and Charleston, SC. His sea service included tours on board the destroyer USS Leary, the aircraft carriers USS Wright and USS Ranger, and the submarine USS Columbia.

He graduated from Georgia Tech University in 1946 and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1949 and obtained degrees in both Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. He completed Harvard University's Advanced Management Program later in his career.

From 1976 to 1980, he served as Commander of Naval Electronics Systems Command, responsible for communications, radar, surveillance operations and space command systems.

From 1980-85, he served as Commander of Naval Sea Systems Command, in charge of over 100,000 military and civilian personnel, with an annual budget of 20 billion dollars. He was a key figure in helping to create a 600-ship Navy during the 1980s, as part of President Ronald Reagan's modernization program and strategic buildup of U.S. military forces. As Commander of Naval Sea Systems he was responsible for the oversight of eight naval shipyard and repair facilities, procurement of all Navy combat and support ships, and all shipboard tactical weapon systems.

Fowler retired from the Navy in 1985 as a Vice Admiral after 42 years of military service.

Medals and Awards

Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit

In Retirement

Fowler served as a director and consultant to several companies in the private sector.

He died at sea following a fatal heart attack at the age of 82.

Death and Burial

Vice Admiral Earl Bealle Fowler, Jr. died at sea on 8 February 2008 while on a cruise with his wife of 60 years off the coast of South America. He was 82. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.