Samuel Jones Locklear III

Admiral, U.S. Navy

Samuel Jones Locklear III is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy in the Class of 1977. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Operations Analysis and, after receiving his commission as an Ensign, he served aboard USS William V. Pratt as Main Propulsion Assistant and Missile Fire Control Officer.

He was then selected for training and service in the Navy Nuclear Propulsion program, and served as Electrical Principal Assistant in USS Carl Vinson. Graduating with "Top Gun" honors from the Surface Warfare Department Head School, he served as Operations Officer and Engineering Officer in USS Callaghan, and as Executive Officer in USS Truxtun. Subsequently, he commanded USS Leftwich and served as Commander, Destroyer Squadron 2 deploying with the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Battle Group. In October 2002, he assumed command of Cruiser-Destroyer Group 5 and Nimitz Strike Group deploying to the Persian Gulf in 2003 in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Ashore, Locklear has served as a Company Officer in the Office of the Commandant, U.S. Naval Academy and later as the 78th Commandant of Midshipmen. In Washington, DC, he served as Chief of the Regional Engagement and Presence Joint Warfare Capabilities Assessment Branch in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as Executive Assistant to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations, and as Deputy Director for Requirements in the Assessment Division (N81D). In February 2004, he returned to the OPNAV Staff as Deputy Director for Surface Warfare (N76B), and in October 2004, he became the Director of the Assessment Division (N81). In October 2005 he became the Director of the Programming Division (N80). From May 2007 to July 2009, he served as Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, and from July 2009 as Director, Navy Staff (N09B).

On 6 October 2010, Locklear was promoted to the four-star rank of Admiral and assigned as Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe (COMUSNAVEUR); Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa (COMUSNAVAF); and Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples (COMJFC Naples), where he currently serves. As of March, 2011, he was commanding U.S. Navy forces enforcing the Libyan no-fly zone, with overall command going to General Carter Ham.

Admiral Locklear assumed his last assignment as Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, on 9 March 2012. He retired in June 2015.

Medals and Awards

Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (5 Awards)
Bronze Star Medal
Navy Meritorious Service Medal (4 Awards)
Navy Commendation Medal (2 Awards)
Navy Achievement Medal (3 Awards)
Navy Unit Commendation
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with One Bronze Star
Navy "E" Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal with Two Service Stars
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal with One Bronze Service Star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with One Silver Service Star
Navy & Marine Overseas Service Ribbon
NATO Meritorious Service Medal
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

Badges

Surface Warfare Officer Badge
United States Pacific Command Badge

Education

Admiral Locklear is a 1992 graduate of the National Defense Industrial College of the Armed Forces, holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the George Washington University, and attended the Senior Officials in National Security course at the Maxwell School of Syracuse University.