Patrick M. Walsh

Admiral, U.S. Navy

Patrick M. Walsh was born on 13 January 1955.

Walsh graduated with honors from Jesuit College Preparatory in Dallas, TX, 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 U.S. Naval Academy in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree.

After designation as a Naval Aviator, 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.

In April 2007, Walsh was promoted to the four-star rank of Admiral and began serving as Vice Chief of Naval Operations (VCNO) until 2009. On 3 February 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. He then served as Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMPACFLT), from 2009-2012.

Admiral Walsh retired from the Navy in 2012.

Medals and Awards

Navy Distinguished Service Medal (3 Awards)
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (4 Awards)
Meritorious Service Medal (2 Awards)
Air Medal (with Combat Valor Device, 1 Service Star and Strike/Flight Numeral 5)
Navy Commendation Medal with Combat Valor Device and 2 Award Stars
Navy Achievement Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Navy Unit Commendation
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with 1 Service Star
Navy "E" Ribbon with 2 Battle E Devices
Navy Expeditionary Medal
National Defense Service Medal with 1 Service Star
Southwest Asia Service Medal with 3 Service Stars
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 3 Service Stars
Navy Overseas Service Ribbon
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun (Japan, 1st Class. Kyokujitsu-Daijusho)
Order of National Security Merit Ton-il Medal (Republic of Korea)

Badges

Naval Aviator Insignia
Presidential Service Badge
Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

Education

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 Ph.D.