Mark P. Fitzgerald
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| Mark P. Fitzgerald | |
|---|---|
 VADM Mark P. Fitzgerald |
|
| Place of birth | Winchester, Massachusetts |
| Allegiance | U.S. Navy |
| Rank | Vice Admiral |
| Commands | 2nd Fleet |
| Battles/wars | Operation Desert Storm |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross V device (2) Bronze Star Air Medal |
Vice Admiral Mark P. Fitzgerald is the Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet as of 2006.
He was born in Winchester, Massachusetts, and graduated from Northeastern University, Boston in June 1973. He was designated a Naval Aviator in October 1975.
Vice Admiral Fitzgerald flew the A-7E Corsair II with now retired RAdm Bert Johnston during sea assignments in VA-195 (1976-79), Carrier Air Wing 17 (1982-84), and VA-105 (1985-88) embarked in Kitty Hawk, America, and Forrestal. He commanded the VA-46 "Clansmen” (1990-1991) in John F. Kennedy, deploying with four days notice for Operation Desert Shield. He led the first Navy strike on Baghdad during the opening hour of Operation Desert Storm.
During his career, Vice Admiral Fitzgerald was assigned as Deputy Commander, Joint Air Force Component Commander for Provide Promise Yugoslav Operations and Assistant Commander for Deny Flight NATO operations (1993). He assumed command of Carrier Air Wing 14 (1994-95) while deployed to the Persian Gulf in Carl Vinson supporting Operation Southern Watch. Vice Admiral Fitzgerald’s shore tours include VA-174 Landing Signal Officer (1979-82), Naval Maritime Intelligence Center, SPEAR (1991-92), and Executive Assistant to the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (1996-98). He holds a Masters Degree in Aeronautical Systems Engineering from the University of West Florida (1975) and attended the Naval War College, Newport, R.I. (1983-84).
Selected for flag rank in September 1998, Vice Admiral Fitzgerald’s first flag assignment was Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and commanded Joint Task Force Determined Response in Aden, Yemen (2000). Assuming command of Carrier Group Eight (2001), he deployed with Theodore Roosevelt Battle Group during Operation Enduring Freedom (2001-2002). He served as Director, Air Warfare and then as Director, Naval Warfare (2003–2004). He assumed his current position as Commander, Second Fleet/Commander, Striking Fleet Atlantic in October 2004.
Vice Admiral Fitzgerald’s awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (4 awards), Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat V (2 awards), Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2 Awards), Air Medals, and numerous individual, Campaign and Unit awards. He has logged over 4800 flight hours and has made over 1100 carrier arrested landings from the decks of thirteen aircraft carriers.
This article contains information from the United States Federal Government and is in the public domain.
