Patrick M. Walsh

U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Patrick M. Walsh was the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet and Commander, Combined Maritime Forces until February 27, 2007 when he was relieved by Vice Adm. Kevin J. Cosgriff in a ceremony outside 5th Fleet headquarters in Manama, Bahrain. On September 20, 2006 Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld announced that Vice Adm. Walsh was nominated by the President for appointment to the grade of admiral and assignment as vice chief of naval operations, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Vice Adm. Walsh graduated with honors from Jesuit College Preparatory in Dallas, Texas, 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 United States Naval Academy in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree.

After designation as a Naval Aviator, Vice Adm. Walsh began operational flying with the "Golden Dragons" of Attack Squadron One Nine Two, deployed to the Indian Ocean in USS America (CV-66), earned a Master of Arts degree, and was later selected by Commander, Light Attack Wing Pacific, the Junior Officer/Tailhook Pilot of the Year. He then reported to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Five 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, Vice Adm. Walsh joined the "Golden Warriors" of Strike-Fighter Squadron Eight Seven as the Operations Officer and flew combat missions in support of Operations Desert Storm and Provide Comfort from USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71).

Vice Adm. Walsh commanded the “Gunslingers” of Strike-Fighter Squadron One Zero Five for missions in support of Operations Southern Watch and Deny Flight from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). He commanded Carrier Air Wing One for deployment in support of Operation Southern Watch aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67). He also commanded Carrier Group Seven/USS John C. Stennis Strike Group for a deployment to the western Pacific Ocean.

Vice Adm. 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. 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. Vice Adm. 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 the Ph.D. degree. His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (4), Meritorious Service Medal (2), Air Medal w/ Combat V, Strike/Flight Medal (5), Navy Commendation Medal (3) w/ Combat V, Navy Achievement Medal, Presidential Service Badge, Distinguished Service Medal and various service medals.