Vice Chief of Naval Operations

Vice Chief Of Naval Operations
Incumbent
Admiral Michelle J. Howard

since July 1, 2014
Formation 26 March 1942
First holder Frederick J. Horne

The Vice Chief of Naval Operations (VCNO) is the second highest-ranking commissioned officer in the United States Navy. In the event that the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) is absent or is unable to perform their duties, the VCNO assumes the duties and responsibilities of the CNO. The VCNO may also perform other duties that the CNO assigns to them. The VCNO is appointed by the President of the United States, and must be confirmed via majority vote by the Senate.[1] By statute, the VCNO is appointed as a four-star admiral.

This position was called Assistant for Operations in 1915, and Assistant Chief of Naval Operations in 1922. In 1942 the title became Vice Chief of Naval Operations.[2] The current VCNO is Admiral Michelle J. Howard. Previous VCNOs include:

Vice Chief of Naval Operations Tenure
1 VADM (ADM) Frederick J. Horne 26 March 1942  2 September 1945
2 ADM Richard S. Edwards Jr. 1945–1946
3 ADM DeWitt Clinton Ramsey 15 January 1946  3 January 1948
4 ADM Arthur W. Radford January 1948  May 1949
5 ADM John D. Price 1949–1950
6 ADM Lynde D. McCormick 1950–1951
7 ADM Donald B. Duncan 1951–1956
8 ADM Harry D. Felt 1956–1958
9 ADM James S. Russell 21 July 1958  September 1961
10 ADM Claude V. Ricketts 25 September 1961  6 July 1964
11 ADM Horacio Rivero, Jr. July 1964  January 1968
12 ADM Bernard A. Clarey January 1968  December 1970
13 ADM Ralph W. Cousins 1970–1972
14 ADM Maurice F. Weisner 1972–1973
15 ADM James L. Holloway III September 1973  1974
16 ADM Worth H. Bagley June 1974 - July 1975
17 ADM Harold E. Shear 1975–1977
18 ADM Robert L. J. Long July 1977  April 1979
19 ADM James D. Watkins April 1979  1981
20 ADM William N. Small 1981–1983
21 ADM Ronald J. Hays 1983–1985
22 ADM James B. Busey IV September 1985  1987
23 ADM Huntington Hardisty 1987–1988
24 ADM Leon A. Edney August 1988  May 1990
25 ADM Jerome L. Johnson May 1990  July 1992
26 ADM Stanley R. Arthur 6 July 1992  1995
27 ADM Joseph W. Prueher April 1995  1996
28 ADM Jay L. Johnson April 1996  August 1996
29 ADM Harold W. Gehman, Jr. September 1996  September 1997
30 ADM Donald L. Pilling October 1997  October 2000
31 ADM William J. Fallon October 2000  August 2003
32 ADM Michael G. Mullen August 2003  August 2004
33 ADM John B. Nathman August 2004  February 2005
34 ADM Robert F. Willard 18 March 2005  5 April 2007
35 ADM Patrick M. Walsh 5 April 2007  13 August 2009
36 ADM Jonathan W. Greenert 13 August 2009  22 August 2011
37 ADM Mark E. Ferguson III 22 August 2011  1 July 2014
38 ADM Michelle J. Howard 1 July 2014  present

See also

References

  1. "10 USC 5035. Vice Chief of Naval Operations". Retrieved 6 November 2007.
  2. "Vice Chief of Naval Operations". Lists of Commanding Officers and Senior Officials of the U.S. Navy. Naval Historical Center. Retrieved 1 July 2014.