Michelle Howard

Michelle Howard
Born (1960-04-30) April 30, 1960 (age 64)
March Air Force Base, California, U.S.
Allegiance United States
Service / branch United States Navy
Years of service1982–2017
RankAdmiral
CommandsVice Chief of Naval Operations
United States Naval Forces Europe - Naval Forces Africa
Allied Joint Force Command Naples
Combined Task Force 151
Expeditionary Strike Group Two
Amphibious Squadron 7
Task Force Two Zero
USS Rushmore
Battles / warsGulf War
AwardsDefense Distinguished Service Medal
Navy Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Defense Superior Service Medal (2)
Legion of Merit (3)
Meritorious Service Medal
Navy Commendation Medal (4)
Navy Achievement Medal
Spouse(s)Wayne Cowles[1]

Michelle Janine Howard (born April 30, 1960) is a retired United States Navy four-star admiral who last served as the commander of the United States Naval Forces Europe, United States Naval Forces Africa and Allied Joint Force Command Naples. She previously was the 38th Vice Chief of Naval Operations. She assumed her last assignment on June 7, 2016.[2]

Howard achieved many historical firsts throughout her naval career. She was the first African-American woman to command a United States Navy ship,[3] USS Rushmore,[4] and the first to achieve two- and three-star rank. In 2006, she was selected for the rank of rear admiral (lower half),[5] making her the first admiral selected from the United States Naval Academy class of 1982 and the first female graduate of the United States Naval Academy selected for flag rank. On July 1, 2014, Howard was appointed Vice Chief of Naval Operations, the second highest-ranking officer in the Navy.

Upon her swearing in, Howard became the highest-ranking woman (until the swearing in of Lisa Franchetti) and first female four-star admiral in United States Naval history.[6][7] Howard also became the first female four-star admiral to command operational forces, when she assumed command of United States Naval Forces Europe and Naval Forces Africa. Howard retired on December 1, 2017, after nearly 36 years of service in the United States Navy.

In 2021, Howard was appointed to The Naming Commission, a congressional commission created to rename U.S. military assets and locations with names associated with the Confederate States of America (CSA), and was sworn in as its chair in March.[8][9]

  1. ^ Lerman, David; Walcott, John (December 20, 2013). "Black Woman Named to a Top U.S. Navy Job Says Wimps Fail". Bloomberg Politics. Bloomberg, L.P. Archived from the original on December 29, 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  2. ^ "Une femme noire amiral à la tête du commandement militaire de l'Otan à Naples". www.45enord.ca (in French). Agence France-Presse. June 7, 2016. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  3. ^ "US Navy Biography – Michelle Howard". US Navy. Archived from the original on October 22, 2017. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  4. ^ "Navy Celebrates 2014 African American/Black History Month". US Navy. Archived from the original on July 13, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2014. Vice Adm. Michelle Howard is recognized for many first accomplishments, including the recognition as the first female United States Naval Academy graduate to be promoted to the rank of admiral, the first black female to command a combatant ship, and the first black female promoted to two-star and three-star admiral. She has also been confirmed by the Senate to serve as Vice Chief of Naval Operations, the service's No. 2 uniformed officer. She will be the first black and first woman to hold the job and the first female four-star admiral.
  5. ^ "Flag Officer Announcements". Defense.gov. May 4, 2006. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  6. ^ Lamothe, Dan (July 1, 2014). "Adm. Michelle Howard becomes first four-star woman in Navy history". The Washington Post. Washington, DC US. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
  7. ^ Bahrampour, Tara (September 17, 2014). "Meet the Highest-Ranking Woman in U.S. Naval History". Glamour. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference Austin_CSA commission was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Lundquist, Edward (June 10, 2021). "Commission Examines Assets that Honor the Confederacy, Will Suggest Name Changes". Retrieved January 17, 2022.