Michelle Howard | |
---|---|
Born | March Air Force Base, California, U.S. | April 30, 1960
Allegiance | United States |
Service | United States Navy |
Years of service | 1982–2017 |
Rank | Admiral |
Commands | Vice 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 / wars | Gulf War |
Awards | Defense 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]
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.
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