Samuel J. Locklear
| Samuel J. Locklear III | |
|---|---|
Locklear in March 2012
|
|
| Born |
October 28, 1954 Macon, Georgia, U.S. |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy
|
| Years of service | 1972–1973 1977–2015 |
| Rank |
 Admiral
|
| Commands held |
U.S. Pacific Command U.S. Naval Forces Europe - U.S. Naval Forces Africa Allied Joint Force Command Naples Director, Navy Staff U.S. Third Fleet |
| Battles/wars |
Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation Odyssey Dawn (Libya) |
| Awards |
Defense Distinguished Service Medal (2) Navy Distinguished Service Medal (2) Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (5) Bronze Star Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia (Australia) |
Samuel Jones "Sam" Locklear III, (born October 28, 1954) is a former United States Navy admiral who last served as the commander of the U.S. Pacific Command from March 9, 2012, to May 27, 2015. Prior to that, he served as Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe - U.S. Naval Forces Africa and NATO's Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples. Prior to that, he served as Director, Navy Staff from July 2009 to October 2010. He retired from the Navy on July 1, 2015, after 39 years of service.
Locklear enlisted in the Navy in March 1972 at the age of 17. His basic training and active service was placed on hold when he was accepted into the United States Naval Academy after graduating from high school in 1973. Locklear graduated from the Naval Academy in 1977, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in operations analysis.
After receiving his commission as an ensign, he served aboard USS William V. Pratt as Main Propulsion Assistant and Missile Fire Control Officer. He was then selected for training and service in the Navy Nuclear Propulsion program, and served as Electrical Principal Assistant in USS Carl Vinson. Graduating with "Top Gun" honors from the Surface Warfare Department Head School, he served as Operations Officer and Engineering Officer in USS Callaghan, and as Executive Officer in USS Truxtun. Subsequently, he commanded USS Leftwich and served as Commander, Destroyer Squadron 2 deploying with the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Battle Group. In October 2002, he assumed command of Cruiser-Destroyer Group 5 and Nimitz Strike Group deploying to the Persian Gulf in 2003 in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
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