William J. Fallon | |
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ADM William J. Fallon, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
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Nickname(s) | "Fox" |
Born |
East Orange, New Jersey |
December 30, 1944
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/branch | United States Navy |
Years of service | 1967–2008 |
Rank | Admiral (O-10) |
Commands held |
U.S. Central Command U.S. Pacific Command U.S. Fleet Forces Command Vice Chief of Naval Operations U.S. 2nd Fleet Theodore Roosevelt Battle Group Attack Squadron Sixty Five |
Battles/wars |
Vietnam War Operation Desert Storm Operation Deliberate Force (Bosnia) Operation Iraqi Freedom |
Awards |
Defense Distinguished Service Medal (2) Navy Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (4) Bronze Star Meritorious Service Medal (3) Air Medal (2) with Combat V and bronze strike/flight numeral 3 Navy Commendation Medal (2) with Combat V Navy Achievement Medal |
William Joseph Fallon (born December 30, 1944) is a retired United States Navy four-star admiral who retired after serving for over 41 years. His last military assignment was as Commander, U.S. Central Command from March 2007 to March 2008. ADM Fallon was the first Navy officer to hold that position. His other four-star assignments include Commander, U.S. Pacific Command from February 2005 to March 2007, Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command from October 2003 to February 2005, and 31st Vice Chief of Naval Operations from October 2000 to August 2003. On March 11, 2008, he announced his resignation from CENTCOM and retirement from active duty, citing administrative complications caused in part by an article in Esquire Magazine, which described him as the only thing standing between the Bush Administration and war with Iran.
Fallon was born in East Orange, New Jersey and raised in Merchantville, New Jersey. He earned a diploma from Camden Catholic High School in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. A 1967 graduate of Villanova University, he received his commission through the Navy ROTC Program and was designated a Naval Flight Officer upon completion of flight training in December 1967.
Fallon is a graduate of the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, and the National War College in Washington, D.C. He holds a Master of Arts Degree in International Studies from Old Dominion University. Admiral Fallon was awarded the Naval War College Distinguished Graduate Leadership Award in 2001 and granted an honorary Doctor of Military Science degree by his alma mater, Villanova University, on May 17, 2009.