Arthur Stanley Moreau Jr. (June 3, 1931 – December 8, 1986) was a United States Navy

four-star admiral Military star ranking is military terminology, used to describe general and flag officers. Within NATO's armed forces, the stars are equal to OF-6–10. Star ranking One–star A one–star rank is usually the lowest ranking general or flag ...

who served as commander-in-chief, United States Naval Forces Europe and commander-in-chief,

Allied Forces Southern Europe Allied Joint Force Command Naples (JFC Naples) is a NATO military command based in Lago Patria, in the Metropolitan City of Naples, Italy. It was activated on 15 March 2004, after effectively redesigning its predecessor command, Allied Forces Sou ...

from 1985 until his death in 1986.Adm. Arthur S. Moreau Jr. Dies; Led U.S. Naval Force in Europe
''Los Angeles Times'', December 14, 1986.Associated Press

December 9, 1986.

Early life

Moreau was born on June 3, 1931, in Mount Rainier, Maryland. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1953.

Naval career

Moreau served as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Plans, Policy and Operation, and as commander-in-chief of

U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay Naval Base Subic Bay was a major ship-repair, supply, and rest and recreation facility of the Spanish Navy and subsequently the United States Navy located in Zambales, Philippines. The base was 262 square miles, about the size of Singapore. Th ...

in the Philippines. From May 1983 to October 1985, Moreau served as assistant to the

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) is the presiding officer of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). The chairman is the highest-ranking and most senior military officer in the United States Armed Forces Chairman: app ...

. According to journalist Seymour Hersh, Moreau oversaw a team which coordinated more than 30 covert missions against drug traffickers, terrorists and Soviet spies. The team was staffed mostly by naval officers. Missions were authorised by then Vice President

George H. W. Bush George Herbert Walker BushSince around 2000, he has been usually called George H. W. Bush, Bush Senior, Bush 41 or Bush the Elder to distinguish him from his eldest son, George W. Bush, who served as the 43rd president from 2001 to 2009; pr ...

and used Delta Force and the United States Marine Corps as operators, bypassing the CIA. In September 1985, Moreau was appointed commander-in-chief of the United States Naval Forces Europe and

. He took command in November 1985. In this position, Moreau oversaw the largest of the four military regions under

Allied Command Europe An alliance is a relationship among people, groups, or states that have joined together for mutual benefit or to achieve some common purpose, whether or not explicit agreement has been worked out among them. Members of an alliance are called ...

, with an area of responsibility including Italy, Greece, Turkey, the Black Sea, and the Mediterranean, and including United States Sixth Fleet and U.S. Naval Activities, United Kingdom. On December 8, 1986, Moreau died of a heart attack at a military hospital in Naples, Italy, at the age of 55, while still on active duty. Navy officials were reportedly shocked at Moreau's death. Admiral

James B. Busey IV James Buchanan Busey IV (born October 7, 1932) is a former American government official and retired four-star admiral of the United States Navy. He served as Vice Chief of Naval Operations, from 1985 to 1987 and as Commander in Chief, United Sta ...

was appointed to replace Moreau.Associated Press
New NATO Navy Commander
March 30, 1987. Moreau was survived by a wife and five children.

Notes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Moreau, Arthur Stanley, Jr. 1931 births 1986 deaths United States Navy personnel of the Vietnam War Burials at Arlington National Cemetery People from Mount Rainier, Maryland Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal Recipients of the Legion of Merit Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal United States Naval Academy alumni United States Navy admirals