Brian Eugene "Lex" Luther (born 1962) is a
rear admiral
Rear admiral is a senior naval flag officer rank, equivalent to a major general and air vice marshal and above that of a commodore and captain, but below that of a vice admiral. It is regarded as a two star " admiral" rank. It is often rega ...
in the
United States Navy
The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...
.
Luther is a native of
Trumbull, Connecticut
Trumbull is a town located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It borders on the cities of Bridgeport and Shelton and the towns of Stratford, Fairfield, Easton and Monroe. The population was 36,827 during the 2020 census. Trum ...
.
He graduated from
Marquette University
Marquette University () is a private Jesuit research university in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Established by the Society of Jesus as Marquette College on August 28, 1881, it was founded by John Martin Henni, the first Bishop of the diocese of ...
and
George Mason University
George Mason University (George Mason, Mason, or GMU) is a public research university in Fairfax County, Virginia with an independent City of Fairfax, Virginia postal address in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area. The university was origin ...
.
Career
After serving in the
War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
War in Afghanistan, Afghan war, or Afghan civil war may refer to:
* Conquest of Afghanistan by Alexander the Great (330 BC – 327 BC)
* Muslim conquests of Afghanistan (637–709)
*Conquest of Afghanistan by the Mongol Empire (13th century), see ...
, Luther commanded the on her final deployment. Later, he became commander of the , commanding the ship on her maiden deployment in 2011.
Previously, Luther served in
The Pentagon
The Pentagon is the headquarters building of the United States Department of Defense. It was constructed on an accelerated schedule during World War II. As a symbol of the U.S. military, the phrase ''The Pentagon'' is often used as a metony ...
during the
Gulf War
The Gulf War was a 1990–1991 armed campaign waged by a 35-country military coalition in response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Spearheaded by the United States, the coalition's efforts against Iraq were carried out in two key phases: ...
. Additionally, he has been assigned to the
and the
Chief of Naval Operations
The chief of naval operations (CNO) is the professional head of the United States Navy. The position is a statutory office () held by an admiral who is a military adviser and deputy to the secretary of the Navy. In a separate capacity as a memb ...
. He also served as XO of The USS Nimitz CVN 68.
Awards he has received include the
Defense Superior Service Medal
The Defense Superior Service Medal (DSSM) is a military decoration of the United States Department of Defense, which is presented to United States Armed Forces service members who perform superior meritorious service in a position of significant ...
, the
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The decoration is issued to members of the eight u ...
, the
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal (BSM) is a United States Armed Forces decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone.
W ...
and the
Meritorious Service Medal A Meritorious Service Medal is an award presented to denote acts of meritorious service, and sometimes gallantry, that are worthy of recognition. Notable medals with similar names include:
* Meritorious Civilian Service Award
*Meritorious Service Me ...
.
Rear Adm. Brian Luther is a native of Trumbull, Connecticut. He is a 1984 graduate of Marquette University of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.
Luther commanded the Scouts of
Sea Control Squadron (VS) 24, which participated in Operation Enduring Freedom and was awarded the Battle "E", Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Safety "S" and the Golden Anchor retention excellence award. He commanded for her final deployment where her crew earned the Department of the Navy Safety Award, the Admiral Flatley Memorial Award for Aviation Safety, Battle "E" and Golden Anchor. He commanded for her maiden deployment where her crew earned the Battenberg Cup as the best all-around ship in the U.S. Atlantic fleet, the "Jig Dog" Ramage award for excellence in carrier operations, the Admiral Flatley Award, Battle "E" and Golden Anchor. He most recently served as commander,
Carrier Strike Group 2.
Prior to squadron command, his afloat tours included service as a pilot and air wing staff officer aboard various aircraft carriers on the east coast. Following nuclear power training, Luther served as the executive officer of the USS Nimitz (CVN 68).
Ashore, Luther was introduced to the Pentagon as a Joint Staff intern (J6K) and watchstander in the National Military Command Center during Operation Desert Storm, followed by assignments as the tactical air analyst for the Director, Strike and Amphibious Warfare Division (OP-74) on the staff of the chief of naval operations and program analyst at the S-3 Class Desk, Naval Air Systems Command. Luther later served two tours on the staff of the assistant secretary of the Navy, Financial Management and Comptroller as a budget analyst and as assistant director, Office of Budget. He also served as congressional liaison to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) and as the Chief of Naval Operations director for Operations and Plans (N31).
Luther's awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and various campaign, unit and service awards including the Sea Control Wing Atlantic Pilot of the Year. In addition, he was recognized as the honor graduate for his MBA program. He has flown over 3,400 flight hours and has accumulated 825 carrier landings.
References
External links
Rear Admiral Brian Luther''Last Updated: 20 August 2020''
{{DEFAULTSORT:Luther, Brian
1962 births
Living people
Place of birth missing (living people)
People from Trumbull, Connecticut
Marquette University alumni
United States Naval Aviators
George Mason University alumni
United States Navy personnel of the Gulf War
United States Navy personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Recipients of the Legion of Merit
United States Navy admirals
Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal