The Naval War College Distinguished Graduate leadership Award was established in 1996 by the Trustees of the

Naval War College Foundation The Naval War College Foundation was established in 1969 and chartered under the tax laws of the United States as a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable corporation in the state of Rhode Island to provide private financial support for the activities of t ...

to honor United States Naval War College graduates who have attained positions of prominence in the field of national security.

Criteria

The criteria for selection of the Distinguished Graduate include attainment of a position of senior leadership in government service, career accomplishments which are inspiring to Naval War College students, and an expressed interest in professional military education. His graduation from the Naval War College and exemplary service in the United States Army are marks of professionalism which this award is intended to recognize.

Award Recipients

*1996: General

John M. Shalikashvili John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second E ...

, USA, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff *1997: Admiral Joseph W. Prueher, USN, Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Command *1998: Admiral

Robert E. Kramek Robert Edward Kramek (December 15, 1939 – October 20, 2016) was an admiral of the United States Coast Guard who served as the 20th commandant from 1994 to 1998. During his tenure as commandant, he successfully led the service through difficul ...

, USCG, Commandant of the USCG *1999: General Charles E. Wilhelm, USMC, Commander, U.S. Southern Command *2000: Admiral Robert J. Natter, USN, Commander, U.S. Atlantic Fleet *2001: Admiral

William J. Fallon 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 ...

, USN, Vice Chief of Naval Operations *2002: Colonel

Charles J. Precourt Charles Joseph Precourt (born June 29, 1955) is a retired NASA astronaut. His career in flight began at an early age, and spans his entire lifetime. He served in the US Air Force, piloted numerous jet aircraft, and piloted and commanded the Spac ...

, Chief of NASA’s Astronaut Corps *2003: Admiral

Gregory G. Johnson Admiral Gregory Gordon Johnson (born July 11, 1946) is a retired United States Navy admiral and former commander of United States Naval Forces Europe and Allied Forces Southern Europe. Naval career Johnson is from Westmanland, Maine. He attende ...

, USN, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe/Commander, Allied Forces, Southern Europe *2004: General Michael W. Hagee, USMC, Commandant, United States Marine Corps *2005:

Christopher R. Hill Christopher Robert Hill (born August 10, 1952) is an American diplomat who is United States Ambassador to Serbia. Previously, he was professor at George W. Ball adjunct Columbia University in the City of New York, the Chief Advisor to the Chancel ...

, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs *2006: Vice Admiral David L. Brewer III, USN, Commander, Military Sealift Command *2007: Admiral

James G. Stavridis James George Stavridis (born February 15, 1955) is a retired United States Navy admiral, currently Vice Chair, Global Affairs and Managing Director of the global investment firm the Carlyle Group, and Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Rocke ...

, USN, Commander, U.S. Southern Command *2008: General

James E. Cartwright James Edward "Hoss" Cartwright (born September 22, 1949) is a retired United States Marine Corps four-star general who last served as the eighth vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from August 31, 2007, to August 3, 2011. He previously se ...

, USMC, Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff *2009: General

Raymond T. Odierno Raymond Thomas Odierno (8 September 1954 – 8 October 2021) was an American military officer who served as a four-star general of the United States Army and as the 38th chief of staff of the Army. Prior to his service as chief of staff, Odiern ...

, USA, U.S. Forces - Iraq *2010: Admiral Robert J. Papp, Jr., Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard *2011: Doctor Clifford L. Stanley, USMC (ret.), Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness *2012: Admiral

James A. Winnefeld, Jr. Sandy Winnefeld (born James Alexander Winnefeld Jr.; April 24, 1956) is a retired United States Navy admiral who serves as the chair of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board since May 4, 2022. While on active duty, Winnefeld served as the ...

, USN, Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

References

U.S. Naval War College official website
Naval War College 1996 establishments in the United States Awards established in 1996