Forrestal Lecture Series

The Nimitz Library maintains a web page devoted to resources having to do with each Forrestal guest speaker and topic. You can access this page here

The expenses of the Forrestal Lecture Series are supported in part by a generous endowment established by the Class of 1946 and administered by the United States Naval Academy Foundation.

            Nominations

Upcoming Forrestal Lecture

Admiral Patrick Walsh, Vice Chief of Naval Operations

Admiral Patrick M. Walsh graduated with honors from Jesuit College Preparatory in Dallas, Texas, and was the second student in the 60 year history of the school to receive both the Distinguished Graduate and Distinguished Alumnus awards. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree.

As a Naval Aviator, Adm. Walsh began operational flying with the "Golden Dragons" of Attack Squadron 192, deployed to the Indian Ocean aboard USS America (CV 66), and was later selected by Commander, Light Attack Wing Pacific, as the Junior Officer/Tailhook Pilot of the Year. He then reported to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 5 as an Operational Test Director until selection to the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, “Blue Angels,” where he flew the Left Wingman and Slot Pilot positions. When he returned to the fleet, Adm. Walsh joined the "Golden Warriors" of Strike-Fighter Squadron 87 as the Operations Officer and flew combat missions in support of Operations Desert Storm and Provide Comfort from USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).

Adm. Walsh commanded the “Gunslingers” of Strike-Fighter Squadron 105 for missions in support of Operations Southern Watch and Deny Flight from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). He commanded Carrier Air Wing 1 for deployment in support of Operation Southern Watch aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67), and Carrier Group 7/USS John C. Stennis Strike Group for a deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. Most recently, he commanded U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet, while also commanding the Combined Maritime Forces conducting Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and maritime security operations in the Central Command area of responsibility.

Adm. Walsh has been a Special Assistant to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget as a White House Fellow. He chaired the Department of Leadership, Ethics and Law at the U.S. Naval Academy, served as the Executive Assistant to the Chief of Naval Personnel, and reported to the Joint Staff for his first flag assignment as the Deputy Director for Strategy and Policy, (J-5). He also served concurrently as the Director, Navy Quadrennial Defense Review and Director, Navy Programming Division. He attended graduate studies in the International Relations curriculum at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, as part of the Admiral Arthur S. Moreau Scholarship Program. Adm. Walsh graduated first in his class and received a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy degree, entered the Doctorate Program with distinction and subsequently received a Ph.D.

His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (4), Meritorious Service Medal (2), Air Medal w/ Combat V, Strike/Flight Medal (5), Navy Commendation Medal (3) w/ Combat V, Navy Achievement Medal, Presidential Service Badge, and various other awards.