# Michael M. Gilday

Michael Martin Gilday (born October 10, 1962) is a retired United States Navy officer who last served as the 32nd chief of naval operations from August 22, 2019 to August 14, 2023. Gilday commanded two destroyers, served as Director of the Joint Staff, commanded the Tenth Fleet/Fleet Cyber Command, and led Carrier Strike Group 8.

## Early life and education

Gilday was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, and is a 1985 graduate of the United States Naval Academy as a surface warfare officer. He has also graduated with masters degrees from the Harvard Kennedy School and the National War College of National Defense University. His wife's name is Linda and she is an engineer and program manager.

## Career

Gilday's previous tours include duty with USS Chandler, USS Princeton, executive officer of USS Gettysburg as well as commanding the USS Higgins and USS Benfold and Destroyer Squadron 7. He also had staff assignments on the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Chief of Naval Operation (Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate) and staff to the vice chief of naval operations. His joint assignments include Naval Aide to the President and executive assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Gilday was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with Valor for his actions aboard Princeton when the ship was damaged by an Iraqi mine during the Persian Gulf War.
As a flag officer, Gilday served as Director of Operations for NATO's Joint Force Command in Lisbon and Director of Operations for United States Cyber Command. He assumed the duties of Commander, Fleet Cyber Command and United States Tenth Fleet on July 14, 2016, was appointed Director of Operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff in May 2018, and became Director of the Joint Staff from March 1, 2019.
On July 11, 2019, Gilday was nominated for appointment as the next chief of naval operations (CNO). On August 1, the United States Senate voted unanimously to award Gilday a fourth star following the Senate Armed Services Committee's recommendation that he succeed Admiral John M. Richardson as CNO in September 2019.
On April 15, 2020, Gilday announced the Navy was considering reinstating Brett Crozier, earlier fired in relation to his controversial response to coronavirus disease on the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt. Gilday and the acting United States Secretary of the Navy, James E. McPherson, recommended that Crozier be reinstated as captain of the Roosevelt on April 25, 2020.
On August 10, 2020, Gilday was running on the Washington Navy Yard base, where he lives, when he "fell ill". Gilday was assisted by a passing Marine, and was taken to his physician. He underwent heart surgery for a pre-existing condition about two weeks later. He returned to work full-time on September 28.
His term as chief of naval operations ended on August 14, 2023.

## Awards and decorations

Surface Warfare Officer Pin :
| Defense Distinguished Service Medal | Defense Distinguished Service Medal | Defense Distinguished Service Medal | Navy Distinguished Service Medal | Navy Distinguished Service Medal | Navy Distinguished Service Medal |
| Defense Superior Service Medal w/ 3 bronze oak leaf clusters | Defense Superior Service Medal w/ 3 bronze oak leaf clusters | Legion of Merit w/ 2 gold award stars | Legion of Merit w/ 2 gold award stars | Bronze Star Medal | Bronze Star Medal |
| Defense Meritorious Service Medal | Defense Meritorious Service Medal | Meritorious Service Medal w/ 2 award stars | Meritorious Service Medal w/ 2 award stars | Joint Service Commendation Medal | Joint Service Commendation Medal |
| Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ "V" device and 2 award stars | Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ "V" device and 2 award stars | Joint Service Achievement Medal | Joint Service Achievement Medal | Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/ 1 award star | Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/ 1 award star |
| Combat Action Ribbon | Combat Action Ribbon | Joint Meritorious Unit Award w/ 3 oak leaf clusters | Joint Meritorious Unit Award w/ 3 oak leaf clusters | Navy Unit Commendation w/ 1 bronze service star | Navy Unit Commendation w/ 1 bronze service star |
| Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation w/ 1 silver service star | Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation w/ 1 silver service star | Navy "E" Ribbon with wreathed Battle E device | Navy "E" Ribbon with wreathed Battle E device | National Defense Service Medal with service star | National Defense Service Medal with service star |
| Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with 4 service stars | Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with 4 service stars | Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 service stars | Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 service stars | Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal | Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal |
| Global War on Terrorism Service Medal | Global War on Terrorism Service Medal | Humanitarian Service Medal | Humanitarian Service Medal | Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ 1 silver service star | Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ 1 silver service star |
| Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon | Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon | Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun | Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun | Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) | Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) |
| Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) | Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) | Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon with Sharpshooter Device | Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon with Sharpshooter Device | Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal | Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal |
| Command at Sea insignia ||||||
| Joint Chiefs of Staff Badge ||||||
| Presidential Service Badge ||||||