# William N. Small

William Newell Small (February 22, 1927 – December 9, 2016) was a four star admiral in the United States Navy who served as Vice Chief of Naval Operations and Commander in Chief, NATO Allied Forces Southern Europe and United States Naval Forces Europe.

## Early life and education

Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on February 22, 1927, Small graduated from Malvern High School at the age of 15, attending Admiral Farragut Military Academy in Pine Beach, New Jersey until he was old enough to receive his appointment to the United States Naval Academy, class of 1948. He later completed the Command and Staff Course at the Naval War College in 1962.

## Naval career

Small served as Executive Officer of USS Forrestal (CV 59) and as Commanding officer of Fighter Attack Squadron Four Two (VA-42), Fighter Attack Squadron Six Five (VA-65), and USS Independence (CV 62). As a Flag Officer, he served as Commander Carrier Division 3, Pacific from 1975 to 1976; and Commander United States Sixth Fleet.
Small was Vice Chief of Naval Operations from 1981 to 1983 and Commander in Chief, United States Naval Forces Europe/Commander in Chief, Allied Forces Southern Europe from 1983 to 1985.
The Arkansas Aviation Historical Society inducted Small into the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame in 1992. He died on December 9, 2016, at the age of 89.

## Decorations and medals

Naval Aviator Badge :
| 1st Row | Navy Distinguished Service Medal with one gold award star | Navy Distinguished Service Medal with one gold award star | Navy Distinguished Service Medal with one gold award star | Navy Distinguished Service Medal with one gold award star | Navy Distinguished Service Medal with one gold award star | Navy Distinguished Service Medal with one gold award star | Legion of Merit with award star | Legion of Merit with award star | Legion of Merit with award star | Legion of Merit with award star | Legion of Merit with award star | Legion of Merit with award star |
| 2nd row | Air Medal | Air Medal | Air Medal | Air Medal | Joint Service Commendation Medal | Joint Service Commendation Medal | Joint Service Commendation Medal | Joint Service Commendation Medal | Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with award star | Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with award star | Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with award star | Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with award star |
| 3rd row | Air Force Commendation Medal | Air Force Commendation Medal | Air Force Commendation Medal | Air Force Commendation Medal | Navy Presidential Unit Citation with one bronze service star | Navy Presidential Unit Citation with one bronze service star | Navy Presidential Unit Citation with one bronze service star | Navy Presidential Unit Citation with one bronze service star | Navy Unit Commendation | Navy Unit Commendation | Navy Unit Commendation | Navy Unit Commendation |
| 4th row | Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation | Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation | Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation | Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation | Navy Expeditionary Medal | Navy Expeditionary Medal | Navy Expeditionary Medal | Navy Expeditionary Medal | China Service Medal | China Service Medal | China Service Medal | China Service Medal |
| 5th row | American Campaign Medal | American Campaign Medal | American Campaign Medal | American Campaign Medal | World War II Victory Medal | World War II Victory Medal | World War II Victory Medal | World War II Victory Medal | Navy Occupation Service Medal | Navy Occupation Service Medal | Navy Occupation Service Medal | Navy Occupation Service Medal |
| 6th Row | National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star | National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star | National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star | National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star | Korean Service Medal with three service stars | Korean Service Medal with three service stars | Korean Service Medal with three service stars | Korean Service Medal with three service stars | Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal | Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal | Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal | Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal |
| 7th Row | Vietnam Service Medal with three service stars | Vietnam Service Medal with three service stars | Vietnam Service Medal with three service stars | Vietnam Service Medal with three service stars | Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon | Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon | Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon | Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon | Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation | Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation | Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation | Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation |
| 7th row | Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation | Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation | Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation | Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation | United Nations Korea Medal | United Nations Korea Medal | United Nations Korea Medal | United Nations Korea Medal | Vietnam Campaign Medal | Vietnam Campaign Medal | Vietnam Campaign Medal | Vietnam Campaign Medal |