Vincent P . de Poix Vincent Paul de Poix ( August 13 , 1916 – February 3 , 2015 ) was a vice admiral in the United States Navy . He began his career as a naval aviator and fighting in World War II aboard USS " Enterprise " ( CV - 6 ) . A graduate of the United States Naval Academy , he became the first captain of the newly commissioned USS " Enterprise " ( CVN - 65 ) in November 1961 . He later participated in the Vietnam War , and commanded the United States Second Fleet . He was Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency from August 1972 to September 1974 . Early life and education . De Poix was born in Los Angeles , California , on August 13 , 1916 . He attended Lafayette College , Easton , Pennsylvania , prior to entering the U . S . Naval Academy , where he graduated with distinction in 1939 . He was trained as a naval aviator at NAS Pensacola . In March 1944 , he began ordnance engineering ( aviation ) instruction at the Naval Postgraduate School , Annapolis , Maryland . In August 1946 , the admiral attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at Cambridge Massachusetts , and received a master of science degree in aeronautical engineering . In 1959 - 1960 , he studied nuclear power operations , receiving certification in 1960 . From 1963 - 64 , the admiral attended the National War College , Washington , D . C . Career . After being commissioned an ensign on 1 June 1939 , De Poix joined the USS Minneapolis ( CA - 36 ) ; then , a year later , the USS Sicard ( DM - 21 ) . After naval aviator training , he was attached to the Advance Carrier Training Group , San Diego , California . From June 1942 to August 1943 , he served in the South Pacific ; this time frame included tours with Fighter Squadron 6 ( VF - 6 ) on board the USS Enterprise ( CV - 6 ) and the USS Saratoga ( CV - 3 ) , along with a shore based tour on Guadalcanal , and subsequent operations in the Solomon Islands campaign . Subsequent assignments included a tour with the Aviation Fire Control Unit at the Naval Ordnance Test Station , Inyokern , California . From January 1948 to June 1950 , he was commander of Fighter Squadron 172 ( VF - 172 ) based in Florida . From 1950 to 1952 , he served with the Bureau of Ordnance Research and Development Division Aviation Ordnance Branch , Washington , D . C . From 1952 , he served as aviation readiness and aviation ordnance officer for the commander - in - chief , U . S . Pacific Fleet . He served in leadership positions in the Naval Operation Office Guided Missiles Division until June 1957 , when he assumed command of Air Development Squadron 4 ( VX - 4 ) , Point Mugu , California . In March 1959 , he became commanding officer of the seaplane tender USS " Albemarle " , which was followed by training with the Atomic Energy Commission Reactor Development Division Office of the Assistant Director for Naval Reactors . In September 1960 , he was ordered to duty as prospective commanding officer of the USS " Enterprise " CVA ( N ) - 65 ( later redesignated CVN - 65 ) . Launched on 24 September 1960 , she was at the time the largest naval warship ever constructed and was the world ' s first nuclear - powered aircraft carrier . When the vessel was commissioned on 25 November 1961 , De Poix became her first captain . In July 1963 , he was detached for instruction at the National War College , Washington , D . C . De Poix was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in 1964 , followed by a tour as assistant director for administration and management in Defense Research and Engineering , and as assistant director of operational test and evaluation . In August 1966 , he reported as commander Carrier Division 7 , bound for Vietnam . In September 1967 , De Poix became assistant deputy chief of naval operations ( Development ) , and then in February 1969 , Deputy Director of Defense Research and Engineering ( Administration , Evaluation and Management ) , Office of the Secretary of Defense . In August 1971 , he assumed command of the Second Fleet . Defense Intelligence Agency . De Poix reported as deputy director of the Defense Intelligence Agency in July 1972 , and became director the next month . De Poix continued the reorganization of the Agency begun by his predecessor , General Bennett . Streamlining the organization had become critical since severe manpower cutbacks had taken a major toll on the agency . DIA manpower had been cut by one third after Vietnam . By 1973 , nearly all elements had been consolidated and realigned . In September 1972 , Secretary of State William Rogers said that the US and the Soviet Union were moving away from a world of containment to one of engagement . Yet even though relations warmed into a period of détente , the need for defense intelligence did not diminish . Such intelligence was an intrinsic component of military strength , and , as President Nixon reiterated in the spring of 1973 , the US had to remain militarily strong if negotiations with communist nations were to be successful . President Nixon met with much success in foreign affairs , but quite the reverse in domestic issues . While some of his diplomatic and military decisions — in the latter case , for example , over how and when to end American involvement in Indochina — were controversial , nothing so undermined Americans ' confidence in the executive as the Watergate break - in and the President ' s complicity in the cover - up . As the intelligence community was tied into the executive branch , that distrust tainted the public ' s perception of that community . Furthermore , many Americans believed that the intelligence community had itself engaged in some improper — if not illegal — actions abroad ( there were suspicions about CIA involvement in the September 1973 Chilean coup ) . This meant that De Poix faced the challenge of steering DIA through some hostile waters . The fourth major Arab - Israeli conflict , the Yom Kippur or October War , commenced on 6 October 1973 . The massive attacks launched by Syria and Egypt had caught the Israelis unprepared , and was seen as a major intelligence failure for both the United States and Israel . In the post - Watergate controversy surrounding American intelligence activities , DIA and its director answered detractors by remaining focused on providing quality products to national policy makers . The agency ' s reputation grew as its products were increasingly perceived throughout the government as valuable to the decision - making process . The agency was able to do this even while suffering from a personnel shortage , something which was of major concern at the 1972 Williamsburg Conference . Conference participants considered DIA resource decrements , while emphasizing technology and an upgrade of the National Military Intelligence Center ( NMIC ) . The general counsel function was also added . The agency ' s analysts wrestled with varied and numerous issues between the summer of 1972 , when de Poix came on board , and the fall of 1974 . They studied Lebanon , China ( to aid in the normalizing of relations ) , the formation of Sri Lanka , and , of course , Salvador Allende ' s regime in Chile . The Agency also had analysts dedicated to the task of resolving Vietnam POW / MIA issues . They faced the intelligence challenges associated with maintaining détente , establishing arms control agreements ( such as the SALT II talks in 1974 ) , and the Paris Peace Accords ( Vietnam ) . Other issues of note were global energy concerns ( such as the petroleum shortages that led to long gas lines ) , and troubles throughout Africa . These and other world events brought greater emphasis on DIA products by decision makers . President Gerald Ford wanted continuity in foreign affairs , so he promised Congress in August 1974 he would continue to try to improve relations with the Soviet Union and China . Defense intelligence would continue to play a role in forming US policies and in negotiations . DIA and its director , De Poix , had managed not only to maintain continuity of operations during these critical years , but also improve DIA ' s performance . One area of particular emphasis during De Poix ' s leadership at DIA was the upgrading of the agency ' s human intelligence capability , accomplished by enhancing the effectiveness of the Defense Attaché System . Post - military career . Subsequent to retirement from the Navy , de Poix was associated for ten years with Teledyne , Inc in positions as company president and group executive . De Poix died on February 3 , 2015 at the age of 98 . Awards , decorations and badges . Military Decorations Unit Awards Badges National Non - Military Awards