Paul E . Tobin , Jr . Rear Admiral Paul Edward Tobin , Jr . ( born c . 1941 ) , United States Navy , served as Oceanographer of the Navy from 1996 to 1998 and Director of Naval History from 2005 to 2008 . Early life and education . Paul Tobin attended Lawrenceville School and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1963 . Rear Admiral Tobin is married to Lynne Carter Tobin from Shaker Heights , Ohio , and they have two daughters . Naval career . Following graduation from the Naval Academy , Tobin reported to USS " Towers " ( DDG - 9 ) where he served as First Lieutenant and Main Propulsion assistant . After graduating with distinction from the Naval Destroyer School in 1966 , he was assigned as Engineer Officer in USS " Davis " ( DD - 937 ) , where he was awarded a Bronze Star for operations associated with the salvage of USS " Liberty " ( AGTR - 5 ) after that ship sustained heavy combat damage in the Six - Day War or 1967 Arab - Israeli War . In 1968 , he commenced postgraduate studies at the Naval Postgraduate School , which culminated in a Master of Science degree in computer systems management . In 1970 , he joined the staff of Naval Destroyer School in Newport , Rhode Island , as head of the Technical Training Branch and as an engineering instructor in the Department Head and Prospective Commanding Officer and Prospective Executive Officer Departments . Tobin reported as Aide and Flag Secretary to the Commander , Naval Forces Vietnam , in 1971 . He returned to sea duty in 1973 as Executive Officer in USS " Koelsch " ( FF - 1049 ) . Upon completing this tour , he reported as Aide and Flag Lieutenant to the President of the Naval War College and subsequently graduated with distinction from the Naval Command and Staff course . In 1976 , he reported to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and served in the Systems Analysis Division ( OP - 96 ) In 1979 , he assumed command of USS " Tattnall " ( DDG - 19 ) , where he completed two Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf deployments . In 1981 , he reported as Chief Engineer in USS " Forrestal " ( CV - 59 ) , where he served for two years and participated in the 1981 Gulf of Sidra operations , two Mediterranean deployments and the initial phase of the Carrier Service Life Extension Program . In 1984 , he graduated with distinction from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington , D . C . In September 1984 , he assumed command of USS " Fox " ( CG - 33 ) in San Diego , California . During this tour he completed a deployment to the Western Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean . He assumed command of the Surface Warfare Officers School Command , Newport , Rhode Island , in July 1986 . In October 1988 , he assumed duties as Director , Department of the Navy Information Resources Management , and Director , Information Management Support Division ( OP - 945 ) . He also served as Director , Naval Communication / Information Systems . In August 1990 , he assumed command of Naval Surface Group , Western Pacific , Task Force 73 , and Task Force 75 . In this capacity he oversaw the reorganization of naval surface forces in the Western Pacific . He then assumed the duties as Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel , Personal Readiness and Community Support ( Pers - 6 ) in September 1992 . In June 1994 , Rear Admiral Tobin assumed his duties as Vice Chief of Naval Education and Training . His final assignment was Oceanographer of the Navy ( 1996 – 1998 ) . Post active - duty career . After retiring from active duty in 1998 , Rear Admiral Tobin became the Executive Director of the Educational Foundation of the Armed Forces Communications Electronics Association ( AFCEA ) in Fairfax , Virginia . On 25 July 2005 , he became the eleventh Director of Naval History and Director , Naval Historical Center . Decorations and awards . Rear Admiral Tobin ’ s personal Awards include : Two Distinguished Service Medal s , four Legion of Merit medals , the Bronze Star , the Meritorious Service Medal , and three Navy Commendation Medal s .