Patrick M . Walsh Patrick Michael Walsh ( born January 13 , 1955 ) , is a former United States Navy four - star admiral who last served as the 59th Commander of the U . S . Pacific Fleet from September 25 , 2009 to January 20 , 2012 . He served as the 35th Vice Chief of Naval Operations from April 2007 to August 13 , 2009 , and as Commander of the U . S . Naval Forces Central Command and Commander , U . S . 5th Fleet from October 2005 to February 27 , 2007 . He retired from the Navy with over 34 years of service . Biography . Education . Walsh graduated with honors from Jesuit College Preparatory in Dallas , Texas , and was the second student in the sixty - 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 . 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 . 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 PhD United States Navy career . After designation as a Naval Aviator , Walsh began operational flying with the " Golden Dragons " of Attack Squadron 192 , deployed to the Indian Ocean aboard the USS " America " 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 , 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 the USS " Theodore Roosevelt " . Walsh commanded the “ Gunslingers ” of Strike - Fighter Squadron 105 for missions in support of Operations " Southern Watch " and " Deny Flight " from the USS " Dwight D . Eisenhower " . He commanded Carrier Air Wing 1 for deployment in support of Operation " Southern Watch " aboard the USS " John F . Kennedy " . He also commanded Carrier Group Seven of the 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 . Walsh was 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 . On February 3 , 2009 , Secretary of Defense Robert Gates selected Walsh to conduct a 30 - day review of operations at the U . S . detention center at Guantanamo Bay , Cuba , following President Barack Obama ' s order that the detention center be closed within one year . Awards and decorations . His awards and decorations include : Non - U . S . decorations . Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun ( Japan , 1st class , Kyokujitsu - Daijusho ( 旭日大綬章 ) )