Albert J . Herberger Albert J . Herberger ( born c . 1933 ) is a Vice Admiral of the United States Navy , and the first United States Merchant Marine Academy graduate to attain the rank . Early life . Albert J . Herberger was born in Albany , New York . He was commissioned an ensign upon graduation from the U . S . Merchant Marine Academy , Kings Point , New York , in February 1955 . He sailed in the Merchant Marine with both Grace Line and United States Lines . Admiral Herberger is married to the former Rosemary Blair of Albany , N . Y . The Herbergers have four children : Jeffrey , Mary - Terese , Bethann , and Jon . United States Navy . His early duty was aboard the patrol boat , and the cable repair ship . Herberger then graduated with Class One from the Navy ' s Destroyer School and began his service in destroyers as Operations Officer aboard . He completed the engineering science curriculum at the Naval Postgraduate School , Monterey , California , in June 1965 and next served with the Naval Advisory Group , Military Assistance Command , Republic of Vietnam , as advisor to the Vietnamese Navy River Force and later as senior advisor to the Vietnamese Navy . After duty as Executive Officer of he assumed command of in April 1968 . Herberger was Director of Training at the Navy Officer Candidate School , Newport , Rhode Island , during 1969 - 71 , before commanding . After an assignment as Surface Commander Detailer with the Bureau of Naval Personnel , he became Executive Assistant to the Chief of Naval Personnel for Officer Deployment and Distribution in 1974 . Herberger served as Commander , Destroyer Squadron 25 from September 1975 to April 1978 , and in July 1978 became Deputy Director of the Total Force Management Control and Analysis Division in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations ( Manpower , Personnel and Training ) . From December 1979 to March 1981 , Herberger served as the Executive Assistant and Naval Aide to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy ( Manpower , Reserve Affairs and Logistics ) . He assumed flag rank and duty as the Assistant Commander for Distribution , Naval Military Personnel Command in April 1981 . From June 1982 until May 1985 , he was Director , Military Personnel Policy Division in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations . Herberger served as Commander , Cruiser - Destroyer Group 2 from June 1985 until July 1986 . This group , based at Charleston , South Carolina , consisted of 42 surface ships ranging from cruisers and destroyers to ammunition ships , minesweepers and fleet support activities . From August 1986 , he was assigned as the Director for Logistics on the staff of the Commander in Chief , U . S . Atlantic Fleet , and in May 1987 assumed additional duties as Deputy Commander in Chief and Chief of Staff , Atlantic Fleet . From September 1987 to February 1990 he served as Deputy Commander in Chief , Transportation Command , Scott Air Force Base , Illinois . In April 1989 , Admiral Herberger received the " Old Salt " award trophy from the Surface Navy Association which recognized that he was then the longest - serving Surface Warfare Officer qualified Officer of the Deck on active duty . For his military and civilian service he has received numerous awards including : The Defense Distinguished Service Medal ; the Legion of Merit with four gold stars : the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service : the 1996 Navy League of the United States Vincent T Hirsh Maritime Award ; the 1996 Admiral of the Ocean Seas Award and the National Defense Transportation Association Distinguished Government Service Award . In 1993 he was named Kings Pointer of the Year by USMMA Alumni Association . Maritime Administration . After retirement Herberger served as Administrator of the Maritime Administration ( MARAD ) of the Department of Transportation from 1993 until 1997 . For his service , as the Maritime Administrator , he has received numerous awards including :