Richard Willard Mies

Admiral, U.S. Navy

Richard Willard Mies was born on 30 May 1944 in Chicago, IL.

Admiral Mies graduated first in his class from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science degree with majors in Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics.

After completing training for submarine duty, he served on two nuclear attack submarines, USS Sunfish (SSN-649) and USS L. Mendel Rivers (SSN-686), and a ballistic missile submarine, USS Nathan Hale (SSBN-623) (BLUE), before commanding the nuclear attack submarine USS Sea Devil (SSN-664).

He has served in various command positions including Commander, Submarine Development Squadron Twelve; Commander, Submarine Group Eight; and Commander, Submarine Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet. His staff positions include, Chief of Staff to Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet; and Director, Strategic Target Plans and Deputy Director, Plans and Policy on the staff of Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Strategic Command.

On 1 August 1998, Mies was promoted to the four-star rank of Admiral and assigned as the fourth Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Strategic Command, located at Offutt AFB, NE.

Admiral Mies retired from the Navy in 2001. He is a qualified Submarine Warfare Officer and Naval Aviation Observer.

Admiral Mies has completed post-graduate education at Oxford University, England, the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and Harvard University. He holds a Master's degree in Government Administration and International Relations.

Medals and Awards

Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal (2 Awards)
Legion of Merit (4 Awards)
National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (2 Awards)
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4 Awards)
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal

Badges

Submarine Warfare Officer Insignia
Naval Aviation Observer Insignia

Honors

Secretary of Energy Gold Medal