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First Name: John

Last Name: Nathman

Birthplace: San Antonio, TX, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Navy (present)

Rating:

Middle Name: B.



Date of Birth: 11 April 1948



Rank or Rate: Admiral

Years Served: 1970-2007
John B. Nathman

   
Graduate, U.S. Naval Academy, Class of 1970

Biography:

John B. Nathman

Admiral, U.S. Navy

John B. Nathman was born on 11 April 1948 in San Antonio, TX. He graduated with distinction from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1970. In 1972, he was designated as a Naval Aviator, receiving the Naval Training Command's Outstanding Pilot Graduate Award while also completing a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering.

Nathman served in a variety of sea, shore and joint assignments, and flown over 40 different types of aircraft during his career. At sea, he flew the F-4 Phantom with Fighter Squadron Two Thirteen (VF 213) and the F-14 Tomcat with Fighter Squadron Fifty-One (VF 51). He also commanded Strike Fighter Squadron One Thirty-Two (VFA 132), leading his squadron in the first F/A-18 combat sorties against Libya in 1986. Nathman reported to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in 1987 as Executive Officer, and subsequently assumed command of USS La Salle (AGF-3), the flagship for Commander, Middle East Force, during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Nathman returned to the Nimitz as its Commanding Officer from 1992-94.

Ashore, Nathman was assigned to the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards AFB, CA, graduating with distinction in 1976. He served at Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), and oversaw the advanced tactical training of the school's naval aviators. From 1982-84, Nathman was the senior naval test pilot flying all project aircraft with the 4477th Test and Evaluation Squadron at Nellis AFB, NE. During this time, he flew 61 missions in MiG-21s and 52 missions in MiG-23s as "Bandit #29."

Flag Officer Assignments

Upon his selection to flag rank in 1994, Nathman served on the NATO staff of Commander, Allied Forces Southern Europe (AF SOUTH), and as Director of Logistics for Commander, NATO Implementation Force (IFOR) during its first out-of-area deployment to Bosnia. In 1996, he commanded Carrier Group Seven, NIMITZ Carrier Strike Group and Battle Force FIFTY in the Persian Gulf. Nathman subsequently served as Director, Air Warfare, on the Chief of Naval Operations staff in Washington, DC. In August 2000, he took command of Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet and was designated Commander, Naval Air Forces in October 2001. In August 2002, Nathman was assigned as the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfare Requirements and Programs (N6/N7) at the Pentagon.

On 1 December 2004, Nathman was promoted to the four-star rank of Admiral and served as the 33rd Vice Chief of Naval Operations. He was assigned as Commander, Fleet Forces Command (COMFLTFORCOM) and Commander, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (COMLANTFLT) in February 2005. In 2006 he was named Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (COMUSFLTFORCOM) and served until 2007.

Admiral Nathman retired from the Navy in 2007.

Medals and Awards

Navy Distinguished Service Medal (3 Awards)
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (4 Awards)
Bronze Star Medal with Combat "Valor" Device
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (3 Awards)
Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "Valor" Device (2 Awards)
Air Force Achievement Medal

Badges

Naval Aviator Insignia
Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge



Honoree ID: 611   Created by: MHOH

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