Michelle Howard

Vice Chief of Naval Operations, United States Navy[10]

What is Michelle Howard known for?

Admiral Michelle Janine Howard, born on April 30, 1960, at the March Air Force Base in California, is a highly celebrated and distinguished figure in the United States Navy. A 1978 graduate from Gateway High School in Aurora, Colorado, she later graduated from the United States Naval Academy, marking the start of an illustrious naval career.

Howard has a long history of serving her country and breaking barriers. She became the first African-American woman to command a United States Navy ship, the USS Rushmore. Achieving yet another first, she was the first to reach two- and three-star rank, setting a precedent for future African-American women in the Navy. In 2006, Howard became the first admiral selected from the United States Naval Academy class of 1982, additionally being the first female graduate of the Academy to reach flag rank.

In 2014, Howard achieved an unprecedented accomplishment, becoming the Vice Chief of Naval Operations, the second highest ranking officer in the Navy. Upon this promotion, she made history once more as the highest-ranking woman and the first female four-star admiral in United States Naval history. Howard didn't stop there, she became the first female four-star admiral to command operational forces when she assumed command of United States Naval Forces Europe and Naval Forces Africa.

After nearly 36 years of dedicated service in the United States Navy, Admiral Howard retired on December 1, 2017. Her dedication to service and leadership did not stop there. In 2021, she was appointed to The Naming Commission, a congressional commission created to rename U.S. military assets and locations with names associated with the Confederate States of America (CSA). She was sworn in as its chair in March of that year.

Famed for her leadership, courage, and groundbreaking career, Howard has been awarded numerous medals, including two Defense Distinguished Service Medals, two Navy Distinguished Service Medals, two Defense Superior Service Medals, three Legion of Merits, four Navy Commendation Medals, and the Navy Achievement Medal.