The Naval History Symposium is fortunate to have received generous financial assistance from the McMullen Seapower Fund.

From chairing the New Jersey Devils hockey team to founding one of the most successful naval architectural firms in the nation, the late Dr. John J. McMullen ’40 credited the experience and training he received at the Naval Academy for his successful and varied career. He also left a long legacy of support for the Academy.

A member of the Class of 1940, McMullen served in the United States Navy for almost fifteen years before retiring in 1954. McMullen served as a naval officer on YORKTOWN and STACK, and was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal for his service in the Pacific theater in World War II. He completed his post graduate studies while in the Navy, earning a Master of Science degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from MIT and a Doctorate of Mechanical Engineering degree from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich.

After retiring from the Navy, McMullen served as chief of the Office of Ship Construction and Repair in the U.S. Maritime Administration. In 1958 he founded John J. McMullen Associates, which grew to be one of the most successful firms of naval architects and marine engineers in the country. He was also the director of several international shipping companies, including United States Lines, Burma Oil Tankers, and Norton Lilly.

An avid sports fan, McMullen was involved with several professional sports teams, including an ownership share of the Yankees and majority ownership of the Houston Astros. McMullen was chairman of the New Jersey Devils (originally the Colorado Rockies before he brought them back to his home state of New Jersey) when the team won the Stanley Cup in 1995 and 2000.

In recognition of the valuable education provided to him by the Naval Academy, McMullen remained loyal to his alma mater. His involvement with the Academy included terms on the Board of Visitors and the Academic Advisory Board, serving as National Chairman of the Campaign for Alumni Hall, and membership on the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation Board of Directors. He generously supported the renovation of the Bishop baseball stadium clubhouse and helped to establish the Distinguished Chair in Leadership now held by Vice Admiral Michael D. Haskins ’66, USN (Ret.). In 2000, McMullen was honored by the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association with the Distinguished Graduate Award.

The generous contribution that Dr. McMullen and his good friend, the late Bill Daniels, provided to the history department will make it possible for two prominent historians to deliver the McMullen Seapower Keynote Speeches addressing major aspects of naval history during the 2007 Naval History Symposium. The funds provided by Dr. McMullen and Mr. Daniels will also help scholars pursue their academic interests and participate in future symposia to be held at the United States Naval Academy.