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Notable Graduates

James L. Holloway

James L. Holloway

Chief of Naval Operations

Class of 1943
  • Chief of Naval Operations, 1974-1978

Profile

 

James Lemuel Holloway, III, from Charleston, South Carolina, was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1939 as a member of the Class of 1943. Following early graduation in June 1942, he initially served in destroyers.

In 1959-1965 Holloway was an aide to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Air), and was Assistant to the Director of Navy Program Planning in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Captain Holloway commanded the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Enterprise in 1965-1967, during which time she made two combat cruises off Vietnam.

Holloway was assigned to Washington, D.C., for four years as Program Coordinator of the Nuclear Attack Carrier Program and Director, Strike Warfare. He was Commander, Carrier Division Six, based on the big carrier Saratoga, during the fall 1970 Jordanian crisis. As a Vice Admiral he was Deputy Commander in Chief, Atlantic, and Atlantic Fleet, then served as Commander, Seventh Fleet in 1972-1973. Admiral Holloway was Vice Chief of Naval Operations from September 1973 and, in mid-1974, became Chief of Naval Operations. His four years in this post were marked by the transition from the divisive Vietnam War era into a time of particularly intense naval competition with the Soviet Union.

After leaving active duty in mid-1978, Admiral Holloway remained closely involved with maritime and military affairs. His contributions to the historical community include long service as President and Chairman of the Naval Historical Foundation.

 
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