Bruce DeMars
Encyclopedia
Bruce DeMars is a retired United States Navy
four star admiral who served as Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion from 1988 to 1996.
in 1957.
His shore duty stations include being an instructor at the Nuclear Power School and Submarine School and attending the Armed Forces Staff College. After staff duty with Squadron Ten, DeMars served as Senior Member of the Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board, United States Atlantic Fleet.
He commanded Submarine Development Squadron Twelve in New London, Connecticut
and then served as Deputy Director, Attack Submarine Division in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
, until selected for promotion to Rear Admiral
in 1981.
/Commander, U.S. Naval Base, Guam
; Commander in Chief, Pacific Representative for Guam and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
; and Deputy Assistant Chief and then Deputy Chief of Naval Operations
for Submarine Warfare.
He was confirmed by the United States Senate
on September 30, 1988 for promotion to full admiral and on October 22, 1988, he relieved Admiral Kinnaird R. McKee
as Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion.
In 2011, ADM DeMars received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor
for his distinguished service to his country.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
four star admiral who served as Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion from 1988 to 1996.
Early years
DeMars was born in Chicago, Illinois, on June 3, 1935, and graduated from the United States Naval AcademyUnited States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in 1957.
Naval service
After graduation, he initially served aboard the surface ships and before attending Submarine School.Submarine service
His first submarine assignment was the diesel . He underwent nuclear power training, followed by assignment to the nuclear-powered submarines , , and before taking command of .His shore duty stations include being an instructor at the Nuclear Power School and Submarine School and attending the Armed Forces Staff College. After staff duty with Squadron Ten, DeMars served as Senior Member of the Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board, United States Atlantic Fleet.
He commanded Submarine Development Squadron Twelve in New London, Connecticut
New London, Connecticut
New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States.It is located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, southeastern Connecticut....
and then served as Deputy Director, Attack Submarine Division in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
, until selected for promotion to Rear Admiral
Rear admiral (United States)
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. The uniformed services of the United States are unique in having two grades of rear admirals.- Rear admiral :...
in 1981.
Flag assignments
His flag assignments include Commander, U.S. Naval Forces MarianasMariana Islands
The Mariana Islands are an arc-shaped archipelago made up by the summits of 15 volcanic mountains in the north-western Pacific Ocean between the 12th and 21st parallels north and along the 145th meridian east...
/Commander, U.S. Naval Base, Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
; Commander in Chief, Pacific Representative for Guam and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
The Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands was a United Nations trust territory in Micronesia administered by the United States from 1947 to 1986.-History:...
; and Deputy Assistant Chief and then Deputy Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
for Submarine Warfare.
He was confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
on September 30, 1988 for promotion to full admiral and on October 22, 1988, he relieved Admiral Kinnaird R. McKee
Kinnaird R. McKee
Kinnaird Rowe McKee is a retired United States Navy four star admiral who served as Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion from 1982 to 1988. He also served as Superintendent, United States Naval Academy from 1975 to 1978....
as Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion.
Honors and awards
DeMars' decorations include:- the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association Distinguished Graduate Award
Navy Distinguished Service MedalNavy Distinguished Service MedalThe Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919. The decoration is the Navy and Marine Corps equivalent to the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Coast...
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
with three award stars
Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal (United States)The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
with award star
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation MedalCommendation MedalThe Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. For valorous actions in direct contact with an enemy force, but of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Bronze Star, the Valor device may...
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement MedalAchievement MedalThe Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the United States military. The Achievement Medal was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service...
Navy Unit CommendationNavy Unit CommendationThe Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is an award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944...
.
In 2011, ADM DeMars received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor
Ellis Island Medal of Honor
The Ellis Island Medal of Honor was founded by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations and intended to pay homage to the immigrant experience. The medals honor the contribution made to America by immigrants and the legacy they left behind in the successes of their children and grand-children...
for his distinguished service to his country.