Maurice Franklin Weisner (November 20, 1917 – October 15, 2006) was a United States Navy

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 Vice Chief of Naval Operations

Vice Chief of Naval Operations

The Vice Chief of Naval Operations is the second highest ranking officer in the United States Navy. In the event that the Chief of Naval Operations is absent or is unable to perform his duties, the VCNO assumes the duties and responsibilities of the CNO. The VCNO may also perform other duties...

 (VCNO) from 1972 to 1973; Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet

United States Pacific Fleet

The United States Pacific Fleet is a Pacific Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources under the operational control of the United States Pacific Command. Its home port is at Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Hawaii. It is commanded by Admiral Patrick M...

 (CINCPACFLT) from 1973 to 1976; and Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Command

United States Pacific Command

The United States Pacific Command is a Unified Combatant Command of the United States armed forces responsible for the Pacific Ocean area. It is led by the Commander, Pacific Command , who is the supreme military authority for the various branches of the Armed Forces of the United States serving...

 (CINCPAC) from 1976 to 1979. He served in World War II as a naval aviator aboard the USS Wasp (CV-7

USS Wasp (CV-7)

USS Wasp was a United States Navy aircraft carrier. The eighth Navy ship of that name, she was the sole ship of her class. Built to use up the remaining tonnage allowed to the U.S. for aircraft carriers under the treaties of the time, she was built on a reduced-size version of the Yorktown-class...

 until it was sunk in September 1942.

Awards and decorations

Admiral Weisner's awards and decorations include:

•   Naval Aviator Badge
•   Defense Distinguished Service Medal
  Defense Distinguished Service Medal
  The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is a United States military award which is presented for exceptionally distinguished performance of duty contributing to national security or defense of the United States...
  
  
•   Army Distinguished Service Medal
  Distinguished Service Medal (Army)
  The Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Army that is presented to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the United States military, has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a duty of great...
  
  
•   Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
  Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
  The Air Force Distinguished Service Medal was created by an act of the United States Congress on July 6, 1960. The medal was intended as a new decoration of the United States Air Force to replace the policy of awarding the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Air Force personnel.The Air Force...
  
  
•   Navy Distinguished Service Medal
  Navy Distinguished Service Medal
  The 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...
  
   (4 awards)
•   Legion of Merit
  Legion of Merit
  The 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...
  
   (2 awards)
•   Distinguished Flying Cross
  Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
  The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
  
   (2 awards)
•   Air Medal
  Air Medal
  The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
  
   (6 awards)
•   Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
  Commendation Medal
  The 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...
  
   (with Combat "V")
• Five unit commendations
• Various campaign and service medals
• Foreign decorations from Japan, the Republic of Korea, Republic of Vietnam, Philippine Republic, Kingdom of Thailand and the United Nations.
• As the senior active duty naval aviator, he received the Gray Eagle Award
  Gray Eagle Award
  The Gray Eagle Award is presented to the Naval Aviator on continuous active duty in U.S. Navy or Marine Corps who has held that designation for the longest period of time....
  
  .

Retirement

Weisner retired from the Navy in 1979. He died in 2006 and was buried in Barrancas National Cemetery

Barrancas National Cemetery

Barrancas National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery located at Naval Air Station Pensacola, in the city of Pensacola, Florida. It encompasses , and as of the end of 2005, had 32,643 interments.- History :...