Stan Arthur
Encyclopedia
Admiral Stanley R. Arthur, USN (born September 27, 1935) was the Vice Chief of Naval Operations
from 1992–95, culminating more than 38 years as an officer in the United States Navy
.
Program in June 1957. Following completion of flight training, he was designated as a Naval Aviator
in 1958.
Arthur flew more than 500 combat missions in the A-4 Skyhawk
during the Vietnam War
, receiving 11 separate awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross
and over 50 separate awards of the Air Medal
, making him one of the most highly decorated combat aviators of that conflict. During the 1970s and 1980s, he also held command of a carrier-based attack squadron, a carrier air wing, an aircraft carrier, a carrier battle group, and was Chief of Naval Personnel.
In the First Gulf War then-Vice Admiral Arthur commanded the United States Seventh Fleet
and was Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command
during Operation DESERT STORM in 1990-91. He directed the operations of more than 96,000 Navy and Marine Corps
personnel and 130 U.S. Navy and Allied ships. This represented the largest U.S. naval armada amassed since World War II.
Admiral Arthur assumed duties as the Vice Chief of Naval Operations on 6 July 1992. He retired from active military service on 1 June 1995.
In that job as the Navy's number two officer, he was also the Navy's most senior Naval Aviator
immediately after the 1991 Tailhook Incident. Admiral Arthur was nominated by President Bill Clinton
to head U.S. military forces in the Pacific as the prospective Commander of U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM), but the nomination was withdrawn after Senator Dave Durenberger, R-Minnesota, questioned Arthur's handling of sexual harassment allegations brought by one of the Senator's constituents, a female Navy student helicopter pilot named Rebecca Hansen, who was attrited from flight training.
Rather than let the Pacific fleet job go unfilled during what might have been protracted hearings, Arthur elected to retire from the Navy on February 1, 1995 as a four-star admiral. Critics charged that the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Mike Boorda
, sacrificed Arthur to improve the Navy's image on sexual harassment following the Tailhook Incident. The volume of complaints prompted Boorda to issue an unusual public defense of Arthur and his decision not to fight for the nomination:
in 1996 and was appointed President, Missiles and Fire Control – Orlando
, Florida in July 1999.
in Oxford, Ohio. He later earned a second bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School
and received his master's degree in administration from George Washington University
.
in 2008. He also received the Gray Eagle Award
.
The Admiral Stan Arthur Award For Logistics Excellence is presented annually in his honor, and recognizes military and civilian logisticians who epitomize excellence in logistics planning and execution.
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...
from 1992–95, culminating more than 38 years as an officer in the 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...
.
Military career
Admiral Arthur was born in San Diego, California and was commissioned in U.S. Navy through the Naval Reserve Officer Training CorpsNaval Reserve Officer Training Corps
The Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps program is a college-based, commissioned officer training program of the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps.-Origins:...
Program in June 1957. Following completion of flight training, he was designated as a Naval Aviator
Naval Aviator
A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
in 1958.
Arthur flew more than 500 combat missions in the A-4 Skyhawk
A-4 Skyhawk
The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a carrier-capable ground-attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The delta winged, single-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated the A4D...
during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, receiving 11 separate awards of the 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...
and over 50 separate awards of the 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:...
, making him one of the most highly decorated combat aviators of that conflict. During the 1970s and 1980s, he also held command of a carrier-based attack squadron, a carrier air wing, an aircraft carrier, a carrier battle group, and was Chief of Naval Personnel.
In the First Gulf War then-Vice Admiral Arthur commanded the United States Seventh Fleet
United States Seventh Fleet
The Seventh Fleet is the United States Navy's permanent forward projection force based in Yokosuka, Japan, with units positioned near Japan and South Korea. It is a component fleet force under the United States Pacific Fleet. At present, it is the largest of the forward-deployed U.S. fleets, with...
and was Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command
United States Naval Forces Central Command is the United States Navy element of United States Central Command . Its area of responsibility includes the Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, and Arabian Sea...
during Operation DESERT STORM in 1990-91. He directed the operations of more than 96,000 Navy and Marine Corps
Marine corps
A marine is a member of a force that specializes in expeditionary operations such as amphibious assault and occupation. The marines traditionally have strong links with the country's navy...
personnel and 130 U.S. Navy and Allied ships. This represented the largest U.S. naval armada amassed since World War II.
Admiral Arthur assumed duties as the Vice Chief of Naval Operations on 6 July 1992. He retired from active military service on 1 June 1995.
In that job as the Navy's number two officer, he was also the Navy's most senior Naval Aviator
Naval Aviator
A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
immediately after the 1991 Tailhook Incident. Admiral Arthur was nominated by President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
to head U.S. military forces in the Pacific as the prospective Commander of U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM), but the nomination was withdrawn after Senator Dave Durenberger, R-Minnesota, questioned Arthur's handling of sexual harassment allegations brought by one of the Senator's constituents, a female Navy student helicopter pilot named Rebecca Hansen, who was attrited from flight training.
Rather than let the Pacific fleet job go unfilled during what might have been protracted hearings, Arthur elected to retire from the Navy on February 1, 1995 as a four-star admiral. Critics charged that the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Mike Boorda
Jeremy Michael Boorda
Jeremy Michael Boorda was an admiral of the United States Navy and the 25th Chief of Naval Operations . Boorda is the only CNO to have risen to the position from the enlisted ranks.-Early life and education :...
, sacrificed Arthur to improve the Navy's image on sexual harassment following the Tailhook Incident. The volume of complaints prompted Boorda to issue an unusual public defense of Arthur and his decision not to fight for the nomination:
- "Stan Arthur is an officer of integrity… who chose to take this selfless action… in the interests of more rapidly filling a critical leadership position. Those who postulate other reasons for the withdrawal are simply wrong."
Post Military
Arthur joined Lockheed MartinLockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is an American global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technology company with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta in March 1995. It is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington Metropolitan Area....
in 1996 and was appointed President, Missiles and Fire Control – Orlando
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, Florida in July 1999.
Education
Arthur is a graduate of Miami UniversityMiami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
in Oxford, Ohio. He later earned a second bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School
Naval Postgraduate School
The Naval Postgraduate School is an accredited research university operated by the United States Navy. Located in Monterey, California, it grants master's degrees, Engineer's degrees and doctoral degrees...
and received his master's degree in administration from George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
.
Awards
In 1996 Arthur received the Admiral Arleigh A. Burke Leadership Award from the Navy League. He was inducted into the Naval Aviation Hall of HonorNaval Aviation Hall of Honor
The United States Naval Aviation Hall of Honor, located at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida, recognizes individuals "who by their actions or achievements made outstanding contributions to Naval Aviation." Since its inception in 1979, the Hall of Honor has enshrined 80 people...
in 2008. He also 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....
.
The Admiral Stan Arthur Award For Logistics Excellence is presented annually in his honor, and recognizes military and civilian logisticians who epitomize excellence in logistics planning and execution.