Jay L. Johnson

Jay Lynn Johnson (born June 5, 1946) is a retired United States Navy admiral who served as the 26th Chief of Naval Operations from 1996 to 2000. He was later president and chief executive officer of General Dynamics.

Early life Johnson was born in Great Falls, Montana, on June 5, 1946, and raised in West Salem, Wisconsin. An Eagle Scout and later recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, he graduated in 1968 from the United States Naval Academy. His Naval Academy classmates included Admirals Michael Mullen and Dennis C. Blair, Generals Charles Bolden and Michael Hagee; as well as Lt. Col Oliver North and Senator Jim Webb. Upon completion of flight training, Johnson was designated a Naval Aviator in 1969.

Johnson has been a director of General Dynamics, one of the largest U.S. defense contractors, since 2003. He served as vice chairman from September 2008 to July 2009, and president and chief executive officer from then until January 2013, when he was succeeded by Phebe Novakovic.

Awards and decorations

Naval Aviator BadgeDefense Distinguished Service Medal (with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster)Navy Distinguished Service MedalDefense Superior Service MedalLegion of Merit w/ 3 gold award starsDefense Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service MedalAir Medal w/ bronze strike/flight numeral 8Navy and Marine Corps Commendation MedalNavy Unit CommendationNavy Meritorious Unit Commendation with 2 bronze service starsNavy Expeditionary MedalNational Defense Service Medal with 1 service starArmed Forces Expeditionary Medal with 1 service starVietnam Service Medal with 2 service starsSouthwest Asia Service Medal with 1 service starArmed Forces Service MedalNavy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 6 service starsVietnam Gallantry Cross with bronze starArmed Forces Honor Medal, 1st class (Vietnam)Order of National Security Merit, Tong-il Medal (Republic of Korea)NATO Medal for Former YugoslaviaVietnam Campaign MedalKuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)Navy Marksmanship Ribbon for PistolJoint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge