Mark P. Fitzgerald

Mark P. Fitzgerald (born 1951) is a retired United States Navy admiral. He is the former Commander, United States Naval Forces Europe – Commander, United States Naval Forces Africa and Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples. He previously served as Director, Navy Staff from December 2006 to November 2007 and Commander, United States Second Fleet from 2004 until December 2006. He assumed the duties of Commander, United States Naval Forces Europe and Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples on November 30, 2007 and assumed the additional duties as Commander, United States Naval Forces Africa on March 26, 2009.

Early life Fitzgerald was born in Winchester, Massachusetts, and graduated from Northeastern University, where he was a member of the Army ROTC program, in June 1973. He was designated a Naval Aviator in October 1975.

Naval career Fitzgerald flew the A-7E Corsair II with now retired Rear Admiral Bert Johnston during sea assignments in VA-195 (1976–79), Carrier Air Wing 17 (1982–84), and VA-105 (1985–88) embarked in , , and . He commanded the VA-46 "Clansmen" (1990–1991) in , deploying with four days notice for Operation Desert Shield. He led the first Navy strike on Baghdad during the opening hour of Operation Desert Storm.

During his career, Fitzgerald was assigned as Deputy Commander, Joint Air Force Component Commander for Provide Promise Yugoslav Operations and Assistant Commander for Deny Flight NATO operations (1993). He assumed command of Carrier Air Wing 14 (1994–95) while deployed to the Persian Gulf in supporting Operation Southern Watch. Fitzgerald's shore tours include VA-174 Landing Signal Officer (1979–82), Naval Maritime Intelligence Center, SPEAR (1991–92), and Executive Assistant to the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (1996–98). He holds a master's degree in Aeronautical Systems Engineering from the University of West Florida (1975) and attended the Naval War College (1983–84).

Selected for flag rank in September 1998, Fitzgerald's first flag assignment was Deputy Commander, United States Naval Forces Central Command and commanded Joint Task Force Determined Response in Aden, Yemen (2000) in response to the terrorist attack on the guided-missile destroyer . Assuming command of Carrier Group Eight (2001), he led the Theodore Roosevelt Battle Group during Operation Enduring Freedom (2001–2002). He served as Director, Air Warfare and then as Director, Naval Warfare (2003–2004). He then assumed the position of Commander, United States Second Fleet/Commander, Striking Fleet Atlantic in October 2004.

Fitzgerald was relieved as commander of USNAVEUR, USNAVAF & JFC Naples by Admiral Samuel J. Locklear on October 6, 2010.

Awards and decorations

Naval Aviator BadgeDefense Distinguished Service MedalNavy Distinguished Service Medal with one gold award starDefense Superior Service MedalLegion of Merit with three award starsDistinguished Flying Cross with Combat V and award starBronze Star with award starDefense Meritorious Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf clusterMeritorious Service Medal with award starAir Medal with Combat V, gold award numeral 3 and bronze Strike/flight numeral 2Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat V and two award starsNavy and Marine Corps Achievement MedalJoint Meritorious Unit AwardNavy Unit CommendationNavy Meritorious Unit Commendation with one bronze service starNavy E RibbonNavy Expeditionary MedalNational Defense Service Medal with two service starsSouthwest Asia Service Medal with two service starsNavy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with silver service starNavy & Marine Corps Overseas Service RibbonNATO Medal for the former YugoslaviaKuwait Liberation Medal from Saudi ArabiaKuwait Liberation Medal from KuwaitNavy Pistol Marksmanship RibbonAllied Joint Force Command Naples

He has logged over 4800 flight hours and has made over 1100 carrier arrested landings from the decks of thirteen aircraft carriers.