William Kevin Lescher (born 1958) is a retired four-star admiral in the United States Navy who last served as the 41st Vice Chief of Naval Operations. He held this office from May 29, 2020, to September 2, 2022. Lescher was also the "Old Goat", the longest serving Naval Academy graduate on active duty, from 2018 to 2022.
Naval career
A native of Highland Park, Illinois, he graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1980. Trained as a helicopter pilot, Lescher served with HSL-36 and HSL-44 and later commanded HSL-48, HSL-40, the Atlantic Fleet Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing, Expeditionary Strike Group Five and Task Forces 51/59 in Bahrain.
In May 2020, Lescher was nominated by President Donald Trump for promotion to admiral and assignment as the next Vice Chief of Naval Operations.PN1771 — ADM William K. Lescher — Navy He assumed this office and rank on May 29, 2020.
Awards and decorations Naval Aviator insigniaCommand at Sea insigniaOffice of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge Navy Distinguished Service Medal with one gold award starDefense Superior Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clustersLegion of Merit with two award starsMeritorious Service Medal with three award starsNavy and Marine Corps Commendation MedalNavy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with award starJoint Meritorious Unit AwardNavy Unit CommendationNavy Meritorious Unit Commendation with two bronze service starsNavy "E" Ribbon with three Battle E awardsNavy Expeditionary MedalNational Defense Service Medal with service starSouthwest Asia Service Medal with service starGlobal War on Terrorism Expeditionary MedalGlobal War on Terrorism Service MedalNavy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with two service starsNavy and Marine Corps Overseas Service RibbonKuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal Lescher graduated with distinction from fixed wing, rotary wing and Naval Test Pilot School training. He has been recognized as the Association of Naval Aviation's HSL Pilot of the Year, the Naval Helicopter Association's Regional Pilot of the Year and the Naval Air Warfare Center's Rotary Wing Test Pilot of the Year. The units in which he has served have earned the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy "E" Ribbons and Theodore Ellyson award.
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