William K. Lescher | |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | Bill |
Born | 1958 (age 65–66) Highland Park, Illinois, US |
Service/ | United States Navy |
Years of service | 1980–2022 |
Rank | Admiral |
Commands held |
Vice Chief of Naval Operations Expeditionary Strike Group 5 Atlantic Fleet Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing HSL-40 HSL-48 |
Battles/wars | Gulf War |
Awards |
Navy Distinguished Service Medal (2) Defense Superior Service Medal (3) Legion of Merit (3) |
William Kevin Lescher (born 1958) [1] 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. [2] Lescher was also the " Old Goat", the longest serving Naval Academy graduate on active duty, from 2018 to 2022.
A native of Highland Park, Illinois, [3] he graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1980. [4] [5] 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. [6]
In May 2020, Lescher was nominated by President Donald Trump for promotion to admiral and assignment as the next Vice Chief of Naval Operations. [7] He assumed this office and rank on May 29, 2020.
Naval Aviator insignia | |
Command at Sea insignia | |
Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge |
Navy Distinguished Service Medal with one gold award star | |
Defense Superior Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters | |
Legion of Merit with two award stars | |
Meritorious Service Medal with three award stars | |
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal | |
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with award star | |
Joint Meritorious Unit Award | |
Navy Unit Commendation | |
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with two bronze service stars | |
Navy "E" Ribbon with three Battle E awards | |
Navy Expeditionary Medal | |
National Defense Service Medal with service star | |
Southwest Asia Service Medal with service star | |
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal | |
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal | |
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with two service stars | |
Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon | |
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) | |
Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal |