Mark Fitzgerald

Admiral Mark Fitzgerald was born in Winchester, Mass., and graduated from Northeastern University, Boston in June 1973.

He was designated a naval aviator in October 1975. He retired from active duty on 1 December 2010, following a career of significant distinction.

Fitzgerald had operational control over the first NATO anti-piracy deployment near Somalia as well as numerous US Navy deployments to the west coast of Africa. His experience in developing tactics and procedures to counter the piracy threat in both the Indian Ocean as well as the Gulf of Guinea make him a leader in the counter piracy arena. He has spoken at numerous international forum and advocated for improved protection systems for commercial shipping.

Fitzgerald's awards include both the Defense and Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (4 awards), Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat V (2 awards), Bronze Star (2 Awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Air Medals, and numerous individual, Campaign and Unit awards as well as numerous foreign awards. He has logged over 4,800 flight hours and has over 1,100 carrier arrested landings from the decks of 13 aircraft carriers.

He currently consults with numerous defense and commercial aviation and maritime contractors. He is Chairman of the Board of the Association of Naval Aviators and a Vice Chairman of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.