Rear Admiral Jay Bowling USN-Ret

Rear Admiral John “Jay” H. Bowling III joined the U.S. Navy in May 1973 and received orders to Naval Station Bainbridge to attend the Naval Academy Preparatory School in 1973. Following preparatory school, he received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy and graduated with the class of 1978 and went on to receive his wings at flight school in 1980.
His first sea tour began in 1980 with the Easy-Riders of Helicopter-Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 37 (HSL-37) in Hawaii, where he flew the SH-2F Seasprite and deployed with the USS Francis Hammond (FF 1067) and the USS Cushing (DD 985).
In 1985, he was assigned to the Wolfpack of HSL-45 in San Diego, CA. During this tour, he deployed with the USS Reuben James (FFG 57) and the USS McClusky (FFG 41), where he participated in Operation Earnest Will.
In 1988, he received orders to HSL-41 in San Diego, where he served as executive officer, training officer and operations officer. His third sea tour was with the Battlecats of HSL-43, where he deployed with the USS Cushing as officer in charge of Detachment 10.
In 1991, he received orders to the Bureau of Naval Personnel as HS/HSL placement officer with a follow on as assistant Captain assignment officer. In 1993, he reported as executive officer and subsequently commanding officer of HSL-51 in Atsugi, Japan. In 1996, he reported to the USS Boxer (LDH 4) as the air officer and deployed to the Indian Ocean, Red Sea, and Arabian Gulf.
In 1998, he reported to the U.S. Special Operations Command (US-SOCOM) at MacDill Air Force Base, FL. In March 2001, he reported to the USS Tarawa (LHA 1) as the executive officer until May 2002.
On 22 July 2002, he assumed command of the Tarawa in Pearl Harbor, HI, and deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom I. After leaving the Tarawa in 2004, he served as special assistant to commander, Amphibious Group 3, and participated in Iraqi Freedom II.
In 2004, he received orders to the Pentagon and served as Deputy Director, Expeditionary Warfare, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations until 2007 and then as Deputy Director, National Military Command Center, Operations Team Five (NMCC), Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), until his retirement in August 2009.
His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit with one gold star, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three gold stars, Joint Service Achievement Ribbon with one gold star, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars, Navy Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon with two gold stars, Joint Service Meritorious Unit Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon with one bronze star, Navy Marine Corps Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, Navy E Ribbon with one silver battle E, National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon with one bronze star.