Honolulu Navy League honors Rear Admiral Joe Vasey

Since 11-16-04

From NSL Update 11-11-04

By JOC(SW/AW) David Rush, COMSUBPAC Public Affairs

(Pearl Harbor, Hawaii) -- On Nov. 6, the Navy League of the United States paid tribute to submariner Rear Adm. (Ret.) Lloyd "Joe" Vasey at the Bowfin Submarine Museum in Pearl Harbor with a Navy League Lifetime Patriot Award.

According to Navy League Honolulu Council President Craig Kennedy, the recognition is for Vasey's lifetime of work in the Navy and the private sector. "Whether as a midshipman, a World War II submariner, or as the founder of the Pacific Forum, it has always been Joe Vasey's mission to serve our country."

Sen. John McCain was on hand for the event and served as the guest speaker. "I'm very pleased to be here tonight to honor Admiral Vasey who served with my father in World War II here in Hawaii. He is a wonderful man who has served his country and that's what the United States Navy is all about," said McCain.

Rear Adm. Paul Sullivan, Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet was also in attendance. "Admiral Vasey has been a terrific submariner and patriot and it's a real honor to be here tonight. He has always been a mentor of mine. I am so happy he is being recognized for his contribution to the Navy," said Sullivan.

Adm. Walter F. Doran, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and Adm. Thomas B. Fargo, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, were also on hand to pat tribute to Vasey. Vasey, age 87, was delighted to see so many peers and friends. "I am delighted to be here. These are all of my friends," said Vasey, referring to the hundreds of guests gathered for the event, which included various business leaders, service members of the U.S. Navy and Army and numerous other distinguished guests.

"This is an honor for me," Vasey added. Vasey is the Founder and Senior Advisor for Policy, Pacific Forum CSIS, a non-profit, foreign research institute that operates the Center for Strategic Asia Pacific Region of the International Studies, Wash. D.C. He is also the Former Chief of Strategic Plans and Policies for U.S. Pacific Command and Secretary to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Honolulu). Pacific Forum President Ralph A. Cossa established a fellowship in February 2002 to honor Vasey, who launched the Pacific Forum in 1975 to help build better relations between the United States and its Asian neighbors.

As a senior strategist focusing on assessing the impact of China's defense and foreign policies on regional security, Vasey served as CEO until 1990. He is the author of several published articles and studies on Asia-Pacific security issues, including China's Growing Military Power and Implications for East Asia (CSIS, 1993).

His military service includes Chief of Strategic Plans and Policies at U.S. Pacific Command Headquarters, Secretary to the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Deputy Director of the U.S. National Military Command Center in the Pentagon and Chief of Staff for Commander U.S. 7th Fleet.

Vasey graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and holds an M.A.(education) from Stanford University. He is also a graduate of the U.S. National War College and has received an honorary doctorate from the University of Hawaii. In 1997, he received Hawaii Pacific University's highest honor: the Fellow of the Pacific Award.

Endowment proceeds will help fund a continuing series of "Vasey Fellows" who serve as junior researchers at the Pacific Forum to gain an appreciation of Asia-Pacific economic and security affairs and policymaking challenges.

The Vasey Fellowship Program is intended to provide greater opportunity to the community of young, promising Asian scholars to develop hands-on expertise in U.S.-Asia policy issues. The fellowship is available for periods ranging from three months to one year, and the selected Vasey Fellow will conduct independent research as well as assist in Pacific Forum research and programs.

Executive Director Note: LT Joe Vasey was XO on USS GUNNEL (SS-253) during WWII and CDR John S. McCain Jr. was his CO. You can follow GUNNEL's exploits at <http://www.jmlavelle.com/gunnel/> http://www.jmlavelle.com/gunnel/