Vice Admiral John B. Nowell Jr. - U.S. Navy (RET.)

John B. Nowell Jr. is a 1984 distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering, and he holds a Master of Science in Weapons Systems Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. Nowell completed a career in the U.S. Navy in 2022 and his operational tours spanned the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets to include forward deployed naval forces in Europe and the Western Pacific. He served aboard USS Callaghan (DDG 994), USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51), and USS The Sullivans (DDG 68). He commanded USS Porter (DDG 78), and Destroyer Squadron 60/Task Force 65. He also served as the Maritime Force Commander (Combined Task Force-Bravo) for Joint Task Force Lebanon, Commander of Task Force West and Central Africa (CTF-365), commander of the inaugural Africa Partnership Station deployment and Commander, BONHOMME RICHARD EXPEDITIONARY STRIKE GROUP. His staff assignments included tours on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations and the Joint Staff in the development and operationalization of the Navy and Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense Programs. He also served as the Director, Washington Placement Branch (PERS-441), Executive Assistant to the Commander, Navy Personnel Command/Naval Personnel Development Command, and Director, Surface Warfare Distribution Division (PERS-41). Nowell also served as director of the Navy Senate Liaison Office in Washington D.C.

As a flag officer, Nowell served as Chief of Staff and Director, Strategy, Resources, and Plans (N5/8) on the staff of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet in Naples, Italy; Commander, Amphibious Force Seventh Fleet/Expeditionary Strike Group Seven/Task Force 76 in Okinawa, Japan, and as Director, Military Personnel Plans and Policy (OPNAV N13) and Acting Commander of Navy Personnel Command (CNPC). Nowell finished his Naval career as the Navy’s 59th Chief of Naval Personnel. Serving concurrently as the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Manpower, Personnel, Training, and Education) (N1), he was responsible for the planning and programming of all manpower, personnel, training, and education resources for the U.S. Navy. He led more than 26,000 dedicated professionals engaged in the recruiting, talent management, training, and development of 400,000 Navy personnel. His awards include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal (two awards), Legion of Merit (six awards), Bronze Star, and various other personal, unit and campaign awards. Every ship that he was assigned to, won the Battle Efficiency “E” award, and USS Porter (DDG 78) also won the Anti-Submarine Warfare “Bloodhound” award. Nowell was also the recipient of the 2021 Association of Naval Services Officers (ANSO) Legacy in Leadership and Vision Award and the 1987 Pacific Fleet Junior Officer Shiphandling Award. The award that he is most proud of however, was being made an Honorary Chief Petty Officer in 1999 while serving as the Executive Officer aboard USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) Prior to joining the Navy Memorial team, he led the Federal Practice at McChrystal Group, an elite advisory services firm that specializes in transforming stagnant and siloed organizations into cohesive, adaptable “team of teams.”

In 2024 Retired Vice Admiral John Nowell became the President and CEO of the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington D.C.