Jay L. Johnson
Admiral
Jay L. Johnson, USN, is a retired United States Navy officer who served from 1996-2000 as 26th
Chief of Naval Operations (CNO). He succeeded to the position following the death of Admiral
Jeremy M. Boorda.
Johnson was born in
Great Falls, Montana, and raised in
West Salem, Wisconsin. He graduated in 1968 from the
United States Naval Academy. Upon completion of flight training, he was designated a
Naval Aviator in 1969.
His first sea-duty tour was aboard the carrier
USS Oriskany, where he made two combat cruises flying the
F8J Crusader with Fighter Squadron ONE NINE ONE (VF-191). Subsequent squadron and sea duty tours after transitioning to the
F-14 Tomcat included: VF-142, VF-101, Commanding Officer of VF-84; Commander,
Carrier Air Wing ONE; Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations for Commander,
SIXTH Fleet; and Commander, Carrier Air Wing ONE as Senior Air Wing Commander.
Shore duty assignments included: Aviation Junior Officer Detailer;
Armed Forces Staff College; Head, Aviation Junior Officer Assignment Branch; and the Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group.
His first
Flag Officer assignment was as Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel for Distribution in the
Bureau of Naval Personnel. In October 1992, he reported as Commander, Carrier Group EIGHT/Commander,
USS Theodore Roosevelt Battle Group. In July 1994, he was assigned as Commander,
SECOND Fleet/Commander, Striking Fleet Atlantic/Commander, Joint Task Force 120.
In March 1996, he reported for duty as the 28th Vice Chief of Naval Operations in Washington, D.C.
In August 1996, Adm. Johnson became the 26th , and served until July 21, 2000.
