Richard Dunleavy

Admiral Richard Michael Dunleavy (born 1933) is a retired US naval officer. He retired as a two-star Rear Admiral in 1993 after being demoted from the rank of three-star Vice Admiral as a result of the Tailhook scandal.

Dunleavy attended Basic Naval Aviation Observer (BNAO) School at NAS Pensacola, Florida followed by advanced training at NAS Glynco, Georgia, after which he was designated as a Naval Aviation Observer (NAO). His first Fleet assignment was as a bombardier/navigator in the A-3 Skywarrior at NAS Sanford, Florida, followed by later transition to the A-5 Vigilante. He then became a reconnaissance attack navigator in the RA-5C Vigilante and was redesignated a Naval Flight Officer (NFO) with the establishment of the NFO speciality in 1966. Selected for transition to the A-6 Intruder attack aircraft, he subsequently became a bombardier/navigator in that aircraft at NAS Oceana, Virginia, later commanding an Atlantic Fleet A-6 squadron based there, Attack Squadron 176 (VA-176). This was subsequently followed by command of the Pacific Fleet's A-6 fleet replacement squadron (FRS), Attack Squadron 128 (VA-128) at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington.

Following command of a deep draft replenishment vessel, Dunleavy was selected as the first Naval Flight Officer (NFO) to command an aircraft carrier, serving as Commanding Officer of the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43) (as a Captain). While commanding the Coral Sea he participated in the Iranian Hostage Crisis rescue attempt of April 1980 while patrolling in Gonzo Station, near Iran. Dunleavy was extremely well liked by those who served under him, and has been given much credit by his subordinates for boosting morale while commanding the Coral Sea.,

As a Flag Officer, he also served as Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Philippines and As Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic Fleet, and as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Air Warfare (OP-05).

In the 2008 presidential election he was among the 300 Generals and Admirals who enthusiastically endorsed John McCain for president. This was in contrast to Colin Powell, who endorsed Barack Obama.