David E. Jeremiah

David Elmer Jeremiah, (February 25, 1934 – October 7, 2013) was a United States Navy Admiral, who served as Vice Chairman and also Acting Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. After his retirement from the Navy in February 1994, he worked in the field of investment banking. He served as partner and president of Technology Strategies & Alliances Corporation, a strategic advisory and investment banking firm engaged primarily in the aerospace, defense, telecommunications, and electronics industries. During his military career Jeremiah earned a reputation as an authority on strategic planning, financial management and the policy implications of advanced technology.

Naval career
Jeremiah served four years as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for Generals Colin L. Powell and John M. Shalikashvili. He was a key player for both Chairmen in the transition to a post-Cold War military. Jeremiah was also the Commander in Chief of the United States Pacific Fleet from 1987 to 1991.

He commanded a task force, battle group and destroyer squadron in earlier tours in the Mediterranean. In October 1985 he directed the attempt to capture the hijackers of the MS Achille Lauro and in April 1986 led combat operations against Libya in the Gulf of Sidra. He served as commanding officer of the USS Preble (DDG-46) from 1974-1976. Ashore, Jeremiah served as Director, Navy Program Planning and in financial planning positions on the staffs of the Secretary of Defense and Chief of Naval Operations.

Decorations
Jeremiah received numerous U.S. and foreign decorations and awards, including the Presidential Citizens Medal presented by George H.W. Bush for the Gulf War; the Defense Distinguished Service Medal; five Navy Distinguished Service Medals; Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medals; Legion of Merit with gold star; two Meritorious Service Medals, the Navy Achievement Medal with Valor device; the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun (Japan); Kingdom of Thailand Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand; the Republic of Korea Order of National Security Merit (Tongil and Samil) Medal; the Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm. Jeremiah was also appointed an Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia (Military Division), the first foreign appointment to the order's Military Division, and he received the University of Oregon Pioneer Award for Distinguished Graduates.

Organizational affiliations
Jeremiah was Chairman of the Board of Directors of Wackenhut Services, Inc. and served on the Boards of Directors for Geobiotics, LLC, Todd Shipyards Corporation, ManTech International Corporation and the Board of Trustees for MITRE Corporation and In-Q-Tel and advisory boards for Northrop Grumman Corporation and the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs.

In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Jeremiah served as a member of the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board, the George Bush Presidential Library Advisory Council and a National Reconnaissance Office Advisory Panel.

Education
Jeremiah earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Oregon and a master's degree in Financial Management from George Washington University. He completed the Program for Management Development at Harvard University.

Death
He died in 2013, aged 79.