James F. McNulty (Rear Admiral USMS)

Rear Admiral James F. McNulty (1929–2006) was a U.S. Merchant marine officer called to active service as a Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy, where as an USN officer, he served for 22 years and as a combat decorated naval veteran of 2 major U.S. conflicts, including the Korean War and the Vietnamese War. McNulty, who later also served as a USMS or United States Maritime Service officer, is, however, best remembered as an innovative educator of United States Navy and United States Merchant Marine officers. As a USN Captain (naval), he last served as Chief of Staff of the Naval War College. He, later, as a United States Maritime Service Rear Admiral, also, served as Superintendent of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy.

Early life, education, career in the U.S. Navy and at the Naval War College
McNulty was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He received a B.S. in maritime engineering from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, B.A. in history from Tufts University, M.A. in international affairs from George Washington University and an M.A. in Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island. During his U.S. Navy career, McNulty served, principally, on destroyers. During the Vietnamese War, he was executive officer of the Guided Missile Destroyer USS Robison (DDG-12). McNulty later commanded the destroyer USS Farragut (DDG-37), the Farragut-class guided missile frigate (destroyer lead) (guided missile destroyer), which was the lead ship of her class of destroyers in the U.S. Fleet. As an extraordinarily accomplished naval combat commander, McNulty was thereafter appointed Chief of Staff of the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. The Naval War College is an educational and research institution of the United States Navy that specializes in developing ideas for naval warfare and passing them along to officers of the Navy. Rear Admiral and Chief of Staff McNulty’s historical papers (1955-1977), being his tactically implemented papers delivered on U.S. naval presence and U.S. and Soviet sea power, other of his published writings and his personal papers, including notebooks and photographs, are archived in 10 boxes in the War College’s Naval Historical Collection. As stated in the Naval History & Heritage Command or Naval Historical Center listing of the U.S. Naval War College's Naval Historical Collection's contents, that repository's 205 collections of personal manuscripts are those "personal papers of naval officer or civilians who have been associated with the College during their careers and have made major contributions to the evolution of naval warfare."

Continuation of career as educator
After his retirement from the U.S. Navy in 1977, McNulty began a new career as an educator of Merchant marine officers. He retired again in 1993, as Superintendent of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy. While an educator of commercial rather than military seaman, McNulty continued to contribute to naval science.

Later life
In 1993, for a second time, McNulty retired with his wife Mary Grace McNulty née Young. This time in Punta Gorda, Florida, where they enjoyed yachting and were involved with the Navy League of the United States. McNulty died in 2006 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. He was followed to his reward by his widow and wife for 53 years, Mary Grace, five years later in 2011. James F. McNulty and his wife Mary were Roman Catholics.

Military decorations and other honors

 * Legion of Merit
 * Meritorius Service Medal
 * Navy Commendation Medal with combat ' V ' (2 gold battle stars for 3rd award)
 * Meritorius Unit Citation
 * Combat Action Ribbon
 * The Great Lakes Maritime Academy RADM J.F. McNulty Scholarship Fund is named for Rear Admiral McNulty.

Example of Writing
McNulty, James F. "Blockade: Evolution and Expectation", U.S. Naval War College Review, October 1966:65–98

McNulty contributed numerous other articles to scholarly journals in his fields.