Thomas B. Hayward

Admiral Thomas Bibb Hayward (born May 3, 1924) was Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) for the United States Navy from July 1, 1978, until June 30, 1982, after which he retired from military service. He is a 1947 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. Hayward’s career began on the USS Antietam (CV-36), he attended flight training in Pensacola, Florida, and received his wings in July 1950. From the decks of the USS Essex (CV-9) and USS Valley Forge (CV-45), he accumulated 146 combat missions over Korea and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, ten Air Medals, and three Navy Commendation Medals with Combat "V". During the Vietnam War, Hayward flew 36 missions, receiving the Legion of Merit and three Air Medals

Before his appointment as CNO, the admiral had tours of duty as:
 * Commander in Chief for the United States Pacific Fleet (August 12, 1976 - May 9, 1978);
 * Commander for the United States 7th Fleet (1976–1977);
 * Commanding Officer of the aircraft carrier USS America. CV-66

In 1981, he was awarded the Society of Experimental Test Pilots James H. Doolittle Award. In January 2007, the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association announced Admiral Thomas B. Hayward as one of four recipients of its 2007 Distinguished Graduate Award.

Admiral Hayward is one of the senior signatories of the March 31, 2009 letter urging the president to maintain the controversial "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.