Paul E. Tobin Jr.

Rear Admiral Paul Edward Tobin Jr. (born c. 1941), United States Navy, served as Oceanographer of the Navy from 1996 to 1998 and Director of Naval History from 2005 to 2008.

Early life
Paul Tobin attended Lawrenceville School and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1963. Rear Admiral Tobin is married to Lynne Carter Tobin from Shaker Heights, Ohio, and they have two daughters.

Naval career
Following graduation from the Naval Academy, Tobin reported to USS Towers (DDG-9) where he served as First Lieutenant and Main Propulsion assistant. After graduating with distinction from the Naval Destroyer School in 1966, he was assigned as Engineer Officer in USS Davis (DD-937), where he was awarded a Bronze Star for operations associated with the salvage of USS Liberty (AGTR-5) after that ship sustained heavy combat damage in the Six-Day War or 1967 Arab-Israeli War. In 1968, he commenced postgraduate studies at the Naval Postgraduate School, which culminated in a Master of Science degree in computer systems management. In 1970, he joined the staff of Naval Destroyer School in Newport, Rhode Island, as head of the Technical Training Branch and as an engineering instructor in the Department Head and Prospective Commanding Officer and Prospective Executive Officer Departments.

Tobin reported as Aide and Flag Secretary to the Commander, Naval Forces Vietnam, in 1971. He returned to sea duty in 1973 as Executive Officer in USS Koelsch (FF-1049). Upon completing this tour, he reported as Aide and Flag Lieutenant to the President of the Naval War College and subsequently graduated with distinction from the Naval Command and Staff course. In 1976, he reported to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and served in the Systems Analysis Division (OP-96)

In 1979, he assumed command of USS Tattnall (DDG-19), where he completed two Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf deployments. In 1981, he reported as Chief Engineer in USS Forrestal (CV-59), where he served for two years and participated in the 1981 Gulf of Sidra operations, two Mediterranean deployments and the initial phase of the Carrier Service Life Extension Program. In 1984, he graduated with distinction from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, D.C.

In September 1984, he assumed command of USS Fox (CG-33) in San Diego, California. During this tour he completed a deployment to the Western Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean. He assumed command of the Surface Warfare Officers School Command, Newport, Rhode Island, in July 1986. In October 1988, he assumed duties as Director, Department of the Navy Information Resources Management, and Director, Information Management Support Division (OP-945). He also served as Director, Naval Communication/Information Systems.

In August 1990, he assumed command of Naval Surface Group, Western Pacific, Task Force 73, and Task Force 75. In this capacity he oversaw the reorganization of naval surface forces in the Western Pacific. He then assumed the duties as Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel, Personal Readiness and Community Support (Pers-6) in September 1992. In June 1994, Rear Admiral Tobin assumed his duties as Vice Chief of Naval Education and Training. His final assignment was Oceanographer of the Navy (1996–1998).

Post active-duty career
After retiring from active duty in 1998, Rear Admiral Tobin became the Executive Director of the Educational Foundation of the Armed Forces Communications Electronics Association (AFCEA) in Fairfax, Virginia. On 25 July 2005, he became the eleventh Director of Naval History and Director, Naval Historical Center.

Decorations and awards
Rear Admiral Tobin’s personal Awards include: Two Distinguished Service Medals, four Legion of Merit medals, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, and three Navy Commendation Medals.


 * Navy Distinguished Service ribbon.svg Navy Distinguished Service Medal with one Gold Star
 * Legion of Merit ribbon.svg Legion of Merit with three Gold Stars
 * Bronze Star ribbon.svg Bronze Star
 * Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg Meritorious Service Medal
 * Navy and Marine Corps Commendation ribbon.svg Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two Gold Stars