Vice Admiral Peter H. Daly, a native of Chicago, is a 1977 graduate of the College of the Holy Cross earning a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, and was commissioned through the NROTC program. In 1983, he earned a master’s degree in Operations Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif.

Daly’s sea duty assignments include USS Roark (FF 1053) as gunnery/anti-submarine officer and navigator; USS Stump (DD 978) as chief engineer; and as executive officer aboard USS Hercules (PHM 2) and USS Yorktown (CG 48). Daly commanded the destroyer USS Russell (DDG 59) from the early stages as a Pre-commissioning Unit through commissioning, culminating with a successful deployment to the Persian Gulf taking part in combat operations in support of Operation Desert Strike.

Daly commanded Destroyer Squadron 31 serving as sea combat commander for Abraham Lincoln Battle Group during Rim of the Pacific 2000, and throughout an Persian Gulf Deployment supporting Operation Southern Watch.

Daly’s shore assignments include flag aide to Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, in the Surface Warfare Programs and Budget Division (OP-30); deputy executive assistant to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations, on the Joint Staff as a program analyst and executive assistant to the Director of Force Structure, Resources, and Assessments (J-8); executive assistant to the Commander of the Pacific Fleet; and, later, as executive assistant to the Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command.

As a flag officer, Daly served as deputy director for Resources and Acquisition (J-8) in the Joint Staff and then served as senior military assistant to the Secretary of the Navy.

Returning to sea, he served as commander, Carrier Strike Group 11. During this tour, he deployed to 5th and 7th Fleet Areas of Responsibility executing combat operations in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.

Daly recently served as the assistant deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information, Plans and Strategy (OPNAV N3/N5). In August 2008, he reported for duty as deputy commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

Daly’s personal awards include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal (two awards) and, the Legion of Merit (three awards).