Vice Admiral John J. Donnelly, a native of Groton, Conn. and second-generation submarine officer, began his Naval career at the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating with distinction in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in Physics. Early tours include assignments on board USS Tautog (SSN 639) as a division officer and Weapons Officer; Engineer Officer aboard USS Memphis (SSN 691); physics instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy; Executive Officer aboard USS Simon Bolivar (SSBN 641); and Assistant for Undersea Warfare and Strategic Issues for the Chief of Naval Operations Executive Panel staff (OP-00K). 

Donnelly’s first command assignment was as Commanding Officer, USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 709) from November 1991 to December 1994.

Following his command assignment, he served on the OPNAV staff working for the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Submarine Warfare Requirements as Head of the Submarine Acquisition Branch (N872C) and later as the Assistant for Plans and Liaison (N87C). Donnelly next served as Commanding Officer, USS McKee (AS 41), a submarine tender homeported in San Diego, from May 1997 to July 1998.

His next assignment was in Yokosuka, Japan where he served as Chief of Staff for Commander 7th Fleet from July 1998 to July 2000. Donnelly was selected to flag rank near the end of that tour. His first flag officer assignment was as Director of Combat Plans (J5A) and later as Deputy Director for Operations and Logistics (J3/4A) at the United States Strategic Command from July 2000 to May 2003. 

Donnelly was then assigned as Commander Submarine Group 7, Commander Task Force 74, and Commander Task Force 54 headquartered in Yokosuka, Japan from July 2003 to June 2004 where he was selected to two star rank.

From June 2004 to December 2006, he served in Pearl Harbor as Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff, U.S. Pacific Fleet. In February 2007, Donnelly assumed command as the Commander, Submarine Force, where he is responsible for all U.S. submarines and their crews and for all foreign submarine operations when assigned to Northern Atlantic Treaty Organization. 

Donnelly received a Master of Science Degree in Engineering Acoustics from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1976 and he attended the MIT Seminar XXI on Foreign Politics, International Relations and National Interest from September 1996 to June 1997. 

Donnelly’s personal decorations include the Distinguish Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (four awards), Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy Commendation Medal (six awards), Navy Achievement Medal and various unit and campaign awards.