Rear Adm. Greg “Fence” Fenton is a native of Grand Ledge, Michigan.  He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering and the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School with a Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering.  He also attended the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, the Air Force Air War College, the Joint and Combined Arms Warfighting School and the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command.

His shore assignments include Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106, serving as a flight instructor.  He served two tours with the Naval Strike Aircraft Test Squadron, as Carrier Suitability Department head and as head of the Ordnance Department.  He also executed the Navy’s flight tests of the Lockheed-Martin X-35C Joint Strike Fighter concept development aircraft.  He served as the Navy’s director of Operations and Plans, OPNAV N31, and most recently as commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan/Commander, Navy Region Japan.

Operational assignments include a junior officer tour with VFA-137, department head tour with VFA-105, and executive and commanding officer tours with VFA-87.  He served as executive officer of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), and commanded USS Denver (LPD-9).  He served as chief of staff for Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa prior to commanding USS George Washington (CVN-73), the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier.

Personal awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (with Combat Distinguishing Device and First Strike Flight devices), Air Force Aerial Achievement Medal and several other personal and service awards.  He was conferred the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star by the Emperor of Japan.  He was the 1999 Michael J. Hoff Attack Aviator of the Year, Vice Admiral Behrens award winner at Naval Nuclear Power Training Command and 2014 Tailhook Association  “Tailhooker of the Year”.  He has earned Battle Efficiency Awards while commanding VFA-87, USS Denver, and consecutive awards while commanding USS George Washington.

Last Updated: 10 January 2022