Rear Adm. Polatty is a native of Annapolis, Maryland.  He proudly served our country for 35 years. He started his naval career at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois. He attended the Naval Academy Prep School and is a 1971 graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy. He graduated with highest distinction from the U. S. Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island and the NATO Defense College, Rome, Italy.

Polatty’s first sea duty prior to flight training was aboard USS Holder (DD 819). Upon completion of flight training, he was designated a naval flight officer in 1972. He trained as a bombardier/navigator in the A-6 Intruder, later serving subsequent shore, squadron and sea duty tours with VA-75 aboard USS Saratoga (CV 60); as a flight instructor with VA-42; with VA-34 aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67); aide and executive assistant to the President, U. S. Naval War College; operations officer CVW-8 aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68); and as medium attack readiness officer for Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic Fleet.

Polatty served as commanding officer VA-115 aboard USS Midway (CV 41) forward deployed in Yokosuka, Japan; deputy commander CVW-1 aboard USS America (CV 66) during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm; commanding officer USS Milwaukee (AOR 2); and commanding officer USS Independence (CV 62) forward deployed in Yokosuka, Japan during the Taiwan Straits Crisis.

After selection to flag rank, Polatty served as deputy chief of staff for Operations, Plans, Policy and Training on the staff of Commander-in-Chief U. S. Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; commander Carrier Group ONE in San Diego, California; and as commander Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois.

Polatty’s personal military decorations include the Legion of Merit (four awards), Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” (two awards), Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Air Medal with Combat “V” (one individual, two strike/flight awards), Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V” (two awards), and various service, unit and campaign awards.

Last Updated: 9 March 2022