September 18, 2009
Hispanic Americans have served in our Navy throughout our nation's history. They have fought at sea in every American war. They have served as ordinary seamen, 4-star admirals, boatswains, corpsmen, fighter pilots, physicians, nuclear engineers, and policymakers. They have stood not on the fringes of the service, but at its center, as makers of American naval history.
Rear Admiral Jay A. DeLoach, USN (Ret.) was born in San Diego, Calif., and followed in the family tradition of Naval Service – both his grandfather and father were Chief Petty Officers. Following graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1978, he entered service in submarines and completed ten strategic deterrent patrols on three strategic ballistic missile submarines. From 1987-89, he was the Sonar Transducer Branch Chief at the Naval Sea Systems Command. Upon completing active duty, he affiliated with the Navy Reserve and served in a broad spectrum of assignments, including Naval Intelligence, OPNAV N87 Submarine Warfare staff, Navy Recruiting, COMSEVENTHFLT staff, and Naval Sea Systems Command Inspector General. Rear Admiral DeLoach commanded NR COMSUBRON SIX Detachment 504, NR OPNAV Detachment Site-R, and NR COMSEVENTHFLT Detachment 111. He stood additional duty as a Duty Captain in the Navy Command Center in the Pentagon. He completed two extended active duty assignments with the Joint Staff J7 working on Joint Doctrine and Professional Military Education initiatives. His flag assignments included Deputy Commander, Submarine Forces, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; Director of the Submarine Reserves; Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Resources, Requirements and Assessments (OPNAV N8R); and Vice Chairman, National Naval Reserve Policy Board. Rear Admiral DeLoach has earned three advanced degrees: MA in National Security and Strategic Studies from Naval War College; MEng in Nuclear Engineering from University of Virginia; and MA in Management and Supervision from Central Michigan University. He also served as an adjunct professor for the Naval War College teaching Joint Maritime Operations. In his civilian capacity, he was a Senior Staff member of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board in Washington, D.C. from 1990-2008. In September 2003, Rear Admiral DeLoach was appointed an Honorary Chief Petty Officer by MCPON Terry Scott. His personal military decorations include Legion of Merit (2), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (3), Navy Achievement Medal (3), and Gold Wreath for Recruiting Excellence (5). He was selected to Who's Who in Executives and Professionals for 2002, 2003, and 2004. He is a member of several professional societies, including the Association of Naval Service Officers, Naval Historical Foundation, Naval War College Foundation, U.S. Naval Institute, and Naval Submarine League, and U.S. Naval Order. In June 23, 2008, Rear Admiral DeLoach became the director, Naval History & Heritage Command, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C.