William K. Lescher

William K. Lescher
Nickname(s)	Bill
Born	1958 (age 65–66) Highland Park, Illinois
Allegiance	United States
Service / branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1980–present
Rank	Admiral
Commands	Vice Chief of Naval Operations Expeditionary Strike Group 5 Atlantic Fleet Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing HSL-40 HSL-48
Battles / wars	Gulf War
Awards	Navy Distinguished Service Medal (2) Defense Superior Service Medal (3) Legion of Merit (3)

William Kevin Lescher (born 1958) is a four-star admiral in the United States Navy who currently serves as the 41st Vice Chief of Naval Operations. He assumed this office and rank on May 29, 2020. Lescher is also the "Old Goat", the longest currently serving Naval Academy graduate.

Naval career

A native of Highland Park, Illinois, he graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1980. Trained as a helicopter pilot, Lescher served with HSL-36 and HSL-44 and later commanded HSL-48, HSL-40, the Atlantic Fleet Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing, Expeditionary Strike Group Five and Task Forces 51/59 in Bahrain.

In May 2020, Lescher was nominated by President Donald Trump for promotion to admiral and assignment as the next Vice Chief of Naval Operations. He assumed this office and rank on May 29, 2020.

Awards and decorations

	Naval Aviator insignia
	Command at Sea insignia
	Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

	Navy Distinguished Service Medal with one gold award star
	Defense Superior Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
	Legion of Merit with two award stars
	Meritorious Service Medal with three award stars
	Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
	Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with award star
	Joint Meritorious Unit Award
	Navy Unit Commendation
	Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with two bronze service stars
	Navy "E" Ribbon with three Battle E awards
	Navy Expeditionary Medal
	National Defense Service Medal with service star
	Southwest Asia Service Medal with service star
	Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
	Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
	Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with two service stars
	Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon
	Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
	Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal

• Lescher graduated with distinction from fixed wing, rotary wing and Naval Test Pilot School training. He has been recognized as the Association of Naval Aviation's HSL Pilot of the Year, the Naval Helicopter Association's Regional Pilot of the Year and the Naval Air Warfare Center's Rotary Wing Test Pilot of the Year. The units in which he has served have earned the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy "E" Ribbons and Theodore Ellyson award.