Rear Admiral Jay Donnelly, a native of Groton, Conn., and second-generation submarine
officer, entered the U.S. Naval Academy in 1971. He graduated with distinction
in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and earned a Master's of
Science degree in Engineering Acoustics from the Naval Postgraduate School in
1976.
His operational submarine assignments were aboard USS Tautog (SSN 639) as Sonar Officer, Main Propulsion Assistant and Weapons Officer and aboard USS Memphis (SSN 691) as Engineer Officer. He served as Executive Officer, USS Simon Bolivar (SSBN 641) Blue Crew before taking command of USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 709) in November, 1991. Following submarine command, Rear Adm. Donnelly served as Commanding Officer of the submarine tender USS McKee (AS 41).
Rear Adm. Donnelly’s significant shore assignments include tours as a Physics Instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy, as the Assistant for Undersea Warfare and Strategic Issues for the Chief of Naval Operation Executive Panel (OP-00K), and as the Assistant for Plans and Liaison in the Submarine Warfare Division of the Chief of Naval Operations Staff.
In May 2000, while serving as Chief of Staff for Commander Seventh Fleet, he was selected to Flag rank and subsequently served as Director of Combat Plans (J5A) and as Deputy Director for Operations and Logistics (J3/4A) at the United States Strategic Command.
Most recently, he served in Yokosuka, Japan, as Commander Submarine Group Seven, Commander Task Force Seven Four, and Commander Task Force Five Four prior to assuming duties as Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff, U.S. Pacific Fleet in July 2004.
Rear Adm. Donnelly’s personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (four awards), Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy Commendation Medal (six awards) and various unit and campaign awards.
Updated: 2 September 2004
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