Holly Graf
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Holly Ann Graf
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| File:US Captain Holly Graf.jpg | |
| Born | Simsbury, Connecticut |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1985-2010 |
| Rank |  Captain |
| Commands held | USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81) USS Cowpens (CG-63) |
| Battles/wars | Operation Iraqi Freedom |
| Awards | Legion of Merit Bronze Star Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal (with one gold star). |
Holly Ann Graf is a retired Captain in the United States Navy. Until January 2010 she was commanding officer of the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG-63), a major surface combatant vessel of the fleet. She was the first woman to command a cruiser in the history of the U.S. Navy. Earlier, she had been the first woman in the U.S. Navy to command a destroyer when she served as skipper of the guided missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81). Her personal decorations include the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star, among others.[1]
Contents
Early life
Graf grew up in Simsbury, Connecticut to a family with a long history of naval service. Her father is a retired Captain and Submarine Officer in the U.S. Navy, and her sister, Robin L. Graf, is currently a Rear Admiral (LH) in the Navy Reserve.[2] Graf graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1985. Most of her colleagues at the time believed she was well on her way to flag rank.[3]
She holds a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College and an additional Master's degree in civil engineering from Villanova University.[4]
Graf's previous billets include Auxiliaries Officer and First Division Officer on the USS Puget Sound (AD-38). Graf was also the Weapons Officer on the USS Ainsworth (FF-1090) and executive officer on the USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54). She was subsequently promoted to commander and served as commanding officer of the USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81) from 20 April 2002 to 6 February 2004. During this deployment, she participated in the opening stages of Operation Iraqi Freedom. She was promoted to captain in 2007.[5] Graf then served as the assistant operations officer in the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) carrier strike group. From 20 March 2008 to 13 January 2010, Graf was the commanding officer of the USS Cowpens, based in Yokosuka, Japan.[1][6][7]
Relieved of command
On 13 January 2010, Graf was relieved of command of USS Cowpens by Rear Admiral Kevin Donegan, commander of Carrier Strike Group Five, as non-judicial punishment stemming from an admiral's mast. The punishment followed an investigation which verified allegations of cruelty and maltreatment of her crew, and conduct unbecoming an officer.[5][6][8]
Later career
Graf was slated to take a job at the Office of Information, Plans and Strategy (N3/N5) at the Pentagon after leaving the Cowpens.[6] However, after losing her command, Graf was reassigned to the Naval Surface Warfare Center's laboratory in Dahlgren, Virginia.[3]
A board of inquiry composed of three admirals held hearings regarding her conduct in November 2010.[9] On December 3, 2010, the board of inquiry recommended that Graf be separated from the Navy and receive a retirement under general circumstances so she could be allowed to retire with the rank of Captain. General discharges (or a "General" characterization to retiring commissioned officers) are given to service members whose performance is satisfactory but is marked by a considerable departure in duty performance and conduct expected of military members.[10] On January 6, 2012, this decision was reversed and Graf will be allowed to receive an honorable service characterization as a retired officer, as it was, "...determined that her conduct did not rise to a level sufficient to warrant the characterization of her service as less than honorable."[11]
Military awards
Graf's awards include:
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| Command at Sea insignia | Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge | ||
| Surface Warfare insignia | |||
| Legion of Merit | Bronze Star | Defense Meritorious Service Medal | |
References
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