Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Vice Admiral Cebrowski Obituary
Department of Defense Press Release | November 16, 2005 | Unknown

Posted on 11/18/2005 11:42:49 AM PST by Natty Bumppo@frontier.net

Arthur Karl Cebrowski 1942 – 2005

Vice Admiral Arthur K. Cebrowski USN (ret), died on 12 November 2005, surrounded by his beloved family. He was 63 years old, and had endured a long fight with cancer.

Vice Admiral Cebrowski served his country for over forty years and dedicated his life to faith and family. Arthur Cebrowski was best known as the father of Network Centric Warfare, the intellectual and conceptual underpinnings for modern warfare in the information age. He wrote and lectured extensively and was regarded as one of the nation’s principle National Security futurists and the intellectual leader of a movement that transformed the Department of Defense in an age of radical change and uncertainty.

Vice Admiral Cebrowski solidified his position as a leading defense intellectual as the President of the Naval War College from July 1998 to September 2001. During his tenure he reshaped the course of Naval and Defense Strategy. Upon his retirement in 2001, he was appointed by the Secretary of Defense as the first Director, Force Transformation. As Director, Admiral Cebrowski was the focal point and catalyst for implementing the President and Secretary of Defense’s vision for defense transformation. He brilliantly linked transformation to strategic functions, evaluated the transformational efforts of the Military Departments, and recommended steps to integrate numerous transformational activities. He reestablished the linkages between force building and force operations and uniquely brought together operational concepts with emerging technologies.

VADM Cebrowski was born in Passaic, New Jersey and was raised and schooled in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey. He was graduated from Villanova University in 1964, received his Masters Degree in Computer Systems Management from the Naval Post Graduate School in 1972 and attended the Naval War College (Strategic Studies Group) in 1981. He entered the Navy through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps in 1964 so he could be a Navy pilot. As a naval aviator he commanded Fighter Squadron 41 and Carrier Air Wing EIGHT, both embarked in USS NIMITZ (CVN 68). He later commanded the assault ship USS GUAM (LPH 9). During Desert Storm, he commanded the aircraft carrier USS MIDWAY (CV 41). Following promotion to flag rank, he became Commander, Carrier Group SIX and Commander, AMERICA Battle Group.

As a young naval aviator he flew 154 combat missions during his two tours in Vietnam. In addition to combat deployments to Vietnam and the Persian Gulf, he deployed in support of United Nations operations in Iraq, Somalia and Bosnia. Admiral Cebrowski flew multiple aircraft, principally fighters, from several carriers and deployed to all ocean areas. His tours of duty included service with the US Air Force; the staff of Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic Fleet; the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations on four occasions; and with the Joint Staff as Director for Command, Control, Communications and Computers (J6). Vice Admiral Cebrowski’s personal decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Distinguished Service Medal, five awards of the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, two Meritorious Service Medals, ten Air Medals and two Navy Commendation Medals with combat “V”. He was also the 1991 winner of the John Paul Jones Award for Inspirational Leadership.

Vice Admiral Cebrowski’s influence and analysis contributed directly to improved Naval and Defense Force structure. His vision helped institute resolute policies, processes and examples that profoundly enhanced the strategic posture of our nation.

Admiral Cebrowski’s decades’ long leadership provided the Department of Defense and the nation with the means to face unknown challenges for years to come. He fathered and nurtured the most compelling new thoughts in warfare in the last century and provided the intellectual foundation and a strategic framework with modern solutions for the issues of our time.

Sailors will be eternally grateful for the intellectual vigor that he instilled in their hearts – future generations and countless allies will bear witness to the freedom he helped secure on their behalf. His family and many friends will sorely miss his wisdom and grace; the Naval Service will miss his integrity and stewardship; and our nation will miss his courage and counsel.

Arthur Cebrowski was a devout Roman Catholic and invested much of his time and energy into the church, his family and his community. He is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Kathryn; by his mother and father John and Helen; by his two daughters, Kristin and Julie; his brother and sister John and Carol; and by seven grandchildren.

Funeral Mass was held at St. John the Evangelist in Warrenton, VA on 15 November 2005. A Memorial Service will be held at 1045 on 09 January 2006 at the Ft. Myer Old Post Chapel followed by internment with Full Honors in Arlington National Cemetery.


TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: New Jersey; US: Virginia
KEYWORDS: cebrowski; obituary; usn; vietnamveteran

1 posted on 11/18/2005 11:42:50 AM PST by Natty Bumppo@frontier.net
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Natty Bumppo@frontier.net

Fair Winds and Following Seas Admiral, Well Done! Condolences to your family.


2 posted on 11/18/2005 11:47:48 AM PST by docman57 (Retired but still on Duty)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Natty Bumppo@frontier.net

He will be missed. Fair winds and following seas.

/s/ Tom Glover CDR USN(Ret)


3 posted on 11/18/2005 11:53:24 AM PST by tgusa (Gun control: deep breath, sight alignment, squeeze the trigger .....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Natty Bumppo@frontier.net
I'm devastated.

I was a friend and classmate of Artie's brother John in high school.Life being a series of coincidences found me serving under then CAPT Cebrowski when he was CAG on the Nimitz. My squadron CO was interested that he had a CPO in his command who knew the CAG well, not that any political intrigues ever ensued.

My prayers are with his family.Artie knew his stuff and will be missed.

4 posted on 11/18/2005 12:54:44 PM PST by oldsalt (There's no such thing as a free lunch.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson