BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY : AFRICAN AMERICAN VICE ADMIRAL ANTHONY L. WINNS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY : GOES INTO THE " HALL OF BLACK GENIUS"

Vice Admiral Anthony L. Winns is a native of Jacksonville, Fla., and a 1978 distinguished graduate of the United States Naval Academy. He is a recent graduate of the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and earned a Master of Science degree with distinction in Financial Management from the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, Calif.

A P-3 naval flight officer, Winns served in a variety of training and operational squadrons including Patrol Squadron 31 (VP-31), Patrol Squadron 6 (VP-6), Patrol Squadron 30 (VP-30) and Patrol Squadron 56 (VP-56). He was executive officer and commanding officer of Patrol Squadron 11 (VP-11). During his command tour, VP-11 won the Battle “E” and four consecutive Golden Wrench awards and became the first patrol squadron to employ the Maverick missile system.

Shipboard tours include the USS Forrestal (CV 59), USS Guam (LPH 9) and commanding officer of USS Essex (LHD 2) where he earned the coveted Battle “E”.

Ashore he has served in leadership positions at the Bureau of Naval Personnel, on the Navy Staff and on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

In May 2000, Winns became the first officer in his Naval Academy class to be selected for flag rank. As a flag officer he commanded Patrol and Reconnaissance Force, Pacific and Task Force 32, was the deputy for Air Warfare Requirements (N88B) and served as vice director and acting director for Operations, J-3, Joint Staff.

Winns is the 2007 Black Engineer of the Year Career Achievement in Government award winner. His military decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal and various unit, campaign and service awards.

Winns assumed his current duties as the naval inspector general in November 2007.