Rear Adm. Oliver "Ollie" Lewis

Rear Admiral Ollie Lewis is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and a 1991 cum laude graduate from Boston University with a degree in Mathematics. During his career, he earned a master’s degree in Engineering Management from Catholic University of America, completed the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI, and was designated as a Joint Qualified Officer.

His operational tours include USS Montpelier (SSN 765); USS PITTSBURGH (SSN 720); and USS NEWPORT NEWS (SSN 750). He commanded USS SAN JUAN (SSN 751) and served as the commodore of Submarine Squadron Twelve in Groton, Connecticut.

He currently serves as Director of Maritime Operations for Naval Forces Europe and Africa, Deputy Commander, U.S. SIXTH Fleet, and Commander, Submarine Group EIGHT, responsible for the operational oversight and readiness management of forward deployed maritime forces in support of the Commander, U.S. European Command, and Commander, U.S. Africa Command. Ashore, he most recently served on the Joint Staff as a Deputy Director for Political-Military Affairs for Europe, NATO, and Russia. Earlier assignments include executive assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations, executive secretary to the Secretary of Defense, division chief for Joint Staff, Program and Budget Analysis, Prospective Commanding Officer instructor for the Submarine Command Course, as well as an appropriations matters adviser on the Joint Staff, squadron material officer for Commander, Submarine Squadron Eight, and a requirements officer on the Chief of Naval Operations staff.

He is most proud of the unit commendations and awards that reflect the superb teams he has led and served alongside over the course of five overseas deployments, including three Battle Efficiency “E” awards, two Navy Unit Commendations, and three Meritorious Unit Commendations. His personal awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (two awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), and the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), among others.