CAPTAIN JAMES W. O'CONNELL - anahq.org

1 CAPTAIN JAMES W. O'CONNELL . CAPTAIN O'CONNELL was born 3 April 1956 in New York, New York. He graduated with distinction from the Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering and was commissioned an Ensign in May 1979. CAPTAIN O'CONNELL completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training in 1982 after an initial tour on USS. HULL (DD 945), where he served as Main Propulsion Officer and Combat Information Center Officer and qualified as a Surface Warfare Officer. His tours in Naval Special Warfare include Platoon Commander in Underwater Demolition Team ELEVEN, Platoon Commander and Training Officer in SEAL. Team FIVE, Operations Officer in SEAL Team FOUR, Executive Officer in SEAL Team TWO, Commanding Officer in SEAL Team ONE, and Tactical Development Team Leader, Operations Officer, Chief Staff Officer and Deputy Commander at the Naval Special Warfare Development Group.

2 He also served as the Maritime Representative of the Future Plans Directorate at the Joint Special Operations Command. CAPTAIN O'CONNELL was the Naval Special Warfare Branch Head on the Chief of Naval Operations Staff in Washington, prior to assuming command of Naval Special Warfare Group ONE in Coronado, California on 1 August 2003. His service overseas include s deployments to the Western Pacific and Mediterranean, assignment to the Military Group in El Salvador, participation in Operation EARNEST. WILL in the Persian Gulf, Operation JUST CAUSE in Panama, Operation DESERT. STORM in the Middle East, Operation PROVIDE PROMISE in the Adriatic, Operation SUPPORT DEMOCRACY off Haiti and Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI. FREEDOM. CAPTAIN O'CONNELL is a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College, an honors graduate of the Defense Language Institute, and was awarded a Master of Arts degree with distinction in National Security and Strategic Studies from the College of Naval Command and Staff.

3 His service decorations include: the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and various campaign and unit awards. CAPTAIN O'CONNELL and his wife, Kathy, have a daughter, Katie and a son, JAMES .