Co-Chair, CSIS Commission on Smart Global Health Policy
Admiral, U.S. Navy (Retired)
Center for International Studies, MIT

In 2008, William J. Fallon retired as a four star Admiral after a distinguished 40 year career of military and strategic leadership. He has led U.S. and Allied forces in eight separate commands and played a leadership role in military and diplomatic matters at the highest levels of the U.S. government.

As head of U.S. Central Command, Admiral Fallon directed all U.S. military operations in the Middle East, Central Asia and Horn of Africa, focusing on combat efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.  He also led the U.S. Pacific Command for two years, directing political-military activities in the Asia-Pacific region.  His achievements include a resumption of military engagement with China, new outreach to India, a new agreement on a strategic framework with Japan, and humanitarian assistance to the victims of the 2004 Tsunami in SE Asia.  He also served as Presidential Envoy to Japan, handling bi-lateral relations after the collision of a U.S. submarine and a Japanese fishing vessel.

On 9/11, Admiral Fallon was serving in the Pentagon as Vice Chief of the Navy.  He personally directed the recovery of the Navy staff in the wake of the attack and led in the planning of the retaliatory attacks on Al Qaeda and Taliban forces in Afghanistan.  Admiral Fallon directed the planning of the $124 billion Navy budget and management of 380,000 personnel.  He later commanded the U.S. Atlantic Fleet and U.S. Fleet Forces Command, with responsibility for the readiness of U.S. Naval forces worldwide.

Beginning as a combat aviator flying from a carrier during the Vietnam War, he participated in many vital U.S. military operations.  He led a Carrier Air Wing in combat during the Gulf War of 1991, and commanded a Navy Battle Group and the U.S. 6th Fleet Battle Force during NATO military operations in Bosnia.

Admiral Fallon is a graduate of Villanova University, the U.S. Naval War College, the National War College, and has an MA in International Studies from Old Dominion University.  In addition to his private consulting business, he serves on the Global Affairs Advisory Board of Occidental College as well as several corporate boards.  He has lectured at many academic institutions and has contributed to the Opinion section of the New York Times.  Admiral Fallon is currently a Robert E. Wilhelm Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Center for International Studies.

Admiral Fallon and Mary, his wife of 40 years, are the parents of four children; Susan, Barbara, William, a serving naval officer, and Christina.  They have two grandchildren.  When they have free time, Bill and Mary Fallon visit their vacation home in Montana, where they enjoy hiking, fishing, reading history and the company of good friends.

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