Topic: William J. Fallon

nickname= Fox

William Joseph Fallon, (born December 30, 1944), was a four-star admiral in the United States Navy who retired after serving for over 41 years. He served as Commander of the U.S. Central Command from March 2007 to March 2008. ADM Fallon was the first naval officer to hold that position. His other four-star assignments include Commander, U.S. Pacific Command from February 2005 to March 2007, Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command from October 2003 to February 2005, and 31st Vice Chief of Naval Operations from October 2000 to August 2003. On March 11, 2008, he announced his resignation from CENTCOM and retirement from active duty, citing administrative complications caused in part by an article in Esquire Magazine, which described him as the only thing standing between the Bush Administration and war with Iran.

Fallon was born in East Orange, New Jersey and raised in Merchantville, New Jersey. He earned a diploma from Camden Catholic High School in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. A 1967 graduate of Villanova University, he received his commission through the Navy ROTC Program and was designated a Naval Flight Officer upon completion of flight training in December 1967.