title: Kevin M. Donegan
text: # Kevin M. Donegan
  
  Kevin M. Donegan (born 1958) is a former United States Navy vice admiral. He last served as the Director of Navy Staff and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy. Before that, he was the commander of the United States Fifth Fleet from September 3, 2015 to September 2017. Earlier in his career, Donegan was a United States Naval Aviator and had various command roles within both operating forces and the shore establishment. He retired from the Navy on August 1, 2018.
  
  ## Education
  
  Donegan received a Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering from the University of Virginia in 1980. He also attended United States Naval Test Pilot School, where he graduated as the outstanding student, the United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program, United States Navy Nuclear Power School, the USAF Air Command and Staff College, the Joint Forces Staff College, and Harvard Kennedy School of Government's Executive Education Program in National and International Security.
  
  ## 2016 U.S-Iran naval incident
  
  Donegan presided over the capture of 10 U.S. Navy sailors by Iran's revolutionary guards on January 12, 2016. These sailors were released in 15 hours without incident.
  
  ## Awards and decorations
  
  * Naval Aviator insignia
  * Joint Staff Identification Badge
  * Navy Distinguished Service Medal with one gold award star
  * Defense Superior Service Medal
  * Legion of Merit with four award stars
  * Defense Meritorious Service Medal
  * Meritorious Service Medal with three award stars
  * Air Medal with bronze Strike/Flight numeral "1"
  * Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with award star
  * Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with award star
  * Joint Meritorious Unit Award with two bronze oak leaf clusters
  * Navy Unit Commendation with two bronze service stars
  * Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with service star
  * Navy "E" Ribbon with wreathed Battle E device
  * Navy Expeditionary Medal
  * National Defense Service Medal with service star
  * Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
  * Southwest Asia Service Medal with service star
  * Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
  * Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
  * Armed Forces Service Medal
  * Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with service star
  * Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon with service star
  * The Khalifyyeh Order of Bahrain, 1st class
  * United Nations Medal
  * NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia
  * Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
  * Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal
  