David Buss (United States Navy)

US Navy admiral (born 1956)

David H. Buss

Born|  (1956-02-18) February 18, 1956 (age 69)
Allegiance| United States
Branch| United States Navy
Years of service| 1978–2015
Rank| Vice Admiral
Commands| Naval Air Forces
Task Force 20
Carrier Strike Group 12
USS John C. Stennis
USS Sacramento (AOE-1)
Attack Squadron 34
Battles / wars| Gulf War
Iraq War
Awards| Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit (5)
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star Medal

David H. Buss[1] (born February 18, 1956) is a native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania and a retired[2] vice admiral of the United States Navy. His last assignment was as Commander, Naval Air Forces and Commander, Naval Air Force, Pacific in San Diego, California, a position also known as the Navy's "Air Boss."[3][4] Prior to taking command as the "Air Boss," Buss served as the Deputy Commander, United States Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia. He also commanded Task Force 20 (formerly United States Second Fleet), where he was responsible for training and certifying all Atlantic Fleet naval forces for overseas deployment. A career Naval Flight Officer, Buss served in multiple jet squadrons and staff assignments, and has commanded at every level of the navy from commander to vice admiral.

Buss was succeeded as Commander, Naval Air Forces and Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific by Vice Admiral Mike Shoemaker in January 2015.[2]

## Educational background

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* United States Naval Academy, 1978,[3] Bachelor of Science (Physics)
* United States Navy Nuclear Propulsion training, 1997
* University of North Carolina, Kenan-Flagler Business School, 2007 (Exec. Ed)

## Previous assignments

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Buss commanded the A-6 Intruder squadron, Attack Squadron 34 (1995–96); the fast combat support ship USS Sacramento (AOE-1) (2000–01); the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) (2003–06); and Carrier Strike Group 12, the USS Enterprise Carrier Strike Group (2009–10).

Buss also served in Baghdad, Iraq (2008–09) as Director, Strategy/Plans/Assessments (J-5) for Multi-National Force Iraq (MNF-I) where he oversaw the planning effort for the initial troop draw down from the height of the 2007–08 surge.

## Awards and decorations

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Buss is authorized to wear the following:[3]

Badges

| Naval Flight Officer insignia
| U.S. military decorations

| Navy Distinguished Service Medal with a gold award star

| Legion of Merit with 4 gold award stars

| Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat V
| Bronze Star Medal
| Defense Meritorious Service Medal

| Meritorious Service Medal with a gold award star
| Air Medal with Combat V, 3 individual gold stars and Strike/Flight numerals "4"

| Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat V and four gold award stars
| Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal

| Navy Unit Commendation with a bronze service star
| Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
| Navy "E" Ribbon (awarded three times)
| Navy Expeditionary Medal

| National Defense Service Medal with a bronze service star
| Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

| Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze service stars

| Iraq Campaign Medal with a bronze star
| Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
| Armed Forces Service Medal

| Sea Service Ribbon with six bronze service stars
Non-U.S. service medals
| NATO Medal
Foreign military decorations
| Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
| Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

## References

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1. ^ "The Hook – Journal of Carrier Aviation"[permanent dead link] Tailhook Association. Vol.40, Number 3. Published Fall 2012.
2. ^ a b "Naval Air Forces Holds Change of Command". U.S. Naval Air Forces. Archived from the original on 8 March 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
3. ^ a b c Steele, Jeanette (17 April 2012). "Pentagon names Navy's next 'air boss'". U-T San Diego. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
4. ^ The U.S. Navy's Newest Aircraft Carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), 2015-05-31.

## External links

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to David H. Buss.

* Profile Archived 2012-12-13 at the Wayback Machine from United States Navy website