David Elmer Jeremiah (February 25, 1934 – October 7, 2013) was an American admiral who served as the second vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1990 to 1994. He was also the acting chairman in 1993. After his retirement from the Navy in February 1994, he worked in the field of investment banking. He served as partner and President, CEO and later Chairman of Technology Strategies & Alliances Corporation, a strategic advisory and investment banking firm engaged primarily in the aerospace, defense, telecommunications, and electronics industries.

Early life and education Jeremiah was born in Portland, Oregon, on February 25, 1934. He earned a bachelor's degree in Business administration from the University of Oregon and a master's degree in Financial Management from George Washington University. He completed the Program for Management Development at Harvard Business School.

Career Jeremiah served four years as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for Generals Colin L. Powell and John Shalikashvili. He participated in post-Cold War military as Commander in Chief of the United States Pacific Fleet from 1987 to 1991.

He commanded a task force, battle group and destroyer squadron in earlier tours in the Mediterranean. He served as commanding officer of the guided missile destroyer (DDG 46) from 1974 to 1976. After being promoted to Captain, he commanded Destroyer Squadron 24 from 1979-1980. As a Rear Admiral he commanded Cruiser-Destroyer Group Eight from August 1984-April 1986. In October 1985 he directed the attempt to capture the hijackers of the and in April 1986 led combat operations against Libya in the Gulf of Sidra. Ashore, Jeremiah served as Director, Navy Program Planning and in financial planning positions on the staffs of the Secretary of Defense and Chief of Naval Operations. In 1987 he was promoted to Admiral and selected as Commander in Chief of the US Pacific Fleet.

In March 1990, he was named the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff under Chairman General Colin Powell.

Dates of rank Ensign March 30, 1956Lieutenant (junior grade) September 30, 1957Lieutenant May 1, 1960Lieutenant Commander May 1, 1965Commander September 1, 1969Captain April 1, 1977Commodore October 1, 1983Rear Admiral April 1, 1985Vice Admiral July 1, 1986Admiral October 1, 1987

Awards and decorations +Defense Distinguished Service MedalNavy Distinguished Service Medal (with three gold stars)Distinguished Service Medal (Army)Legion of Merit (with one gold star)Meritorious Service Medal (with one gold star)Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (with bronze V device)Navy Unit Commendation (with bronze star)Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (with bronze star)Navy Expeditionary MedalNational Defense Service MedalVietnam Service Medal (with one silver and two bronze stars)Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (with two bronze stars) RVN Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with palm and frameRVN Campaign Medal with 1960- deviceForeign Awards and DecorationsOrder of the Crown of ThailandOrder of National Security Merit (Tongil Medal)Order of National Security Merit (Samil Medal)

Organizational affiliations Jeremiah was Chairman of the Board of Directors of Wackenhut Services, Inc. and served on the Boards of Directors for Geobiotics, LLC, Todd Shipyards Corporation, ManTech International Corporation and the Board of Trustees for MITRE Corporation and In-Q-Tel and advisory boards for Northrop Grumman Corporation and the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs.

In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Jeremiah served as a member of the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board, the George Bush Presidential Library Advisory Council and a National Reconnaissance Office Advisory Panel.

Death Jeremiah died on October 7, 2013, at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, aged 79. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

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U.S. Dpt. of State - American Embassy - Canberra Australia - Admiral David E. Jeremiah AO, U.S.N. (Retired) Named Presidential Representative to the 60th Anniversary Ceremonies of the Battle of Coral Sea Board of Trustees - Admiral David E. Jeremiah The Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs University of Oregon - awards Profile – David E. Jeremiah