Leon A. Edney
Encyclopedia
Leon Albert "Bud" Edney (born March 1, 1935) is a retired United States Navy
officer
. A native of Dedham, Massachusetts
, he retired from the Navy as an admiral
and served as Vice Chief of Naval Operations
for the United States Navy
.
in 1957, following his graduation from the United States Naval Academy
.
In 1989, Edney helped preside over and supported the Navy's first investigation into the USS Iowa turret explosion
. The Navy's conclusions in that investigation were later criticized and discredited by Congress and by an independent review by the Government Accounting Office and Sandia National Laboratories
. He is also one of the few naval officers in the US Navy to hold the short-lived rank of Commodore Admiral
.
In May 1990, Edney assumed duties as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic
and Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Command
. He retired from that position in August 1992.
and the National Defense University
. In April 1997 Charles R. Larson
selected Edney to fill the post of Distinguished Professor of Leadership at the United States Naval Academy
. In this position, Edney was charged with "teaching core leadership and ethics courses and promoting moral development and leadership education" to academy students.
In addition to his duties as a Capstone Senior Fellow
, Admiral Edney serves as a Senior Fellow at the Center for Naval Analyses
, and is Director of the Armed Forces Benefit Services, Inc. and The Retired Officers Association. He has also in recent years been awarded government contracts to perform education services for the National Defense University
.http://www.governmentcontractswon.com/department/defense/leon_a_edney_092917876.asp?yr=04
Admiral Edney serves on the Board of Advisors for the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs
.http://www.jinsa.org/about/adboard/adboard.html?documentid=718
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
officer
Officer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
. A native of Dedham, Massachusetts
Dedham, Massachusetts
Dedham is a town in and the county seat of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 24,729 at the 2010 census. It is located on Boston's southwest border. On the northwest it is bordered by Needham, on the southwest by Westwood and on the southeast by...
, he retired from the Navy as an admiral
Admiral (United States)
In the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard and the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, admiral is a four-star flag officer rank, with the pay grade of O-10. Admiral ranks above vice admiral and below Fleet Admiral in the Navy; the Coast Guard and the Public Health...
and served as Vice Chief of Naval Operations
Vice Chief of Naval Operations
The Vice Chief of Naval Operations is the second highest ranking officer in the United States Navy. In the event that the Chief of Naval Operations is absent or is unable to perform his duties, the VCNO assumes the duties and responsibilities of the CNO. The VCNO may also perform other duties...
for the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
.
Naval career
Edney was commissioned as an ensignEnsign
An ensign is a national flag when used at sea, in vexillology, or a distinguishing token, emblem, or badge, such as a symbol of office in heraldry...
in 1957, following his graduation from the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
.
In 1989, Edney helped preside over and supported the Navy's first investigation into the USS Iowa turret explosion
USS Iowa turret explosion
The USS Iowa turret explosion occurred in the Number Two 16-inch gun turret of the United States Navy battleship USS Iowa on April 19, 1989. The explosion in the center gun room killed 47 of the turret's crewmen and severely damaged the gun turret itself...
. The Navy's conclusions in that investigation were later criticized and discredited by Congress and by an independent review by the Government Accounting Office and Sandia National Laboratories
Sandia National Laboratories
The Sandia National Laboratories, managed and operated by the Sandia Corporation , are two major United States Department of Energy research and development national laboratories....
. He is also one of the few naval officers in the US Navy to hold the short-lived rank of Commodore Admiral
Commodore Admiral
Commodore Admiral was a short lived military rank of the United States Navy that existed for less than 11 months during the year 1982. The rank of Commodore Admiral was established as the Navy's one-star admiral rank after nearly forty years of all Navy captains receiving promotion directly to the...
.
In May 1990, Edney assumed duties as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic
Supreme Allied Commander
Supreme Allied Commander is the title held by the most senior commander within certain multinational military alliances. It originated as a term used by the Western Allies during World War II, and is currently used only within NATO. Dwight Eisenhower served as Supreme Commander Allied Expeditionary...
and Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Command
United States Joint Forces Command
United States Joint Forces Command was a former Unified Combatant Command of the United States Armed Forces. USJFCOM was a functional command that provided specific services to the military. The last commander was Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno...
. He retired from that position in August 1992.
Civilian Activities
Edney retired in August 1992 and was appointed as an éminence grise for the Center for Naval AnalysesCenter for Naval Analyses
CNA's Center for Naval Analyses is a federally funded research and development center for the Navy and the Marine Corps. It also provides research and analysis services to other military and government agencies to help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of U.S...
and the National Defense University
National Defense University
The National Defense University is an institution of higher education funded by the United States Department of Defense, intended to facilitate high-level training, education, and the development of national security strategy. It is chartered by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, with Navy Vice Admiral...
. In April 1997 Charles R. Larson
Charles R. Larson
Charles R. Larson is a retired four-star Admiral of the United States Navy.-Military career:A 1958 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Larson twice served as Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He also served as Commander in Chief, United States Pacific...
selected Edney to fill the post of Distinguished Professor of Leadership at the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
. In this position, Edney was charged with "teaching core leadership and ethics courses and promoting moral development and leadership education" to academy students.
In addition to his duties as a Capstone Senior Fellow
CAPSTONE Military Leadership Program
CAPSTONE is a joint service professional military education courses for newly promoted brigadier generals and rear admirals serving in the United States military. The National Defense University conducts the CAPSTONE course at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, DC...
, Admiral Edney serves as a Senior Fellow at the Center for Naval Analyses
Center for Naval Analyses
CNA's Center for Naval Analyses is a federally funded research and development center for the Navy and the Marine Corps. It also provides research and analysis services to other military and government agencies to help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of U.S...
, and is Director of the Armed Forces Benefit Services, Inc. and The Retired Officers Association. He has also in recent years been awarded government contracts to perform education services for the National Defense University
National Defense University
The National Defense University is an institution of higher education funded by the United States Department of Defense, intended to facilitate high-level training, education, and the development of national security strategy. It is chartered by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, with Navy Vice Admiral...
.http://www.governmentcontractswon.com/department/defense/leon_a_edney_092917876.asp?yr=04
Admiral Edney serves on the Board of Advisors for the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs
Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs
The Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs is a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit think-tank focusing on issues of United States and Israel in national security. JINSA's stated aim is threefold: to ensure a strong and effective U.S...
.http://www.jinsa.org/about/adboard/adboard.html?documentid=718