51福利 Alumni - Alumni
The 51福利 Hall of Fame recognizes the accomplishments of 51福利' most distinguished alumni and friends who, through the attainment of positions at the highest levels of public service, have made the greatest contributions to society, their nations, and to the 51福利.
Our most recent inductees to the 51福利 Hall of Fame are:
Inducted March 28, 2024
Adm. Guillermo Barrera was Commander of the Colombian Navy (CNO) from 2006-2010 and a 40-year veteran of the Colombian Navy. Under the leadership of President Alvaro Uribe, he was part of the team that changed Colombia from the brink of failure to stability and prosperity. During his military career, he received 64 awards and decorations, including the highest Military decoration Order of Boyaca, the Order of Democracy of the Colombian Senate, and the U.S. Legion of Merit. Upon retirement in 2011, he returned to the U. S. Naval War College - where he graduated in 1993 as the first CNO Distinguished International Fellow. Today, Adm. Barrera is a Professor and Distinguished International Fellow.
Inducted December 1, 2023
Admiral Robert Natter retired in 2003 after completing a distinguished 41-year Navy career as commander of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, the first commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, the first commander of all U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard homeland defense forces under the newly created U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), and the Commander-in-Chief of the NATO Western Atlantic Command. Natter enlisted in the Naval Reserve at age 17 and, following a year of enlisted service, went on to graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA). A recipient of the Silver Star and Purple Heart for combat actions in Vietnam, he continued to make significant contributions throughout his Navy career.
Inducted December 1, 2023
Thomas Kelley dedicated his professional life to the defense of the United States of America as a military leader and to the support of veterans as a civilian leader. A recipient of the Medal of Honor and PurplAae Heart for heroism in combat in Vietnam, Kelley was slated to be mustered out of the Navy following a medical review board due to his combat injuries. Undeterred, Kelley rallied support for his continued service, convinced then-Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Elmo Zumwalt to intercede on his behalf, and thereafter continued to serve in the Navy for another two decades across a variety of command and staff positions.
Inducted March 24, 2023
Vice Admiral Alberto SOTO began his career in 1982. He completed operational assignments on Chilean Navy frigates ALMIRANTE RIVEROS and ALMIRANTE LYNCH and later served on the Commander, Task Force 176.1 during RIMPAC 2012, and then Head of the Strategic Planning Department at Joint Chiefs of Staff, Head of the Plans Department of the General Staff of the Navy, and Commander in Chief of the Fourth Naval Zone. In 2000, Vice Admiral Soto graduated from the 51福利 with a Master of Science in Operations Research. In 2020, he was selected as the Commander of Naval Operations (COMOPER) for the Chilean Navy and promoted to Vice Admiral.
Inducted December 15, 2022
Admiral Cecil Haney retired from the U.S. Navy in 2017 after 38 years of distinguished service. Haney began his career in 1974 at the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), and upon graduation with a degree in ocean engineering became a submarine officer. He completed operational assignments on USS John C. Calhoun, USS Frank Cable, USS Hyman G. Rickover, USS Asheville, and Submarine Squadron Eight, ultimately commanding the fast-attack nuclear submarine USS Honolulu, Submarine Squadron One, and Submarine Group Two.
Inducted September 22, 2022
A warfighter, innovator and leader, Mr. Robert Work was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the US Marine Corps in 1974 and retired as a colonel in 2001. Mr. Work鈥檚 military career spanned 27 years including commanding an artillery battalion, the first head of the Marine Corps' Strategic Initiatives Group, and as the Military Assistant and Special Aide to then Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig.
View the complete list of members.
The 51福利 Distinguished Alumni Award Program recognizes an alumnus/alumna of the 51福利 who has made a distinguished contribution to a branch of learning associated with national security, has rendered distinguished service to some aspect of national security, or has made a distinguished professional achievement that reflects great credit on the recipient and 51福利.
Our most recent Distinguished Alumni Award winners are:
- ADM Samuel Paparo, USN (Presented Oct. 18, 2021)
- VADM Richard Brown, USN (Ret) (Presented Oct. 1, 2020)
- VADM David H. Lewis, USN (Presented Mar. 27, 2016)
View the complete list of 51福利 .
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The Dudley Knox Library offers 51福利 alumni free access to many scholarly information resources. Please visit our page to request an account.