Biography

Rear Adm. Greg “Fence” Fenton is a native of Grand Ledge, Michigan. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering, and the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, where he earned a Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering. He also attended the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, Air Force Air War College, Joint and Combined Arms Warfighting School, and Naval Nuclear Power Training Command.

His shore assignments include serving as a flight instructor with Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106. He served two tours with the Naval Strike Aircraft Test Squadron, first as Carrier Suitability Department Head and later as Head of the Ordnance Department. He also executed the Navy’s flight tests of the Lockheed-Martin X-35C Joint Strike Fighter concept development aircraft.

Fenton served as the Navy’s Director of Operations and Plans, OPNAV N31, and later as Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan/Commander, Navy Region Japan.

His operational assignments include a junior officer tour with VFA-137, a department head tour with VFA-105, and executive and commanding officer tours with VFA-87. He served as executive officer of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and commanded USS Denver (LPD-9). He also served as chief of staff for Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa before commanding USS George Washington (CVN-73), the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier.

Fenton’s personal awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device and First Strike Flight devices, Air Force Aerial Achievement Medal, and several other personal and service awards.

He was conferred the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star by the Emperor of Japan. He was named the 1999 Michael J. Hoff Attack Aviator of the Year, received the Vice Admiral Behrens Award at Naval Nuclear Power Training Command, and was named the 2014 Tailhook Association “Tailhooker of the Year.” He earned Battle Efficiency Awards while commanding VFA-87 and USS Denver, as well as consecutive awards while commanding USS George Washington.