Henry L. Garrett III

Henry Lawrence Garrett III (born June 24, 1939)^[1] served as the 68th Secretary of the Navy from May 15, 1989, to June 26, 1992, in the administration of George H. W. Bush.^[2] Before leading the Department of the Navy, he served as General Counsel of the Department of Defense.

Henry L. Garrett III
Official portrait, 1987
68th United States Secretary of the Navy
In office May 15, 1989 – June 26, 1992
President	George H. W. Bush
Preceded by	William L. Ball
Succeeded by	J. Daniel Howard (Acting)
24th United States Under Secretary of the Navy
In office August 6, 1987 – May 15, 1989
President	Ronald Reagan
Preceded by	James F. Goodrich
Succeeded by	J. Daniel Howard
Personal details
Born	Henry Lawrence Garrett III (1939-06-24) June 24, 1939 (age 86) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political party	Republican
Education	University of West Florida (BS) University of San Diego (JD)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Navy
Years of service	1961–1964 1964–1981
Unit	USS Sea Poacher VP-50
Battles/wars	Cold War  • Cuban Missile Crisis  • Vietnam War
Awards	Air Medal (2)

Career

Garrett at the commissioning ceremony for the USS Arleigh Burke with Arleigh Burke and wife present and Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney delivering the keynote address in July 1991.

Garrett served in the U.S. Navy from October 1961 to November 1981,^[3] initially as a machinist's mate aboard USS Sea Poacher during the Cuban Missile Crisis,^[4] before getting commissioned as a naval flight officer in 1964. He served with VP-50 in the Vietnam War from 1965 to 1967 and was awarded the Air Medal two times during his military career. Garrett was the 68th United States Secretary of the Navy.

Garrett ultimately resigned due to the Tailhook scandal.^[5]

Secretary Garrett has been a very active supporter of the Naval Aviation Museum and the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation. He is a long time member of the Aviation Museum Board of Trustees, contributing his time, valuable resources and sage advice and counsel to the overall success of the institution.

Mr. Garrett retired as an Executive Vice President of Rolls-Royce North America supporting the sale and operation of Rolls-Royce engines in the USN and US Marine Corps, Adour and Pegasus. He was formerly a partner in the Washington law firm of Lipsen, Hamberger, and Garrett.