Holly Graf
Holly Ann Graf | |
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Operation Iraqi Freedom | |
| Awards | Legion of Merit Bronze Star Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal (with one gold star). |
Holly Ann Graf is a retired
Early life and education
Graf grew up in Simsbury, Connecticut, to a family with a long history of naval service. Her father is a retired captain and Submarine Officer in the U.S. Navy, and her sister, Robin L. Graf, is a retired Rear Admiral (LH) in the Navy Reserve.[4] Graf graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1985. Most of her colleagues at the time believed she was well on her way to flag rank.[5]
She holds a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College and an additional Master's degree in civil engineering from Villanova University.[6]
Graf's previous billets include Auxiliaries Officer and First
From 20 March 2008 to 13 January 2010, Graf was the commanding officer of the guided missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG-63), based in Yokosuka, Japan.[1][9][10]
Relieved of command
On 13 January 2010, Graf was relieved of command of USS Cowpens by
The report found that Graf frequently abused members of her crew verbally and physically, creating what one crew member described as "an environment of fear and hostility". She was also faulted for neglecting her junior officers; the Navy has long considered training of junior officers to be one of the most important duties of a commanding officer. Graf initially blamed the complaints about her command style on a disgruntled group in the Cowpens wardroom. However, in a follow-up email, she admitted to raising her voice and cursing at times to show she meant business.[5][8]
Subsequent reports by Time revealed that Graf had a history of abusive treatment of subordinates as far back as her tenure on the Curtis Wilbur. Previous complaints had not been acted upon by Navy leaders. Many who served with her thought she was the closest thing they'd seen to an actual Captain Bligh.[8] For instance, while she was commander of the Churchill, a propeller snapped just as it was leaving port, leaving it dead in the water. Graf grabbed the navigator and dragged him to the outdoor bridge wing while cursing at him. According to chaplain Maurice Kaprow, many Churchill sailors, knowing that Graf's career would have ended if the Churchill had run aground, started jumping for joy and singing "Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead" on the fantail. Kaprow later said that the crew's morale was the lowest he'd ever seen in his 20-year naval career.[5] The Churchill's gunnery officer said that Graf frequently spat at other officers and threw things at them, including ceramic coffee cups and binders. Ultimately, the entire crew broke out in cheers when she changed command in 2004.[8]
Later career
Graf was slated to take a job at the Office of Information, Plans and Strategy (N3/N5) at the Pentagon after leaving the Cowpens.[9] However, after losing her command, Graf was reassigned to the Naval Surface Warfare Center's laboratory in Dahlgren, Virginia.[5]
A board of inquiry composed of three admirals held hearings regarding her conduct in November 2010.[12] On 3 December 2010, the board of inquiry recommended that Graf be separated from the Navy and receive a retirement under general circumstances so she could be allowed to retire with the rank of captain. General discharges (or a "General" characterization to retiring commissioned officers) are given to service members whose performance is satisfactory but is marked by a considerable departure in the performance and conduct standards expected of military members.[13] On 6 January 2012, this decision was reversed and Graf was allowed to receive an honorable service characterization as a retired officer, as it was, "...determined that her conduct did not rise to a level sufficient to warrant the characterization of her service as less than honorable".[14]
Military awards
Graf's awards include:
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| Command at Sea insignia | Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
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Surface Warfare insignia
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| Legion of Merit | Bronze Star | Defense Meritorious Service Medal | |
References
- ^ Thompson, Mark, "The Rise and Fall of a Female Captain Bligh", Time, 3 March 2010.
- ^ Slavin, Erik, "Navy to let ousted captain of Yokosuka-based ship to get 'honorable' retirement", Stars and Stripes, 8 January 2012.
- ^ "Rear Admiral Robin L. Graf, Deputy Commander, Navy Recruiting Command". US Navy Biography. Department of the Navy.
- ^ a b c d Thompson, Mark (11 March 2010). "Sexism and the Navy's Female Captain Bligh (published in print as "The Sea Witch")". Time. Archived from the original on 13 March 2010.
- ^ "Twenty-five Years of Women Aboard Combat Vessels".
- ^ a b c d e Thompson, Mark (3 March 2010). "The Rise and Fall of a Female Captain Bligh". Time. Archived from the original on 7 March 2010. Retrieved 18 March 2010.
- ^ cowpensvets.org (2010). "CAPT Holly Graf - United States Navy - COWPENS' Tenth Commanding Officer". cowpensvets.org. Retrieved 18 March 2010.
- ^ Carter, David, J. (16 January 2010). "Admiral relieves Cowpens captain". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 18 March 2010.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Dave Larter (29 November 2010). "Graf board of inquiry to convene Tuesday". Navy Times. Gannett Government Media Corporation.
- ^ Dave Larter (3 December 2010). "Panel: Graf should get general discharge". Navy Times. Gannett Government Media Corporation.
- ^ Sam Fellman (6 January 2012). "Fired Cowpens CO to get 'honorable' retirement". Navy Times. Gannett Government Media Corporation. Retrieved 16 January 2012.