LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Vice Admiral Michael C. Vitale upon the
occasion of his retirement after many years of distinguished service to
the United States Navy and the Nation

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body seeks to honor and acknowledge those
individuals whose professional lives, military service and civic endeav-
ors serve to enhance the stature of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Vice Admiral Michael C. Vitale has rendered faithful, consci-
entious and valuable military service to the United States Navy and the
Nation; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Vice
Admiral Michael C. Vitale upon the occasion of his retirement after many
years of distinguished service to the United States Navy and the Nation;
and
WHEREAS, Son of the late Joseph and Emily Eltz Vitale of Johnson City,
New York, Vice Admiral Michael C. Vitale received his commission in the
United States Navy in 1977 upon his graduation from the Navy Reserve
Officer Training Program at the University of Louisville; and
WHEREAS, Michael C. Vitale has served in various leadership positions
aboard USS Reeves, USS Comte De Grasse, USS Bainbridge, USS Yorktown and
Carrier Group 4; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Michael C. Vitale was the commanding officer of
USS John S. McCain, and also commanded Destroyer Squadron 24 in Mayport,
Florida; and
WHEREAS, As a flag officer, Vice Admiral Michael C. Vitale commanded
Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific; he also
served as commanding officer of USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike
Group (CSG 2) prior to assuming command of Navy Region Southeast; and
WHEREAS, While serving ashore, Michael C. Vitale has been in leader-
ship positions at Navy Recruiting District Indianapolis, the Navy Mobile
Recruiting Team in Orlando, Florida, the Joint Chiefs of Staff director-
ate for plans and interoperability, and the Office of Legislative
Affairs in Washington, D.C., as Director of Navy Senate Liaison; and
WHEREAS, In 2009, Vice Admiral Michael C. Vitale served as Commander,
Naval Installations Command in Washington, D.C., where he was responsi-
ble for all Navy installations and activities worldwide; and
WHEREAS, Vice Admiral Michael C. Vitale holds a Master of Arts in
National Security Affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monter-
ey, California, and a Master of Science in National Security Strategy
from the National War College; and
WHEREAS, In addition to various campaign and service decorations, Vice
Admiral Michael C. Vitale has been awarded the Legion of Merit (with
five Gold Stars), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service
Medal (with two Gold Stars), Navy Commendation Medal (with two Gold
Stars), and the Navy Achievement Medal (with one Gold Star); and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Debbie, as well as
their son, Joe, and daughter, Laura, all of whom feel privileged to be a
part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, In all his official acts, Vice Admiral Michael C. Vitale has
been governed by a sense of loyalty, duty and honor, that allowed him to
be a natural leader; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his extraordinary and outstanding military career,
Vice Admiral Michael C. Vitale has earned the admiration, esteem and
affection of his friends, family and colleagues; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Vice Admiral Michael C. Vitale upon the occasion of his retirement

after many years of distinguished service to the United States Navy and
the Nation; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Vice Admiral Michael C. Vitale.