Christopher W. Grady
Christopher W. Grady | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2021 | |
| Born | 28 November 1962 Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Service years | 1984–2025 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands | Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (acting) Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff United States Fleet Forces Command United States Naval Forces Northern Command United States Naval Forces Strategic Command Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO United States Sixth Fleet Carrier Strike Group 1 Destroyer Squadron 22 USS Cole (DDG 67) USS Ardent (MCM 12) USS Chief (MCM 14) |
| Conflicts | Gulf War War in Afghanistan Iraq War |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal Navy Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (5) |
| Alma mater | University of Notre Dame (BA) Georgetown University (MA) National Defense University (MS) |
Christopher Watson Grady (born 28 November 1962) is a retired United States Navy admiral who served as the 12th vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 2021 until 30 September 2025. He was succeeded by Christopher J. Mahoney.
From 21 February 2025 to 11 April 2025, Grady served in the position of acting Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Grady most recently served as the commander of United States Fleet Forces Command and United States Naval Forces Northern Command from May 2018 to December 2021, with additional duties as commander of United States Naval Forces Strategic Command and Joint Force Maritime Component Commander from February 2019. He previously served as commander of the United States Sixth Fleet, commander of Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, deputy commander of United States Naval Forces Europe - Naval Forces Africa and Joint Force Maritime Component Commander Europe from October 2016 to March 2018.
A 1984 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Grady was commissioned into the Navy via the Naval Reserve Officers' Training Corps program. He became the Navy's "Old Salt", its longest-serving surface warfare officer on active duty, having received the title and accompanying trophy from Admiral Philip S. Davidson on 20 April 2021 and would hold this distinction until his retirement from the Navy on 30 September 2025.