Eric T. Olson Military person

Eric Thor Olson (born January 24, 1952) is a retired United States Navy admiral who last served as the eighth Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) from July 2, 2007 to August 8, 2011. He previously served as Deputy Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command from 2003 to July 2007. Olson was the first Navy SEAL ever to be appointed to three-star and four-star flag rank, as well as the first naval officer to be USSOCOM's combatant commander. He took command from Army General Bryan D. Brown in 2007. Brown and Olson had served together at the SOCOM headquarters in Tampa for four years. He retired from active duty on August 22, 2011 after over 38 years of service. He relinquished command of SOCOM to Admiral William H. McRaven the same day.

Personal facts

Eric T. Olson
Birth dateJanuary 24, 1952
Birth place
Tacoma Washington

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Military person

award
Bronze Star Medal
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Silver Star
Distinguished Service Medal (US Navy)
Defense Superior Service Medal
military operations
Battle of Mogadishu (1993)
military branch
United States Navy
military command
Naval Special Warfare Command
Deputy United States Special Operations Command
Naval Special Warfare Development Group
United States Special Operations Command
service start1973
service end2011

Eric T. Olson on Wikipedia