In 2000, Rear Admiral Eleanor Mariano, MC, USN, became the first female Filipino to be promoted to flag rank while serving as the Attending Physician to President William J. Clinton. Following this success is Rear Admiral Eleanor Valentin, MC, USN, who became the first female and sixteenth Director of the Medical Service Corps in 2009. Asian and Pacific Islander Americans have become an integral core of the U.S. Navy in dealing with Asian and Pacific Island countries. A good example is Commander Heedong Choi, a native-born Korean, who has recently dealt with the Republic of Korea's Navy Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Jung Ok-Keun building mutual trust and understanding between our nations. Leading the path is Vice Admiral Harry B. Harris, USN, Commander, Sixth Fleet, who is also serving as Commander, Striking and Support Forces NATO; Joint Force Maritime Component Commander, Europe; Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe; and Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa.

To return to the beginning: Asian and Pacific Islander Americans, 1890s - World War I

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Photo #: NH 106873-KN (Color) Rear Admiral Eleanor Mariano, MC, USN Rear Admiral Mariano was promoted to flag rank in 2000 while serving as Attending Physician to President William J. Clinton. She was the first female Filipino to be promoted to Rear Admiral. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 118KB; 710 x 925
Photo #: NH 106878-KN (Color) Commander Heedong Choi, USN Born in Inchon, Korea, Commander Choi was commissioned through the Navy's NROTC program in 1990. Commanding Officer of USS Chaffee (DDG-90), Choi, left, converses with Republic of Korea Navy Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jung Ok-Keun, right, about different tactical scenarios. The Admiral visited various military installations throughout Hawaii to enhance mutual interest in maritime security and stability and also build upon mutual trust and understanding, January 2009. Photographed by MS1 Michael Hight. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 103KB; 900 x 665
Photo #: NH 106879-KN (Color) Rear Admiral Eleanor Valentin, MC, USN Rear Admiral Valentin is currently serving as Commander, Navy Medicine Support Command and is the first female and sixteenth Director of the Medical Service Corps. Photograph was taken in 2009 after her promotion to flag rank. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 109KB; 720 x 925
Photo #: NH 106875-KN (Color) Rear Admiral Peter Gumataotao, USN Rear Admiral Gumataotao is promoted to flag rank in September 2009. With his family taking off his Captain's shoulder boards, he was the first Guam native to be promoted to Rear Admiral. Guamataotao graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1981. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 161KB; 900 x 665
Photo #: NH 106880-KN (Color) Lieutenant Commander Elysia Ng, JAG, USN Lieutenant Commander Ng and Captain Chiya Patanun, JAG, Royal Thai Navy, observe maneuvers on board USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) during the at-sea phase of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2009. CARAT is a series of bilaterial exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance the readiness of the participating forces. Phtoograph by Lieutenant Ed Early, USN. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 147KB; 900 x 645
Photo #: NH 106874-KN (Color) Vice Admiral Harry B. Harris, USN (Commander, Sixth Fleet) Vice Admiral Harris shakes the hand of a sailor assigned to the Maritime Expeditionary Security Detachment 43 during a tour at Naval Station Rota, Spain, 22 February 2010. Born in Yokosuka, Japan, Harris was raised in Tennessee. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and was designated a Naval Flight Officer in 1978. Photograph by MC1 Paul Cage, USN. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 210KB; 900 x 620

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To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.