John H. Dalton - At the Helm: My Journey with Family, Faith, and Friends to Calm the Storms of Life

Secretary of the Navy John Dalton led the Navy and the Marine Corps through one of the most challenging periods of modern times. He righted the ship for the Navy in the aftermath of the Tailhook scandal, the major cheating scandal at the Naval Academy, and the tragic and premature death of the Chief of Naval Operations. His leadership was values based, and he led with passion and compassion, discipline and toughness, and an unwavering concern for sailors and Marines. He was matched by his extraordinary spouse, Margaret, whose impact on family issues was profound. John tells the tale of a life molded in service to our country through the lens of some very tough and visible leadership successes and failures: great lessons for us all. His is a wonderful narrative of a life well lived. This is a fun, serious, compelling memoir every leader should read.

Mike Mullen , ADM, USN, 28th Chief of Naval Operations,
17th Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff

Advance Praise for
AT THE HELM

I have known John Dalton since 1975. We share a long history, beginning with his service in my administration and his active support of the Carter Center since its inception. Johns memoir is brimming with valuable lessons from his full life, and I encourage everyone to read it!

President Jimmy Carter , 39th President of the United States

John Dalton has lived a fascinating lifefrom Shreveport to submarines, public service to the private sectorguided by faith, family, patriotism, and purpose. After I appointed him Secretary of the Navy, his vigorous leadership made our naval forces stronger, more modern, and more diverse. At the Helm is an interesting, enjoyable portrait of a life well-lived.

President Bill Clinton , 42nd President of the United States

There are lives worth reading about and thmake a difference. As Dalton says, little things do add up.

The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry , Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church and author of Love is the Way and Songs My Grandma Sang

A plainspoken and detailed affirmation of the eternal verities of love of God, love of country, and respect for others that enabled John H. Dalton to rise from humble beginnings to become a fine naval officer, a successful entrepreneur, a high government official, and an honorary canon of the Washington National Cathedral. There is much in this memoir that can help us overcome the antagonism of our intensely partisan country. Dalton and his wife Margaret recognized problems, such as racial injustice and income disparities, and worked on remedial actions to make the world a better place.

Paul R. Ignatius , Secretary of the Navy in the LBJ Administration

Oh, the places hes been and the things hes done! John Dalton went from an Annapolis graduate to Secretary of the Navy and beyond in a rich and eventful life. In this memoir, he writes of the hard timesbusiness and other setbacksas well as the successes that have made him among the most respected and well-liked public servants in Washington. He draws lessons for policymakers and identifies what he sees as the critical traits for leaders. At the Helm is a must-read!

Susan Page , USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief and Author of
Madam Speaker: Nancy Pelosi and the Lessons of Power

For four years, I served with John Daltona rare privilege with a remarkably reliable leader of our Navy and Marine Corps. This dear (and fiercely competitive) friend and I annually cross Army-Navy swords. That said, anyone reading this delightful, fast-moving book about Johns upbringing, his faith, and life travels will know why so many of us consider John to be one of the most principled and inspirational leaders to have ever served our country.

Joe R. Reeder , 14th Under Secretary, United States Army (199397)

At the Helm is a thoroughly enjoyable account about an extraordinary American patriot and humanitarianJohn Dalton. The country is indebted to John for his dedication to the principles of freedom and democracy. I am fortunate to have had John as a role model and friend for more than four decades.

David Rubenstein, former Chairman of the Carlyle Group and Philanthropist

I have known John Dalton since we were midshipmen at the Naval Academy, and I knew he was a sports enthusiast when I first met him. He lived in Dallas when I was with the Cowboys. From a modest beginning in Louisiana, John has enjoyed an exciting life in the public and private sectors. His life is an example of the American dream and a portrait of a life well-lived. There is much to be learned from reading this book.

Roger Staubach , Heisman Trophy Winner and MVP of the Super Bowl,
where he led the Cowboys to victory twice

A KNOX PRESS BOOK

An Imprint of Permuted Press

At the Helm:

My Journey with Family, Faith, and Friends to Calm the Storms of Life

2022 by John H. Dalton, 70th Secretary of the Navy

All Rights Reserved

ISBN: 978-1-63758-515-3

ISBN (eBook): 978-1-63758-516-0

Cover photo by Terry Cosgrove

Interior design and composition by Greg Johnson, Textbook Perfect

This is a work of nonfiction. All people, locations, events, and situation are portrayed to the best of the authors memory.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author and publisher.

Permuted Press, LLC

New York Nashville

permutedpress.com

Published in the United States of America

I dedicate this book to my claim to fame, Margaret.

She has been an invaluable help in writing this book.

The happiest moment of my life was when she agreed to marry me!

Contents

T he USS George Washington dropped anchor off Omaha beach where she stayed overnight in 1994. The next morning during the early hours of June 6, President Bill Clinton, much of the crew, and I stood on the carriers large hanger deck elevator to conduct the sunrise wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of D-Day. At the same time of day that thousands of allied soldiers braved the rough waves of the English Channel in 1944, we spoke of their memory, their bravery, and their sacrifice. After Rear Admiral Al Krekich, I was second to speak that morning, and when I took the podium, I praised the heroism of those who had risked everything to defeat the scourge of fascism:

Fifty years ago, allied vessels brimming with determined warriors, uncertain of their fate, but clear of their purpose, sailed across these very waters. Today, we honor them. By the end of that day, the wall of tyranny had been breached, but the price had been high. On behalf of the Department of the Navy, I welcome all our honored guests to the commemoration of the allied invasion of Normandy.

When I finished, I introduced a D-Day Navy veteran who had received the Navy Cross during World War II, Dean Rockwell, to speak. He had brief remarks and then introduced President Clinton, who proceeded to the podium and was respectful and measured in his words. When the speeches were finished, the president and several Navy veterans escorted the wreath and cast it ceremoniously off the hangar deck into the dark, turbulent waters of the channel below. Following this first ceremony of D-Day, President Clinton and a large contingent of officials flew ashore. There they presided over events at Pointe du Hoc, Utah Beach, the French-hosted Omaha Beach ceremony, and finally, the capstone event of the day: the ceremony at the American Cemetery in Normandy, attended by government officials from the UK, US, France, and Canada and thousands of D-Day veterans.