Maintaining America's Advantage at Sea

Rear Adm. Wirth is a native of Grand Island, New York and a 1994 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering.  He also holds a Master of Engineering Management from Old Dominion University and has completed the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI program.

His sea tours include division officer assignment on USS Atlanta (SSN 712), navigator/operations officer onboard USS West Virginia (SSBN 736)(G) and executive officer onboard USS Albany (SSN 753).  He commanded USS Alaska (SSBN 732)(G) in Kings Bay, Georgia and was commodore of Submarine Squadron 20 in Kings Bay, Georgia.

His shore assignments include submarine watch officer for Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; Theater Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer for Commander Submarine Group 7; special assistant to the Director of Naval Reactors for Personnel and Policy; deputy commander for Submarine Squadron 20; executive assistant to the Chief of Naval Personnel; the submarine and nuclear community manager, Military Personnel Plans and Policy (N133) and division director of Submarine and Nuclear Propulsion Distribution, Navy Personnel Command (PERS-42).

His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, as well as other unit and campaign awards.