Anthony Michael Kurta[1] (born September 4, 1959[2]) is a retired United States Navy Rear Admiral and government official. Having served as the Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness for most of 2017, he was President Donald Trump's nominee to become Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.[3] Kurta previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Personnel Policy and Director of Navy Flag Officer Management and Development.

Anthony M. Kurta
Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness
In office
January 20, 2017 – November 30, 2017
PresidentDonald Trump
Preceded byPeter Levine
Succeeded byRobert Wilkie
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Personnel Policy
In office
September 8, 2014 – January 20, 2017
PresidentBarack Obama
Personal details
Born (1959-09-04) September 4, 1959 (age 65)[1]
Deer Lodge, Montana
EducationUnited States Naval Academy
Georgetown University
AwardsDefense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
Secretary of Defense Meritorious Civilian Service Award
Distinguished Service Medal
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Navy
Years of service1981–2013
RankRear Admiral

Kurta is the son of John Anthony Kurta (January 27, 1922 – June 17, 1993)[4] and Virginia Elizabeth (Malone) Kurta (May 3, 1922 – January 12, 1970).[5] He was born in Deer Lodge, Montana[1] and raised in Columbia Falls, Montana. Kurta graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1981. He later earned an M.A. in National Security Studies from Georgetown University.[6]

Kurta served 32 years on active duty as a Navy Surface Warfare Officer, during which time he commanded the USS Sentry (MCM-3), USS Guardian (MCM-5), USS Warrior (MCM-10), USS Carney, Destroyer Squadron Two Four, and Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa. He is a recipient of the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Secretary of Defense Meritorious Civilian Service Award.[7]

Kurta's nomination to be a Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense was reported favorably by the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services on November 16, 2017 but failed to receive consideration by the full Senate. The nomination was withdrawn on September 28, 2018.[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Montana, Birth Records, 1919-1986. Helena, Montana: Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.
  2. ^ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Reserve Officers on the Active-Duty List. Bureau of Naval Personnel. October 1, 1984. p. 129. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  3. ^ Tritten, Travis (July 20, 2017). "Trump nominates Robert Wilkie, Anthony Kurta to head Pentagon personnel and readiness". Washington Examiner. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
  4. ^ "John Anthony Kurta". BillionGraves. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  5. ^ "Virginia Elizabeth Kurta". Montana Certificate of Death. No. 70 0152. Helena, Montana: Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.
  6. ^ "Anthony M. Kurta". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  7. ^ "President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate Personnel to Key Administration Posts". The White House. July 19, 2017. Archived from the original on July 20, 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017.  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  8. ^ "PN812 — Anthony Kurta — Department of Defense". U.S. Congress. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
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