Rear-Admiral Kenneth J. Summers CD (born July 20, 1944) is a Canadian retired naval officer, best known for being the commander of the Canadian contingent of the Persian Gulf War coalition.
Ken Summers | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 20, 1944 St. Thomas, Canada |
| Allegiance |  Canada |
| Service |  Royal Canadian Navy Canadian Forces Maritime Command |
| Years of service | 1963–2000 |
| Rank | Rear Admiral |
| Commands | Canadian Forces Middle East (Gulf War) |
| Battles / wars | Persian Gulf War
|
| Awards | Canadian Forces' Decoration |
Early life and education
editSummers was born July 20, 1944, and graduated from Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario, in 1967 before serving as an officer both at sea and in several postings ashore. In 1989 he was promoted to commodore and appointed Commander Canadian Fleet and Chief of Staff Operations in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the appointment he was holding when Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990.
Career
editSummers assumed command of the Canadian Naval Task Force that sailed from Halifax to the Persian Gulf, and upon arrival he was appointed Commander Canadian Forces Middle East, with headquarters in Bahrain. All Canadian naval, air and land forces in the Gulf came under his command during the implementation of Operation Friction, where Canadian naval and air units engaged in combat for the first time since the Korean War.
After the Persian Gulf War, Summers served in Maritime Forces Pacific Headquarters (MARPAC HQ) as Chief of Staff to Commander MARPAC 1991. He was promoted to rear admiral and was appointed as a Commander Canadian Defence Liaison Staff Washington in 1992. He served in National Defence Headquarters, Ottawa as Chief of Personnel Planning and Resources Management 1994 and as Director General Maritime Development 1995. He was appointed Chief of Staff Operations, Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic in Norfolk, Virginia, from 1997 to 2000. He retired in 2000.
Awards and decorations
editSummers's personal awards and decorations include the following:
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| Ribbon | Description | Notes |
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Order of Military Merit (OMM) |
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Meritorious Service Cross (MSC) | |
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Gulf and Kuwait Medal |
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Special Service Medal |
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125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal |
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Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal |
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Canadian Forces' Decoration (CD) |
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Commander of the Legion of Merit |
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Bronze Star Medal |
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Order of King Abdulaziz |
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References
edit- ^ "Order of Military Merit List". The Governor General of Canada.
- ^ "Meritorious Service Decorations List". The Governor General of Canada.
- ^ "Commodore Summers was the commander of Canadian Forces Middle East before and during the Gulf War. He played a key role throughout, from the initial planning for Canadian naval involvement to the successful conclusion of operations after a period of active hostilities. His outstanding leadership and professionalism, and his exceptional performance of his duties, had a positive impact within the Canadian Forces, amongst our allies, and with the Canadian public."
- ^ "The Queen Diamond Jubilee Medal List". The Governor General of Canada. 11 June 2018.
- ^ "Canada Gazette, Part I (1947-1997), vol. 130, no. 11, Regular Issue, March 16, 1996". The Governor General of Canada.
External links
edit- Biography at The Rt. Hon. Sir Winston Spencer Churchill Society of British Columbia web page
- Canada's 25 Most Renowned Military Leaders
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