 | FRAN MCKEE |
The following biographical sketch was compiled at the time of induction into the Academy in 1979.
Rear Admiral Fran McKee, a native of Florence, Alabama, was commissioned an Ensign in December, 1950, and
reported for duty at the Office of Naval Research, Washington, D. C. in June, 1951, following five months of Officer Indoctrination at the General Line School, Newport, R. I. At the Office of Naval Research she was initially assigned as Assistant
to the Director, Physical Science Division. She subsequently assumed the duties as Administrative Aide to the Chief of Naval
Research.
In May, 1954, she was transferred to the Navy Recruiting Station and Office of Naval Officer Procurement in Boston,
Massachusetts where she served as Women Procurement Officer. Following her tour in Boston she attended the General
Line School, U. S. Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California. In September,1957, she was ordered to her first overseas
tour where she was assigned as Personnel Officer, Naval Air Station, Port Lyautey, Morocco. Subsequently, she reported in
September 1958 as Training Coordinator, Damage Control School, Treasure Island, San Francisco, California. During the
period January, 1962, to May, 1965, she served on the Staff of the Chief of Naval Air Reserve Training as Classification/Mobilization Officer.
In June, 1965, she assumed duties as Officer-in-Charge Naval Women Officers School, Newport, R. I., where she served
until October, 1967. She was then assigned to her second overseas tour and reported as Personnel Officer, U. S. Naval Station,
Rota, Spain. While at Rota, she was one of the first two women selected to attend the regular curriculum at the Naval War
College in Newport, R. I., where she reported in August, 1969. Following graduation from the School of Naval Warfare in
June, 1970, she reported to the Bureau of Naval Personnel as Head, Special Inquiries and Publication Section, Officer Distribution Division. In September, 1972, Rear Admiral McKee was reassigned as Deputy Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel
for Human Goals where she served until August, 1973. From September, 1973, to May, 1976, Rear Admiral McKee commanded the Naval Security Group Activity, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. She was the first woman ever to head an
activity of the Naval Security Group Command.
In February, 1976, Rear Admiral McKee became the first woman line officer in the history of the Navy to be selected
for flag rank. Upon assuming her present rank she reported on June 1, 1976, for assignment as Director of Naval Education
Development at the Naval Education and Training Command, Pensacola, Florida. In this capacity she advised and acted for
the Chief of Naval Education and Training in all matters pertaining to primary, secondary, undergraduate, and graduate
education programs for military personnel and designated dependent schools.
On June 1, 1978, Rear Admiral McKee assumed the duties of Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel for Human Resource
Management with additional duty as Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Human Resource Management).
Rear Admiral McKee holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in chemistry from the University of Alabama,
a Master of Science degree in International Affairs from George Washington University, and an honorary Doctorate in Public
Administration from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.
She has been awarded the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Senice Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with
Bronze Star, the Expert Pistol Medal and the Sharpshooter Rifle Medal.
Rear Admiral McKee died in 2002.
Updated: March 13, 2007