| William K. Lescher | |
| Nickname: | Bill |
| Birth Place: | Highland Park, Illinois, US |
| Branch: | United States Navy |
| Serviceyears: | 1980–2022 |
| Rank: | Admiral |
| Commands: | Vice Chief of Naval Operations Expeditionary Strike Group 5 Atlantic Fleet Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing HSL-40 HSL-48 |
| Battles: | Gulf War |
| Awards: | Navy Distinguished Service Medal (2) Defense Superior Service Medal (3) Legion of Merit (3) |
William Kevin Lescher (born 1958)[1] is a retired four-star admiral in the United States Navy who last served as the 41st Vice Chief of Naval Operations. He held this office from May 29, 2020, to September 2, 2022.[2] Lescher was also the "Old Goat", the longest serving Naval Academy graduate on active duty, from 2018 to 2022.
A native of Highland Park, Illinois,[3] he graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1980.[4] [5] Trained as a helicopter pilot, Lescher served with HSL-36 and HSL-44 and later commanded HSL-48, HSL-40, the Atlantic Fleet Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing, Expeditionary Strike Group Five and Task Forces 51/59 in Bahrain.[6]
In May 2020, Lescher was nominated by President Donald Trump for promotion to admiral and assignment as the next Vice Chief of Naval Operations.[7] He assumed this office and rank on May 29, 2020.
| Navy Distinguished Service Medal with one gold award star | ||
| Defense Superior Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters | ||
| Legion of Merit with two award stars | ||
| Meritorious Service Medal with three award stars | ||
| Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal | ||
| Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with award star | ||
| Joint Meritorious Unit Award | ||
| Navy Unit Commendation | ||
| Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with two bronze service stars | ||
| Navy "E" Ribbon with three Battle E awards | ||
| Navy Expeditionary Medal | ||
| National Defense Service Medal with service star | ||
| Southwest Asia Service Medal with service star | ||
| Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal | ||
| Global War on Terrorism Service Medal | ||
| Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with two service stars | ||
| Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon | ||
| Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) | ||
| Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal |