[Taylor]

Vice Admiral John E. Barstow, pictured September 2006

[b]Born: [/b]Johnathan Edward Barstow

Date of Birth: April 26, 1954

Place of Birth: Springfield, Illinois

Alma Mater: University of Cambridge

Allegiance: United States

Branch: United States Navy

Years of Service: 1975 - 2007

Rank: Vice Admiral (O-9)

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Military Service

USS California (CGN-36)

Barstow joined the United States Navy aged 21, following his return from the United Kingdom and the completion of his degree in Mathematics from Cambridge University. His first posting was aboard the USS California, where he remained for the next 11 years of his career. Whilst aboard the USS California, Barstow saw action during Operation Eagle Claw in 1980.

USS Vreeland (FF-1068)

Following Barstow's promotion to Lieutenant Commander in 1986, he was posted aboard the USS Vreeland. Whilst aboard the Vreeland he saw action in the Invasion of Panama, where he met long time friend and mentoree US Coast Guard Ensign Michael P. Ryan. He later saw action during Operation Desert Shield and the subsequent Operation Desert Storm. Barstow was promoted to Commander in 1992 and took command of the USS Vreeland after serving on the vessel for 6 years.

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)

Barstow was promoted to Captain on October 31, 1995 and was posted as the Commanding Officer aboard the Nimitz-class Aircraft Carrier: the USS Theodore Roosevelt. Barstow was in command of the vessel during the embarassing collision with the USS Leyte Gulf in 1996 and was found not to be at fault. Despite Barstow's promotion to Rear Admiral (Lower Half) in 1999, he remained in command of the vessel and saw action during the NATO bombing campaign of Serbia during the summer of 1999. He remained as commanding officer of the USS Roosevelt until 2004.

United States Navy 5th Fleet (Arabia)

Barstow was promoted to Rear Admiral (Upper Half) in October 2001, following the September 11 attacks and was commander of Carrier Group Three, who led the majority of strikes against Al-Qaeda and the Taliban. He was later putcommand of the USN 5th Fleet on January 11, 2004 following the resignation of Vice Admiral Scott F. Delaney. He was promoted to Vice Admiral the same day and held the position until his own retirement in 2007, following over 31 years of outstanding service.

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Law Enforcement

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives

John Barstow joined the ATF less than a month after his resignation from the Navy, having accepted a job offer from the Director the previous year. He was originally assigned to the ATF Headquaters in Washington D.C., however following the death of the Deputy Director for the Southern Division (comprising of 12 states), Barstow was promoted and took the job. He worked out of Dallas, Texas for the next 8 years before transferring to the Western Division in order to assist Assistant Deputy Director Katherine Moore with the estbalish of the Rockford, Oregon field office and the Evocity, Idaho resident office. Barstow then transferred to the Eastern Division in 2020, based out of New York City.

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Politics

Marion County, Idaho

John Barstow was elected as Mayor of Marion County in 2021 as an independent candidate. He intends to seek relection at the 2025 election.