Navy Career
A native of Albany, New York, Doran attended Villanova University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in history. He was commissioned as an Ensign in 1967 through the Navy's Reserve Officer Training Corps (U.S. Navy) Program. In 1979, Admiral Doran attended the Indian Defense Services Staff College in Wellington, India, where he earned a Master's Degree in Defense Studies. He describes this experience in India as "serendipitously important" as he attended the Staff College with men who would later come to serve in high-ranking positions within their respective governments, among them former Indian CNS Arun Prakash and his successor. Admiral Doran also holds a Master's degree in communications from the University of Oklahoma, which he received in 1983.
Selected to Flag rank in January, 1993, Doran served as Director, Operations, Plans and Political-Military (N-31/52) on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations and as the Assistant to the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff from September 2000 to May 2002.
Doran commanded the USS De Wert (FFG-45) and the USS Belknap (CG-26), flagship for the United States Sixth Fleet home ported in Gaeta, Italy. From June 1995 to December 1996, Admiral Doran served as commander of Amphibious Group One in and the Amphibious Force U.S. Seventh Fleet, both homeported out of Okinawa, Japan. He also served as Deputy Commander in Chief and Chief of Staff, United States Southern Command from December 1996 through July 1998. From August 1998 to September 2000, Admiral Doran commanded United States Seventh Fleet homeported out of Yokosuka, Japan.
Significant shore assignments include tours on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations in Washington, D.C., including Assistant Branch Head, Pacific Ocean Area/Pacific Plans and Policy Branch (OP-612C) and Branch Head, Europe/NATO Branch (OP-614). From June, 1983 to July, 1985, Doran was Military Assistant to the then Vice President of the United States George H.W. Bush.
Doran's personal awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (with one bronze oak leaf), Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (with four Gold Stars), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with Combat V ), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (with one Gold Star).
- Defense Distinguished Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
- Navy Distinguished Service Medal
- Legion of Merit with four Gold Stars
- Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat V
- Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one Gold Star
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