Gerald Hoewing was born in 1949 in Keokuk, Iowa. He was commissioned through the Navy ROTC program at Iowa State University on May 29, 1971, and then completed flight training, receiving his designation as a Naval Aviator in August 1972. After completing A-7 Corsair II Fleet Replacement Pilot training at NAS Lemoore, California, Hoewing served with VA-47, VA-22, and VA-94, completing several western Pacific deployments aboard the aircraft carriers USS Constellation (CV-64) and USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) between 1973 and 1980. LT Hoewing then served as Operational Test Director for the F/A-18 Hornet Operational Evaluation with VX-5 at Naval Weapons Center China Lake, California, followed by A-7 and F-14 Tomcat refresher training. His next assignment was as Operations Officer with CVW-6 aboard the aircraft carriers USS Independence (CV-62) and USS Forrestal (CV-59), followed by National War College, where he graduated in 1987. CDR Hoewing served as Executive Officer of VFA-81 before taking over as Commander of the squadron in May 1989. During his time with the "Sunliners", he deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CV-60) during Operation Desert Shield in 1990. His next assignment was as Aviation Junior Officer Assignment Branch Head with the Bureau of Naval Personnel, followed by service as Commanding Officer of the fast combat logistics support ship USS Seattle (AOE-3) from January 1993 to January 1995. CAPT Hoewing then served as Commanding Officer of the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CV-67) from January 1995 to July 1996. He was Senior Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness at the Pentagon from July 1996 to July 1998, and then as Assistant Commander for Distribution with Navy Personnel Command from July 1998 to October 1999. ADM Hoewing Commanded Carrier Group SEVEN from October 1999 to September 2000, and then the Navy Personnel Command from September 2000 to September 2002. He served as Chief of Naval Personnel and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Manpower and Personnel from October 2002 until his retirement from the Navy on February 1, 2006. During his last assignment, ADM Hoewing also assumed responsibilities for Navy Training and Education beginning in July 2005. VADM Hoewing is currently the President and CEO of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation at NAS Pensacola, Florida.