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William A. Navas Jr. (born December 15, 1942) is a retired United States Army Major General who served as the Director of the Army National Guard. He is also the first Puerto Rican to be named an Assistant Secretary of the Navy.
Early life and education
Navas was born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico on December 15, 1942.His family has a long tradition of military service, including his grandfather, Colonel Antonio M. Navas, who served in both World Wars.His father, Captain William A. Navas Sr. served in World War II and had a successful career in civil engineering upon his retirement from the military.
Navas received his primary and secondary education in his hometown of Mayagüez.After graduating from high school, he enrolled in the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, and received his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering.He joined the Beta-Activo chapter of Phi Sigma Alpha fraternity, and served as chapter president from 1963 to 1964.
In addition to his degree from the University of Puerto Rico, Navas completed a Master of Science degree in Management Engineering at the University of Bridgeport.
Navas completed Army qualification courses for the Engineer, Military Police, and Infantry branches.He also completed specialty courses including Jungle Warfare.He was the Distinguished Graduate of his class at the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and graduated from the Inter-American Defense College.Navas also completed the Program for Senior Managers in Government at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Career
Navas completed the ROTC program while in college, and joined the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant of Engineers.He served more than five years on active duty, primarily in West Germany.From 1968 to 1969 he served in Vietnam as Commander of Company A, 168th Engineer Battalion.
In 1970 Navas joined his family's construction business, (Navas y Moreda), and became a member of the Puerto Rico Army National Guard.He advanced through a series of command and staff assignments, including command of the 125th Military Police Battalion, 1st Battalion, 296th Infantry Regiment and Combined Task Force, 193rd Infantry Brigade, attaining the rank of Colonel in 1981.
In 1981 he became a full-time member of the National Guard.After serving in several assignments at the Headquarters of the Puerto Rico National Guard, in 1987 he was selected to succeed Richard D. Dean as Deputy Director of the Army National Guard and promoted to Brigadier General.
In 1990 he was chosen for the position of Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau and promoted to Major General.
Navas served as Vice Chief until 1992, when he became Executive Officer of the Reserve Forces Policy Board.
From September 1994 through October 1995 Navas was Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs.
In October, 1995 Navas was assigned as Director of the Army National Guard, and he served until May, 1998.He was succeeded by Roger C. Schultz.
From June, 1998 until retiring from the military in October, 1998 Navas was a Special Assistant in the Office of the Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army.
Assistant Secretary of the Navy
After retiring from the military Navas became the Chairman of the American Veteran's Committee for Puerto Rico Self-Determination, an organization which he co-founded.
On June 6, 2001 Navas was nominated by President George W. Bush to serve as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs).He was sworn in on July 17, 2001, and served through January, 2008.
From 2008 to 2011 Navas served as Executive Director of the National Security Professional Development Integration Office at the United States Department of Defense, the first individual to hold this position.
Later work
Since 2011, Navas has been a senior advisor at Dawson & Associates, a Washington, D.C. consulting firm.
Military decorations and awards
 | Legion of Merit (with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster) |
| Meritorious Service Medal (with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster) |
| Army Commendation Medal (with 3 bronze Oak Leaf Clusters) |
| Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (with 2 bronze Oak Leaf Clusters) |
 | National Defense Service Medal (with one bronze Service Star) |
| Vietnam Service Medal (with 4 bronze Service Stars) |
Badges:
Other recognition
- In 2001, Navas, was honored with the Achievement Award by Hispanic magazine.
- In 2008 he was awarded the "Caballero Sigma" medal by Phi Sigma Alpha fraternity.