Accession Number:

ADA564017

Title:

Urgent Fury: The Operational Leadership of Vice Admiral Joseph P. Metcalf, III

Descriptive Note:

Research paper

Corporate Author:

NAVAL WAR COLL NEWPORT RI JOINT MILITARY OPERATIONS DEPT

Personal Author(s):

• Ward, Samuel D.

Report Date:

2012-05-04

Pagination or Media Count:

26.0

Abstract:

Vice Admiral Joseph P. Metcalf, III commanded the largest American joint military operation since the Vietnam War on the small Caribbean island of Grenada in 1983. This paper focuses on Metcalfs operational leadership during Operation URGENT FURY. It begins by providing readers an introduction to Metcalfs life, his education and career, and the circumstances that led to Metcalf being named as the operational commander of Combined Joint Task Force 120. Examination of the planning and execution stages of the Grenada invasion illustrate Metcalfs possession of the three theoretical requirements of successful operational leadership certain personality traits including wisdom, good judgment, and emotional balance, a present yet unobtrusive command style, and significant professional knowledge allowing for critical decision making. Discussion topics include the 39 hours Metcalf had to prepare for the invasion, the decisions to bomb Fort Frederick and conduct a Marine amphibious assault at Grand Mal, Metcalfs relationship with General Schwarzkopf, and the now-infamous media policy. The paper concludes with lessons learned from Metcalfs operational leadership performance for current and future leaders, including the Vice Admirals favorite When you are in command, COMMAND

Descriptors:

• *DECISION MAKING
• *GRENADA
• *INTERVENTION
• *JOINT MILITARY ACTIVITIES
• *LEADERSHIP
• *MILITARY COMMANDERS
• *NAVAL PERSONNEL
• AMPHIBIOUS OPERATIONS
• BIOGRAPHIES
• CAREERS
• INTERAGENCY COORDINATION
• JUDGEMENT(PSYCHOLOGY)
• LESSONS LEARNED
• MASS MEDIA
• MILITARY HISTORY
• PERSONALITY
• POLICIES

Subject Categories:

• Administration and Management
• Humanities and History
• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE