William D. Byrne Jr.

William D. Byrne Jr.
Birth nameWilliam Declan Byrne Jr.
Nickname(s)Bill
BornPacifica, California, U.S.
BranchUnited States Navy
Years of service1987–2022
RankRear Admiral
CommandsU.S. Naval Forces Korea
Carrier Strike Group 11
Carrier Strike Group 15
USS Cape St. George
USS Halyburton
AwardsDefense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (5)

William Declan Byrne Jr. is a retired United States Navy rear admiral who last served as director of warfare development (N72) in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. He previously served as the vice director of the Joint Staff. Byrne also served as the 85th Commandant of Midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy from May 2013 to June 2015.

Byrne attended the United States Naval Academy, graduating in 1987 with a B.S. degree in political science. While there, he was a record-setting starting quarterback for three football seasons. Byrne later earned an M.S. degree in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 2004.