Vice Admiral Daniel Trantham Oliver[1] (born 1945[2]) was a United States Navy officer who rose to become Chief of Naval Personnel.
His early service included time with VP-10, VP-8, VP-30, and Commanding Officer of VP-16. He commanded Patrol Wing 2 at Naval Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii, 1987–1989.[3]
Admiral Oliver served during his career as Commander, NATO Maritime Air Forces Mediterranean and Commander, Fleet Air Mediterranean,[4] c. 1991 – 1993.
He was director of several Navy Staff divisions 1993–95.
After his retirement, he was appointed to a post at the Naval Postgraduate School. But on November 27, 2012, Vice Admiral Oliver and Provost Dr. Leonard Ferrari were relieved of duty by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus.[5] A Navy press release cited findings from a Naval Inspector General investigation which included Oliver's misuse of standard contracting procedures to circumvent federal hiring and compensation authorities.[5] The investigation also found that both Oliver and Ferrari "inappropriately accepted gifts from an independent private foundation organized to support the school."[5]