Arlington, VA

CNA is pleased to share that Principal Research Scientist Peter Swartz is a 2020 recipient of the Commodore Dudley W. Knox Medal awarded by the Naval Historical Foundation for lifetime achievement in naval history. The committee highlighted Swartz's work over the past 26 years at CNA examining Navy strategy, the organizational history of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations, and U.S. Navy international relations.

"We have been so fortunate to have Peter on our team for nearly three decades, and we are absolutely thrilled to see his contributions recognized by the historical foundation," CNA President and CEO Katherine McGrady said.

Prior to joining CNA in 1993, Swartz served as an officer in the U.S. Navy for 26 years, including two tours in the Vietnam War and playing a lead role developing the Navy's Maritime Strategy of the 1980s. After retiring as a captain, Swartz became a researcher and later team lead at CNA, where he has analyzed numerous complex problems of national security and naval policy for the Navy and others.

Swartz mentored "scores of junior and senior naval officers and civilian analysts on the facts and use of naval history in strategic planning and national policy, including dozens of senior flags and civilian senior executives," the foundation's chairman, retired Admiral William J. Fallon, wrote in a letter of congratulations. The committee further applauded Swartz's service with the Secretary of the Navy's Advisory Committee on Naval History in the 1980s and more than 35 years of service advising the Naval Historical Center/Naval History and Heritage Command.

"I am honored to receive the Knox Award," Swartz said. "The significance of this award, especially for a non-academic, is not lost on me, and I appreciate the Historical Foundation and Naval History and Heritage Command's recognition and support of me and my colleagues at CNA."

The foundation, an independent, nonprofit organization, plans to host an event celebrating the honor when circumstances allow.