Richard J. (Jack) Grunawalt, 2/2/1934 - 9/22/2025

Retired U.S. Naval War College Professor Richard "Jack" Grunawalt, internationally known as the "Father of Operational Law in the United States Military," passed away from natural causes on September 22nd, 2025. Professor Grunawalt was born on February 2nd, 1934, in Chicago, Illinois to Ida and Elmer (Jack) Grunawalt. Jack received undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Michigan.

In 1959, Jack began his long and distinguished career as a commissioned Navy Judge Advocate, excelling in such diverse and important assignments as: Deputy Director of the Naval Law Center, DaNang, Vietnam; Force Judge Advocate for Commander, Naval Forces Marianas in Guam; Fleet Judge Advocate for the Commander, Seventh Fleet; Staff Judge Advocate for the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command; and Special Counsel to the Chief of Naval Operations. During the latter assignment, Jack also served as counsel to the Long Commission, which investigated the tragic bombing in October 1983 of the Marine Battalion Landing Team Headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon. On 1 August 1985, Captain Jack Grunawalt retired from the United States Navy, having earned many military decorations, including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Meritorious Service Medal w/2 Gold Stars, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal w/Combat "V", the Combat Action Ribbon, the Republic of Vietnam Distinguished Service Order Second Class, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm.

Professor Grunawalt joined the U.S. Naval War College faculty in 1986 as the Charles H. Stockton Professor of International Law, the College's oldest and most prestigious academic chair. Professor Grunawalt was the first military officer to move directly from active service to the Chair. Professor Grunawalt was the author of the Commander's Handbook on the Law of Naval Operation, an official U.S. Navy publication that was expanded into a separate annotated edition for uniformed lawyers. The handbook has not only been regarded as the finest military manual of its kind in the world but has also been instrumental in shaping international law principles to preserve essential navigational rights and freedoms and has been crucial in ensuring that the legal regime regulating the means and methods of warfare realistically reflects U.S. military requirements. This work continues to serve as a primary source of guidance for many of the world's Naval Forces.

In response to the 1987 Iraqi Exocet missile attack on USS Stark (FFG-31). Professor Grunawalt developed an intense three-day course in Operational Law which continues to be regularly and successfully presented to fleet audiences throughout the world. Jack followed this up with similar courses for the Joint Targeting School and courses on the Rules of Engagement for the surface, aviation, and submarine warfare communities.

In 1989, as a result of the just concluded Iran/Iraq Tanker War, the Naval War College established the Oceans Law and Policy Department, choosing Professor Grunawalt to serve as its first ever Director. Under Professor Grunawalt's dynamic direction, the Naval War College established itself as being at the forefront of addressing such vital issues as high seas freedoms of navigation and overflight, innocent passage through territorial seas, transit passage of international straits, neutral and belligerent rights, naval targeting, mine and counter-mine warfare, the inherent right of self-defense, and flag nation authority and responsibility over merchant shipping.

In the area of legal scholarship, Professor Grunawalt oversaw the renaissance of the Naval War College's highly regarded International Law Studies (the "Blue Book") series as its editor, contributing to ten volumes during his tenure.

Upon his retirement from the U.S. Naval War College in 1998, Jack was the subject of a much-deserved Resolution by the Rhode Island State Senate, formally congratulating him on his retirement.

After retiring, "Captain Jack" greatly enjoyed traveling and exploring extensively throughout the world and pursuing such varied passions as reading, stamp collecting, bird watching, shark tooth collecting, and deftly completing complex jigsaw puzzles and crossword puzzles. Jack is survived by his daughter Laura Grunawalt, his son Kurt Grunawalt, his daughter-in-law, Robin Grunawalt, his granddaughter Jordan Grunawalt, his grandson Connor Grunawalt, his sister-in-law Julie Grunawalt, his niece Katrin Grunawalt, and his very dear friend Becky Russell. Jack maintained close lifelong friendships with many people, including Ralph and Alice Thomas, Gary and Doreen Palmer, Morris and Cynde Sinor, Gary and Doreen Palmer, George and Phyllis Walker, Dennis and Sherrie Mandsager, his neighbors, Paul and Cindy Swanson, and just about everyone else he ever met. All who knew Jack Grunawalt will never forget his hilarious sense of humor, his intelligence and quick wit, his unswerving loyalty, his warm charm and friendliness, and his love and devotion to his country, to his family, and to his friends.


Military Funeral Burial will held at Arlington National Cemetery, 1 Memorial Avenue, Arlington, Virginia 22211 on March 24, 2026 at 9:00am.