John Hagan (sailor)

Early life and education

Hagan was born in Luton, United Kingdom on May 20, 1946. He was born to an American father and British mother. He moved to Asheville, North Carolina when he was very young. He grew up there and also attended schools there.

United States Navy

After high school, Hagan enlisted in the United States Navy in December 1964 and attended basic training at Recruit Training Center, San Diego, California. He then attended Electronics Technician "A" School at Naval Training Center, Treasure Island, California, and completed a short assignment at Naval Air Test Center Patuxent River, Maryland.

After he completed Ground Control Approach Radar Technician School at Naval Air Technical Training Center, Glynco, Georgia, he reported to Naval Air Station, Whidbey Island, Washington, as the Leading Petty Officer for the Maintenance Division. During his tour there, he earned an Associate of Arts degree.

Hagan's next assignment was aboard USS Lester (DE-1022), homeported in Naples, Italy. During a subsequent tour of sea duty as a maintenance technician at Underwater Demolition Team 21 in Little Creek, Virginia, he was advanced to Chief Petty Officer and qualified as a naval parachutist. While assigned to a shore tour at Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center in Louisville, Kentucky, he was advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer. While there, he earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from McKendree University.

In September 1980, he reported aboard USS Richmond K. Turner (CG-20), homeported in Charleston, South Carolina. While there, he qualified as an Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist and was advanced to Master Chief Petty Officer. Shortly after reporting to his next assignment at the Naval Air Technical Training Center at Memphis, Tennessee, he was selected as the Force Master Chief for the Chief of Naval Technical Training.

In April 1988 Master Chief Hagan reported to Norfolk, Virginia, as the first Command Master Chief of PCU Philippine Sea (CG-58). After the vessel's commissioning the following year, she reported to her homeport in Mayport, Florida, and subsequently deployed to the Red and Mediterranean Seas in support of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. During this tour of duty, he qualified as Officer of the Deck (Underway), a qualification normally reserved for commissioned officers.

Soon after reporting to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Warfare Squadron (Light) 48 at Mayport, Florida, as the Command Master Chief, Hagan was selected as the eighth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy. He assumed his position as the eighth MCPON on 28 August 1992.

While acting as MCPON, John Hagan is perhaps most infamously remembered for asking the commanding officer of the USS Roosevelt (CVN-71), Captain Stanley Bryant, to repeal his ship wide ban on smoking and cigarette sales. Hagan's successor, MCPON Jim Herdt, recalled this request taking place shortly after the tobacco industry lobbied the Morale, Welfare, and Reception subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee to require Navy Ships which eventually resulted in a US Code requiring the sale of tobacco aboard all Navy ships.

Hagan retired as MCPON in 1998.

Later life

Hagan also sits on the Board of Advisors for Veterans Direct.

Personal life

John Hagan is married to Cathy Hagan. They have three children, Robert Hagan, Melissa Smith, and Melody Blanchard. Robert Hagan, the oldest, retired from the Marine Corps in 2014, and is married to Linda Hagan, with two children. Melissa Smith is 44 years old and married to Deane Smith, a master chief in the Coast Guard. She has three children. Melody Blanchard is married to Lloyd Blanchard, a consultant, with one child.

Awards and decorations