GUEST SPEAKER 2025 REUNION ANNAPOLIS, MD.

 Captain James Kirkland Tolbert, USN   2/151988 - 2/9/1990    

Captain James Kirtland Tolbert is a native of Greenwood, South Carolina.  He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1964 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Naval Science and a com-mission of Ensign., USN.  Since graduation his assignments have spanned the full range of the spectrum.

Capt. Tolbert’s ship assignments have included duty aboard USS CALIENTE (AO-530), USS KALMIA (ATA-184), USS VOELGESANG (DD-862), USS WILLIAM M. WOOD (DD-715), USS MOUNT BAKER (AE-34) and USS SEATTLE (AOE-3).  In these assignments Capt. Tolbert has served in various billets up to and including Commanding Officer.

His shore assignments have included staff duties with the Commander Naval Recruiting Command, the Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force and the commander Naval Military Personnel  Command. Capt. Tolbert has also served at the Surface Warfare Officers School Command as an instructor for Prospective Commanding Officers.

Capt. Tolbert earned a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Golden Gate University in July 1978, graduating with distinction.  He is also an alumnus of the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island having graduated from the College of Naval Warfare in June 1980 and the Integrated Warfare Course in March 1983.

His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with a gold star, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal  with three gold stars, the Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal, the Navy Expeditionary Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Sea Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Ribbon.

Capt. Tolbert is married to the former Nancy Jean Anania of Youngstown, OH.  They have two children, Jennifer and Stephen.