Louis Iasiello

Louis V. Iasiello is a former Rear Admiral in the US Navy, where he served as chief of Navy chaplains. He is a well known Just War theorist, and his Ph.D. dissertation is entitled: Jus In Bello: Key Issues for a Contemporary Assessment of Just Behavior in War. He was, for a very brief period of time the president of the Washington Theological Union during 2007.

Educational Background

Iasiello is an alumnus of St. Bonaventure University. He has earned graduate degrees from Niagara University (Education), the Washington Theological Union (Divinity), Salve Regina College (International Relations), the Naval War College (National Security and Strategic Studies, and a Ph.D. from Salve Regina University.

Career

Iasiello was received into the Order of Friars Minor in August, 1973. He was ordained to priesthood on May 13, 1978.

Military career

Iasiello was commissioned as a Navy Chaplain Lieutenant (Junior Grade) in the Naval Reserves in 1981 and was recalled to active duty July 1983. His active duty assignments include: Naval Air Station, Memphis (83-85); U.S. Coast Guard, Kodiak, Alaska (85-86); USS Ranger (CV-61) deployed in Operation Earnest Will, and in other deployments to Korea and the Persian Gulf (86-87); Second Marine Division; (8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Regiment, Marine Forces Panama) including two deployments to Norway, Operation Just Cause, Panama, and with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Special Operations Capable [MEU SOC] (87-90). Other assignments include: Naval War College Command and Staff, distinguished military graduate (90-91); United States Naval Academy, staff and faculty (91-94); Joint Task Force 160 (Cuba and Haiti); Armed Forces Staff College (94); Assistant Fleet Chaplain, U.S. Atlantic Fleet and Deputy Chaplain, U. S. Atlantic Command (94-97); Director for Operational Ministry, Atlantic Fleet (97-98); and Director, Naval Chaplains School (98-00). After selection to flag rank, Rear Adm. Iasiello became the first Chaplain Corps flag officer to be appointed Chaplain of the United States Marine Corps (00-03). He has served on a Defense Task Force and has lectured at a number of the military's war and staff colleges. The Senate confirmed his appointment as the 23rd Chief of Navy Chaplains, July 2003. He retired October 2006 and assumed the duties of President and Rector of the Washington Theological Union. He currently serves on numerous boards and advisory councils.

Personal decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (Gold Star in lieu of second award), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards); Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), Coast Guard Commendation Medal; Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal; the Combat Action Ribbon and numerous other unit and service citations and awards.

Publications

Iasiello has been published in numerous periodicals and books, most recently in the Naval War College Review (Summer/Fall 04): Jus Post Bellum: Moral Obligations of the Victors of War.