Tom Copeman, a Punahou School graduate and third generation U.S. Navy officer, was promoted May 30 to the rank of rear admiral at a ceremony held at the Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet Boathouse, overlooking Pearl Harbor.

Copeman graduated from Punahou in 1977, two classes ahead of Democratic presidential candidate Barrack Obama.

He earned his Navy commission in April 1982 and has served aboard cruisers and destroyers in both the Atlantic and Pacific. Copeman was the commanding officer of the USS Benfold, which in 1999 earned a Battle "E" award for being the most combat-ready unit in Commander, Destroyer Squadron Seven. He later served as sea combat commander for the George Washington Carrier Strike Group in the Arabian Gulf.

His most recent assignment was deputy chief of staff for operations and training for the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Copeman has a degree in biology from Creighton University and a master's degree in administration from Central Michigan University. Copeman's grandfather, Capt. Thomas H. Copeman, commanded five ships and earned a Silver Star and two Bronze Stars for Pacific actions in the Marianas and Philippines during World War II.

Cmdr. Thomas H. Copeman Jr., the new rear admiral's father, served aboard destroyers and cruisers throughout his 22-year Navy career. He is a Vietnam veteran and also taught at the U.S. Naval Academy.

Rear Adm. John Bird, Pacific Fleet deputy commander and chief of staff, described Tom Copeman, a 26-year Navy veteran, as having "exceptional character" and said he is "uniquely qualified" to be a leader like his father and grandfather were.