A life of service.

From Minnesota to fleet operations and command.
Explore the chapters, or play the story.

From the personal archive · 2026

Letters at retirement.

These photographs and letters document personal and military history. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement of Fourte’s businesses.

Archival image credits: USS Cole: DoD / Sgt. Don L. Maes, October 29, 2000 · Wellstone: U.S. Senate · Bush: Eric Draper / White House · Clinton: official presidential portrait · Biden: Adam Schultz / White House. Portraits are archival and not necessarily contemporaneous with the milestone. Governor Sherrill: Office of the Governor, official portrait · Map outlines: Natural Earth · Pacific Fleet: official overview. Personal photographs courtesy of Michael Fourte.

Ribbon artwork & award references

Ribbon illustrations: U.S. military award designs, via Wikimedia Commons. Devices shown as illustrative overlays. Personal descriptions draw on Captain Fourte’s account and award records dated 2000–2019. General award and device explanations follow military references. The 2001 Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal operation has not yet been identified.

Navy awards and devices · Armed Forces Decorations and Awards · National Defense eligibility periods · Cyclone Idai relief

Legion of Merit · Defense Meritorious Service Medal · Meritorious Service Medal · Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal · Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal · Joint Meritorious Unit Award · Navy Unit Commendation · Meritorious Unit Commendation · Navy “E” Ribbon · Navy Expeditionary Medal · National Defense Service Medal · Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal · Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal · Global War on Terrorism Service Medal · Humanitarian Service Medal · Sea Service Deployment Ribbon · Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon · Navy Recruiting Service Ribbon · Armed Forces Reserve Medal · Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon · Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon