US President Donald Trump has nominated combat veteran Hung Cao for the post of US Navy Secretary. If his nomination is confirmed by the Senate, Cao will succeed the former secretary of the navy, John Phelan. The nomination comes at a turbulent time against the backdrop of the ongoing US Iran war.
President Trump’s Nomination Announcement
US President Donald Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social to announce his nominee for the role of US Navy Secretary. “The Senate needs to confirm this Warfighter, ASAP, so he can continue the fantastic work he has been doing over the past 4 months “, the President wrote. In response, Cao described the nomination as the “honor of a lifetime to lead the great warriors of the Navy and Marine Corps team.”
Who is Hung Cao?
Hung Cao is a retired U.S. Navy captain and former special operations officer who has been serving as acting Secretary of the Navy since April 2026. came to the United States as refugees from Vietnam in 1975. He spent 25 years in the Navy as a special operations officer and went on to serve with SEAL teams and special forces in Iraq and Afghanistan unlike predecessor John Phelan who unexpectedly resigned in April 2026. His nomination was announced by President Trump on September 1, 2026.
Hung Cao: Age
Hung Cao was born in 1971 in Saigon, South Vietnam. He is 55 years old. Other details like his exact date of birth are not public.
Hung Cao: Net Worth
Specific details regarding the personal net worth of Wendell Berry have not been publicly disclosed. But some estimates suggest that it may be in the range of $1 million to $3 million.
Hung Cao: Career
During his extensive 25 year career, Hung Cao has worked as a Navy officer, senior government positions and private-sector work at defense contractor CACI International. He served as a Navy Diver and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Officer, conducting underwater and counter-improvised-threat missions.
While in the military, he was deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia. After retiring as a Navy Captain in 2021, Cao became a Vice President and Client Executive at CACI International, working on electronic warfare, counter-drone technology, communications and shipyard infrastructure projects.
He tried a brief stint at politics annd unsuccessfully ran as the Republican candidate for Virginia’s 10th Congressional District. Two years later, he competed against Democrat Tim Kaine for for the U.S. Senate .
In October 2025, Cao was Confirmed by the Senate as Under Secretary of the Navy, . In April 2026, he became the Acting Navy Secretary post John Phelan’s exit and on September 1, President Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Cao as the permanent Secretary of the Navy
Hung Cao: Education
Hug Cao was a part of the inaugural class of the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Virginia. He got a bachelor’s degree in Ocean Engineering from the US Naval Academy’s Class of 1996.
After that, he completed his masters degree in Applied Physics from the Naval Postgraduate School. Additionally, Cao was a fellow at MIT Seminar XXI and the Harvard Kennedy School. He is fluent in 3 languages — English, Vietnamese & French.
Hung Cao: Wife
Hug Cao is married to writer and author April Lakata. The couple share five children together: Gabriel, Grace, Claire, Evelyn and Liam. Cao has publicly praised her for supporting the family through his military career, including numerous relocations .
Hung Cao: Achievements
Some of Hung Cao’s achievements include:
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Serving as a Navy Diver and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer.
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Conducting military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia.
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Qualifying as a Navy Special Operations, EOD and Diving Officer, Naval Parachutist and Surface Warfare Officer.
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Leading underwater and counter-improvised-threat missions in support of Special Warfare and Special Forces.
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Becoming Under Secretary of the Navy in 2025, confirmed by the Senate.
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Becoming Acting Secretary of the Navy in 2026.
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Getting nominated for US Navy Secretary by President Trump.
