Hung Cao

American politician and former military officer

American Saigon, South Vietnam

Quick Info

ProfessionAmerican politician and former military officer
NationalityAmerican
Date of Birth03/08/1971
Age54 years
BirthplaceSaigon, South Vietnam

Latest News about Hung Cao

22/04/2026

Hung Cao assumed the role of acting United States Secretary of the Navy on April 22, 2026, while continuing his position as the 35th Under Secretary of the Navy. In this capacity, he serves as the Department of Navy's Chief Operating Officer and Chief Management Officer, overseeing nearly one million Navy, Marine Corps and civilian personnel with an annual budget exceeding $250 billion.

Do you like Hung Cao?

You can vote only once.

Bio/Wiki

SummaryRetired Navy Captain who came to the United States as a refugee from Vietnam in 1975. Currently serving as the acting United States Secretary of the Navy since April 22, 2026, and as the 35th United States Under Secretary of the Navy since October 3, 2025. A decorated combat veteran and former Republican candidate for U.S. Senate and House of Representatives in Virginia.

Educational Qualification(s)

Bachelor's DegreeOcean Engineering
Master's DegreeApplied Physics
Other
  • Fellow with MIT Seminar XXI
  • Harvard Kennedy School fellowship
  • Naval Postgraduate School graduate

Personal Life

Languages
  • English
  • French
  • Vietnamese
ResidencePurcellville, Virginia

Family

SpouseApril
Children5

Career

Military Service
BranchUnited States Navy
RankCaptain
Service Period1989-2021
Qualifications
  • Navy Special Operations Officer
  • Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer
  • Deep Sea Diving Officer
  • Naval Parachutist
  • Surface Warfare Officer
Combat Deployments
  • Iraq
  • Afghanistan
  • Somalia
Non-Combat Roles
  • Pentagon budget management ($140 billion)
  • Joint Terrorism Task Force with Homeland Security and FBI
Government Positions
Under Secretary of the NavyOctober 3, 2025 - present
Acting Secretary of the NavyApril 22, 2026 - present
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Management OfficerOversees nearly one million Navy, Marine Corps and civilian personnel with annual budget exceeding $250 billion
Political Candidacies
U.S. House of RepresentativesVirginia's 10th congressional district (2022, lost to Jennifer Wexton)
U.S. SenateVirginia (2024, lost to Tim Kaine)

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Member of the inaugural graduating class of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria
2. Spent time in West Africa as a child before moving to Virginia
3. Family has relocated 13 times across the United States and internationally
4. Active in community and church activities in Purcellville, Virginia
5. Nominated by President Donald Trump as Under Secretary of the Navy in February 2025 and confirmed by the Senate
Information on this page is collected from public sources and may not be 100% accurate. Report an error
Scroll to Top