Trump Taps Refugee-Turned-Combat Veteran For Navy’s Second-Highest Role

Long-time U.S. Navy Veteran and former Republican congressional candidate Hung Cao was nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as the Undersecretary of the Navy, Trump announced on Truth Social late Thursday.

Cao, who served in the Navy for 25 years after he fled communist Vietnam in 1975 just before the Fall of Saigon, would be the second-highest civilian official in the Navy if confirmed by the U.S. Senate. He also served in various government roles throughout his career, including stints at the Pentagon, Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Cao will report to the Secretary of the Navy-designate John Phelan, who is awaiting Senate confirmation.

“I am pleased to announce that Hung Cao will be our next United States Under Secretary of the Navy,” Trump said on Truth Social. “Hung is the embodiment of the American Dream. As a refugee to our Great Nation, Hung worked tirelessly to make proud the Country that gave his family a home. He went to our amazing United States Naval Academy, and later earned his Master’s Degree in Physics. Hung served in combat as a Special Operations Officer for twenty five years. With Hung’s experience both in combat, and in the Pentagon, he will get the job done. Congratulations to Hung, and his wonderful family!”