Hung Cao
Hung Cao is an American politician and former United States Navy officer.
Hung Cao is a former U.S. Navy officer and Republican politician who became acting secretary of the Navy in April 2026. Born in Saigon, he came to the United States as a child refugee.
Background and military service
Cao was born in Saigon, South Vietnam, in 1971 and arrived in the U.S. as a refugee in 1975. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and later earned a master’s degree from the Naval Postgraduate School. He served on active duty from 1989 to 2021, retiring as a captain, with roles in special operations and Navy budgeting.
Political campaigns
After retiring from the Navy, Cao entered politics as a Republican in Virginia. He was the party’s nominee for Virginia’s 10th congressional district in 2022 and for the U.S. Senate in 2024. He lost both elections.
Navy leadership appointment
President Donald Trump nominated Cao as under secretary of the Navy in 2025, and the Senate confirmed him later that year. He became acting secretary of the Navy on April 22, 2026, following the departure of the previous secretary.
In short
- Born in Vietnam, arrived as a refugee in 1975
- Served 32 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a captain
- Republican nominee for U.S. House (2022) and Senate (2024) in Virginia
- Became acting secretary of the Navy in April 2026
Quick questions
Who is Hung Cao?
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What offices did Hung Cao run for before joining Navy leadership?
Sources
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hung_CaoSupports: Basic biography, birth year, military service, political candidacies, and Navy leadership roles.
- U.S. Navy — https://www.navy.mil/Leadership/Flag-Officer-Biographies/BioDisplay/Article/4156165/acting-secretary-of-the-navy-hung-cao/Supports: Official confirmation that Hung Cao assumed responsibility as Acting Secretary of the Navy on April 22, 2026.
- Stars and Stripes — https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2025-10-01/senate-confirms-hung-cao-navy-undersecretary-19289861.htmlSupports: Confirmation as under secretary of the Navy, Navy service background, and prior Virginia campaigns.
- Simon & Schuster — https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Hung-Cao/231554760Supports: Refugee background, education, Navy service, family details, and Virginia residence.
- The Washington Times — https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/apr/23/hung-cao-new-acting-navy-secretary/Supports: Birthplace, refugee background, Navy entry, and later political career.