Hung Cao is a Vietnamese-American retired U.S. Navy captain, former political candidate and government official who has served as the Acting Secretary of the Navy since April 2026. A decorated combat veteran and former Navy special operations officer, Cao spent more than three decades connected to the U.S. Navy before moving into senior civilian roles within the Department of the Navy.
Cao was born in Saigon, South Vietnam, in 1971 and immigrated to the United States with his family in 1975. After arriving in America, his family later moved to West Africa because his father worked as a USAID agricultural specialist. Cao eventually returned to Northern Virginia at age 12 and went on to graduate from the inaugural class of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.
In 2026, Cao became a major figure in American national security after assuming the duties of Acting Secretary of the Navy on April 22. On September 1, 2026, President Donald Trump announced that he would nominate Cao to serve as the permanent Secretary of the Navy, meaning his nomination still requires Senate confirmation.
Hung Cao Profile Summary
| Profile | Details |
| Full Name | Hung Cao |
| Birth Name | Cao Hùng |
| Birth Year | 1971 |
| Age | 55 years old in 2026 |
| Birthplace | Saigon, South Vietnam |
| Nationality | American |
| Heritage | Vietnamese |
| Profession | Military officer, government official and politician |
| Military Branch | United States Navy |
| Military Rank | Captain |
| Years of Service | 1989–2021 |
| Current Position | Acting Secretary of the Navy |
| Permanent Nomination | Nominated by President Donald Trump in September 2026 |
| Wife | April Lakata Cao |
| Children | Five |
| Education | U.S. Naval Academy; Naval Postgraduate School |
| Political Party | Republican |
Hung Cao Early Life
Hung Cao was born in Saigon, South Vietnam, in 1971. His family left Vietnam in 1975 following the fall of South Vietnam and immigrated to the United States. After arriving in America, the family moved to West Africa, where Cao’s father worked as an agricultural specialist for the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Cao spent part of his childhood in West Africa before returning to Northern Virginia at the age of 12. His experience as a Vietnamese refugee who eventually built a life in the United States later became an important part of his public identity and political message.
After returning to Virginia, Cao attended Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. He was part of the school’s inaugural graduating class, establishing an academic foundation that eventually led him toward engineering, physics and a career in the U.S. Navy.
Hung Cao Education
Hung Cao graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Virginia. The school is known for its emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and Cao was part of its first graduating class.
Cao later attended the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He graduated in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in Ocean Engineering and subsequently entered the Navy as a commissioned officer after beginning his military journey as an enlisted sailor in 1989.
He later earned a Master of Science degree in Applied Physics from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. Cao was also a Fellow with MIT Seminar XXI and the Harvard Kennedy School, adding advanced academic and professional education to his military background.
Hung Cao Career
Hung Cao’s career spans military service, defense technology, politics and senior government leadership. His most prominent roles have come from his long service in the U.S. Navy and his subsequent appointment to senior civilian positions within the Department of the Navy.
U.S. Navy Career
Cao entered the U.S. Navy as a Seaman Recruit in 1989. After graduating from the Naval Academy, he became a Special Operations Officer and developed expertise in diving, explosive ordnance disposal and other specialized military operations.
As a Navy Diver and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer, Cao led underwater missions and counter-improvised-threat operations. His assignments included work with Special Warfare and Special Forces units, and he deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia. He also became qualified as a Naval Parachutist and Surface Warfare Officer.
During his final operational assignments, Cao led sensitive activities involving exploitation, counter-messaging and counter-drone operations in support of geographic combatant commanders and U.S. Special Operations Command.
Cao retired from active-duty service in October 2021 with the rank of Captain after more than 30 years associated with the Navy. He left the military as a decorated combat veteran with extensive experience in special operations and explosive ordnance disposal.
Defense Industry Career
Following his military retirement, Cao worked in the defense industry. Before returning to government service, he served as a Vice President and Client Executive at CACI International.
In that position, he worked on technologies and infrastructure supporting the Department of the Navy, including electronic warfare systems, counter-drone technology, optical communications, photonics, enterprise information technology and shipyard infrastructure.
Political Career
Cao also became involved in Republican politics and ran for federal office in Virginia. He was the Republican nominee for Virginia’s 10th Congressional District in 2022 and later ran for the U.S. Senate in Virginia in 2024.
Although he did not win either election, his political campaigns increased his national profile and established him as a prominent Republican veteran and Vietnamese-American political figure.
Under Secretary of the Navy
Cao returned to the Department of the Navy in a senior civilian position when he was sworn in as Under Secretary of the Navy on October 3, 2025. His military background and experience in defense technology made him a notable choice for the position.
Acting Secretary of the Navy
On April 22, 2026, Cao assumed the responsibilities of Acting Secretary of the Navy following the departure of John Phelan. In this role, he became the senior civilian leader responsible for the Department of the Navy, including the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.
As acting secretary, Cao has emphasized military readiness, troop welfare, shipbuilding and the operational needs of sailors and Marines. He has also issued policy messages emphasizing what he describes as a “warrior ethos” across the naval service.
Hung Cao Trending: Why Is Hung Cao Famous?
Hung Cao is trending in September 2026 because President Donald Trump has nominated him to become the permanent Secretary of the Navy. Trump announced the nomination on September 1, describing Cao as a strong military leader and urging the Senate to confirm him. The nomination comes after Cao had already served as acting secretary for more than four months.
If confirmed by the Senate, Cao would formally lead the Department of the Navy rather than continuing only in an acting capacity. The position carries responsibility for the Navy and Marine Corps and makes the office one of the most important civilian leadership positions in the U.S. military establishment.
Cao’s nomination is also attracting attention because of his unusual personal journey. He arrived in the United States as a Vietnamese refugee, spent part of his childhood in West Africa, returned to Virginia as a teenager and eventually became a decorated Navy captain before reaching one of the highest civilian positions in the Department of the Navy.
Hung Cao Personal Life
Hung Cao is married to April Lakata Cao, a writer and homeschooling mother. April has written extensively about faith, motherhood, marriage and military-family life, and she and Hung have collaborated on the book Call Me an American: Refugee to Patriot: Lessons Learned for a Strong America. The book recounts Hung’s life, his family’s immigration story and his military career.
Hung and April Cao have five children. Their family has experienced the frequent relocations and deployments associated with a military career, with April taking a major role in homeschooling their children.
The Caos have publicly incorporated faith and family into their lives. April’s writing has frequently focused on Christianity, marriage and military families, while Hung’s own public biography emphasizes the importance of his journey from Vietnamese refugee to American military officer and government leader.
Hung Cao Age, Religion, Nationality, Height and Physical Appearance
Hung Cao was born in 1971 and is 55 years old in 2026. He was born in Saigon, South Vietnam, and became an American citizen after immigrating to the United States with his family in 1975. His Vietnamese-American background is an important part of his public biography.
Cao is associated with Christianity and has publicly discussed faith as an important part of his life and family. He and his wife have been associated with Cornerstone Chapel in Virginia. However, specific details about his personal religious beliefs beyond his Christian association should not be overstated.
Hung Cao’s exact height is not reliably documented in authoritative public biographies. He has a military athletic build and is frequently photographed in military and professional attire, but specific measurements such as height and weight should not be presented as confirmed facts without reliable documentation.
Hung Cao Social Media Presence
Hung Cao has maintained a public social media presence throughout his military, political and government career. His accounts have been used to discuss military policy, national security, political issues and his work within the Department of the Navy.
His online presence became particularly relevant during his time as Acting Secretary of the Navy, when he used social media to communicate directly about military operations and issues affecting sailors and Marines. His public statements have also received coverage from national media.
Because social-media accounts and usernames can change, readers should verify the account identity before treating any particular profile as an official Hung Cao account.
Hung Cao Net Worth
Hung Cao’s exact personal net worth has not been publicly established. Unlike elected officials who may release detailed financial disclosures, estimates of his wealth found online do not provide enough reliable evidence to establish a precise figure.
His career has provided several potential sources of income, including more than three decades of military service, his work as a defense-industry executive and his later government positions. His military retirement and subsequent civilian employment would also contribute to his overall financial position.
A precise net-worth figure should therefore be treated as unverified. Based on his long military career, senior defense-industry position and subsequent government service, it is reasonable to describe Cao as financially established, but publicly available information does not justify presenting a specific dollar amount as fact.
Hung Cao Legacy
Hung Cao’s legacy is closely connected to his journey from Vietnamese refugee to decorated American military officer and senior government official. His childhood immigration story has become one of the defining elements of his public identity.
His more than 30 years of Navy service also form a major part of his legacy. His work as a Navy Diver, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer and Special Operations Officer took him into dangerous operational environments, including deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia.
His appointment to senior leadership within the Department of the Navy represents the latest stage of that career. His September 2026 nomination for permanent Secretary of the Navy could further define his legacy if he is confirmed by the Senate and becomes the permanent civilian leader of the Navy and Marine Corps.
Conclusion
Hung Cao is a Vietnamese-American retired Navy captain, combat veteran, former political candidate and senior government official whose extraordinary journey has taken him from refugee childhood to the highest levels of American naval leadership. After more than three decades of military service and subsequent work in the defense industry and government, he became Acting Secretary of the Navy in 2026. His nomination by President Donald Trump in September 2026 to serve permanently in the position has placed his career and life story firmly in the national spotlight.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hung Cao
Who is Hung Cao?
Hung Cao is a Vietnamese-American retired U.S. Navy captain, former political candidate and government official who has served as Acting Secretary of the Navy since April 2026.
How old is Hung Cao?
Hung Cao was born in 1971 and is 55 years old in 2026.
Where was Hung Cao born?
Hung Cao was born in Saigon, South Vietnam, now known as Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
When did Hung Cao come to America?
Hung Cao immigrated to the United States with his family in 1975 after the fall of South Vietnam.
Who is Hung Cao’s wife?
Hung Cao’s wife is April Lakata Cao, a writer and homeschooling mother.
How many children does Hung Cao have?
Hung Cao and his wife April have five children.
What did Hung Cao do in the Navy?
Hung Cao served as a Navy special operations officer, Navy Diver and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer. He deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia and retired as a Captain in 2021.
Where did Hung Cao go to college?
Hung Cao graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in Ocean Engineering. He later earned a master’s degree in Applied Physics from the Naval Postgraduate School.
Is Hung Cao the Secretary of the Navy?
Hung Cao has served as Acting Secretary of the Navy since April 22, 2026. On September 1, 2026, President Donald Trump nominated him to become the permanent Secretary of the Navy, but Senate confirmation is still required.
What political party is Hung Cao?
Hung Cao is a Republican. He previously ran for Congress and the U.S. Senate in Virginia.
Is Hung Cao Vietnamese?
Yes. Hung Cao was born in Saigon, South Vietnam, and immigrated to the United States with his family in 1975.
What is Hung Cao’s religion?
Hung Cao is associated with Christianity, and faith has been an important part of his family’s public life.
What is Hung Cao’s net worth?
Hung Cao’s exact net worth is not publicly known. Estimates online are not sufficiently reliable to establish a confirmed figure.
Why is Hung Cao famous?
Hung Cao is famous for his military career, his journey from Vietnamese refugee to decorated U.S. Navy captain, his political campaigns and his rise to Acting Secretary of the Navy. He is currently trending because President Donald Trump nominated him for the permanent Secretary of the Navy position in September 2026.