Hung Cao Biography
Hung Cao is a Vietnamese-American military veteran, engineer, and public servant known for his leadership in U.S. defense and politics. He was born on August 3, 1971, in Saigon, Vietnam. His family fled Vietnam in 1975 as refugees, shaping his strong views on freedom and national security. He later grew up in the United States and built a distinguished career in the military.
Cao joined the U.S. Navy in 1989 and graduated from the United States Naval Academy. He specialized in explosive ordnance disposal and deep-sea diving. He served over 30 years in the Navy and retired as a captain in 2021. Moreover, he deployed to combat zones including Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia. His service earned him multiple military honors, including the Bronze Star Medal.
After retiring, Cao entered politics as a Republican candidate. In 2022, he ran for Congress in Virginia but lost the general election. Then, in 2024, he secured the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate race. However, he lost to incumbent Senator Tim Kaine. Despite these losses, he gained national recognition as a rising political figure.
In 2025, President Donald Trump nominated Cao as Under Secretary of the Navy. The Senate confirmed him, and he assumed office in October 2025. In April 2026, he became Acting U.S. Secretary of the Navy, marking a major milestone in his career.
Additionally, Cao holds advanced degrees in engineering and applied physics. He also worked with defense agencies and national security programs. He is married to April Cao, and they have five children. His journey from refugee to top defense leader highlights resilience and leadership.
Hung Cao Age | How Old is Hung Cao?
Hung Cao is 54 years old as of 2026, and he was born on August 3, 1971, in Saigon, Vietnam. Moreover, his age reflects decades of leadership and military experience. He served over 30 years in the U.S. Navy before retiring in 2021. Additionally, his journey from refugee to senior defense official highlights resilience and determination. His age aligns with his current leadership roles in national security and public service, making him a notable figure in American politics today.
Hung Cao Height | How Tall is Hung Cao?
Hung Cao stands 6 feet (183 cm) tall, which complements his strong military presence and leadership image. Moreover, his height reflects his physically demanding career in the U.S. Navy. His athletic build comes from decades of service and specialized training, including explosive ordnance disposal and diving operations. Additionally, his stature often reinforces his commanding public appearances in politics and defense roles. Therefore, Hung Cao’s height aligns with his disciplined lifestyle and professional background.
Hung Cao Education
Hung Cao received his education from top U.S. military institutions, which shaped his technical and leadership skills. He earned a Bachelor of Science from the United States Naval Academy, where he began his naval career. Moreover, he completed a Master of Science at the Naval Postgraduate School. His education focused on engineering and defense systems. These degrees supported his 30-year Navy career and national security roles, strengthening his expertise in military operations and leadership.
Hung Cao Political Party
Hung Cao is a member of the Republican Party, which defines his political alignment and policy views. Moreover, he has run as a Republican candidate in major elections, including his 2022 congressional race and 2024 Senate campaign. His platform focuses on national security, conservative values, and strong military leadership, reflecting his long Navy career. Additionally, his party affiliation has helped him gain national recognition. Therefore, Hung Cao remains an influential Republican figure in American politics and defense discussions.
Hung Cao Ethnicity
Hung Cao’s ethnicity is Vietnamese-American, reflecting both his cultural heritage and American identity. He is of Vietnamese descent and was born in Saigon, Vietnam, before moving to the United States as a refugee in 1975. Moreover, his background connects him to the Vietnamese diaspora in America. His ethnicity plays a key role in his public identity and leadership story, highlighting resilience and immigrant success. Therefore, Hung Cao represents both Vietnamese heritage and American national service.
Hung Cao Wife
Hung Cao is married to April Cao, who has been a central part of his family and personal life. They have been married since 1998 and share over 25 years together, showing a long-standing partnership. Moreover, April Cao is known for homeschooling their children and supporting their family life. Hung Cao and his wife have five children, including sons and daughters, reflecting a strong family foundation. Additionally, their marriage highlights stability and shared values, which often appear in his public image.
Hung Cao Children
Hung Cao and his wife have five children, reflecting a strong and family-centered lifestyle. He has two sons and three daughters, including one adopted child, which highlights their commitment to family values. Moreover, his wife played a key role in homeschooling their children throughout the years. His children grew up during his military service and frequent relocations. His large family remains an important part of his personal life and public identity, showing balance between leadership and family responsibilities.
Hung Cao Family | Parents & Siblings
Hung Cao is part of a Vietnamese-American family with strong roots in public service and education. His father, Quan Cao, worked in South Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and held a PhD from Cornell University, showing a strong academic background. Moreover, his family fled Vietnam in 1975 and resettled in the United States as refugees.
Additionally, Hung Cao has siblings, including sisters who also moved with the family during their early migration years. He spent part of his childhood in Niger due to his father’s international work. Later, the family returned to Virginia, where they rebuilt their lives. He is married to April Cao, and they have five children together, forming a strong family unit. Therefore, his family background reflects resilience, education, and global experience, shaping his leadership identity today.
Hung Cao US Navy Career | Service, Rank, Missions, and Military Achievements
Hung Cao is a retired U.S. Navy captain known for his long and decorated military career. He served in the U.S. Navy for over 30 years from 1989 to 2021, building deep expertise in special operations. Moreover, he specialized in explosive ordnance disposal and deep-sea diving missions. He completed deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia, strengthening his combat experience. Additionally, he graduated from the United States Naval Academy and later earned a master’s degree in applied physics.
Furthermore, Cao led critical missions, including underwater recovery and counter-terrorism operations. He also held leadership roles in defense innovation and special warfare units. His Navy service shaped his leadership style and later political career, especially in national security discussions. Therefore, Hung Cao’s U.S. Navy background remains central to his public identity and leadership reputation.
Hung Cao Secretary of the Navy | John Phelan Exit and Leadership Transition
Hung Cao currently serves as Acting U.S. Secretary of the Navy, following a major Pentagon leadership change. Moreover, John Phelan was removed from the role on April 22, 2026, after internal disagreements within the Department of Defense. Additionally, Phelan’s departure followed tensions over naval strategy and leadership direction under the Trump administration. Consequently, the Pentagon appointed Hung Cao, then Under Secretary, as acting successor.
Furthermore, John Phelan previously served as the 79th Secretary of the Navy from 2025 to 2026, focusing on modernization and shipbuilding programs. In contrast, Hung Cao brings a strong military background as a retired Navy captain and special operations officer. Therefore, his appointment signals continuity in defense leadership and reform priorities within the Navy.
Hung Cao Salary 2026
Hung Cao’s salary in 2026 reflects his role as Acting U.S. Secretary of the Navy, placing him under the Executive Schedule Level II pay scale for top federal officials. Moreover, this level typically earns around $200,000 to $230,000 annually depending on federal adjustments. (en.wikipedia.org) Additionally, when he served as Under Secretary of the Navy, he earned Executive Schedule Level III compensation, which is lower than his current position. His salary aligns with senior defense leadership standards. Therefore, Hung Cao’s earnings reflect his high-level responsibility overseeing Navy and Marine Corps operations within the U.S. government.
Hung Cao Net Worth
Hung Cao’s net worth in 2026 is estimated at around $3 million, reflecting his long military and public service career. Moreover, he earned most of his wealth through over 30 years in the U.S. Navy, where he retired as a captain. Additionally, he likely gained income from defense-related roles and consulting after military service. However, exact figures remain unconfirmed due to limited financial disclosure data for federal officials. Therefore, analysts base estimates on his service record and government positions. His net worth reflects steady earnings rather than high commercial wealth, consistent with senior military leaders.
