Hung Cao Biography: Age, Family, U.S. Navy Secretary, Senate Run, Career, Net Worth

Hung Cao is a prominent American politician, retired military officer, and government official who has built a remarkable career spanning decades of elite military service and national politics. After serving 25 years as a United States Navy Special Operations and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officer, Cao transitioned into the political arena, running high-profile campaigns for the U.S. House in 2022 and the U.S. Senate in 2024. His unwavering commitment to public service culminated in his appointment within the second Donald Trump administration. As of 2026, Hung Cao serves as the Acting United States Secretary of the Navy, a testament to his extensive defense background and leadership capabilities. This in-depth biography covers his inspiring early life as a refugee, his military career, his political journey, and his current net worth.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Hung Cao’s life story is deeply rooted in the pursuit of the American Dream. He was born on August 3, 1971, in Saigon, South Vietnam. His father, Quan Cao, was an agricultural specialist and assistant to the deputy prime minister of South Vietnam, having previously earned a Ph.D. at Cornell University. In 1975, when Hung was just four years old, his family fled the fall of Saigon and arrived in the United States as refugees.

Shortly after arriving in America, his family moved to West Africa (including Niger), where his father worked on agricultural projects for USAID. Cao eventually returned to the U.S., settling in Northern Virginia at the age of twelve. A gifted student, he was accepted into the inaugural class of the prestigious Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Virginia.

Following high school, Cao pursued a life of military service. He initially entered the Navy as a Seaman Recruit in 1989 before gaining admission to the United States Naval Academy. He graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering. He later furthered his education, earning a Master of Science in Applied Physics from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, in 2008. He also completed fellowships at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Harvard Kennedy School.

Career Journey

Decades of Elite Military Service

Hung Cao’s military career is defined by high-stakes operations and elite leadership. Commissioned as a Special Operations Officer, he became a highly qualified Navy Diver and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Officer. Over a career spanning more than 25 years, he led underwater missions globally and deployed multiple times to combat zones, including Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia.

During his final tour of duty, he led sensitive activities, counter-messaging, and counter-drone operations for Special Operations Command. After returning to Guam—where he had initially arrived as a refugee decades earlier—to oversee major defense infrastructure projects, he officially retired from active duty in October 2021 with the rank of Captain. Following his retirement, he briefly worked in the private sector as a Vice President and Client Executive at CACI International, focusing on defense technology and shipyard infrastructure.

Entering the Political Arena

Citing the Biden administration’s chaotic 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan as his primary motivation, Cao entered politics.

• 2022 House Bid: He ran as the Republican candidate for Virginia’s 10th congressional district. Despite a strong campaign in a district with large military and Asian American populations, he was narrowly defeated by incumbent Democrat Jennifer Wexton (53% to 47%).
• 2024 Senate Bid: Undeterred, Cao secured the endorsement of former President Donald Trump and won the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate in Virginia. He faced incumbent Senator Tim Kaine in the November 2024 general election, ultimately losing by a margin of 54% to 45%.

Trump Administration and Secretary of the Navy

Despite his electoral defeats, Cao’s robust military background caught the attention of the second Trump administration. In February 2025, President Trump nominated Cao to serve as the 35th United States Under Secretary of the Navy. He was confirmed by the Senate and sworn in by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on October 3, 2025.

His tenure quickly accelerated. On April 22, 2026, following the unexpected departure of Navy Secretary John Phelan amid global defense challenges, Hung Cao was elevated to the position of Acting United States Secretary of the Navy. In this role, he has been deeply involved in high-level defense strategies, including navigating budget hearings and managing the Navy’s strategic posture regarding conflicts in Iran and the deployment of advanced unmanned aircraft like the MQ-25A Stingray.

Career Stats: Military and Government Roles

• U.S. Navy Officer (1989–2021): Special Operations, EOD, Deep Sea Diving, Captain.
• CACI International (2021–2022): Vice President and Client Executive.
• Republican Political Candidate (2022, 2024): Virginia 10th District and U.S. Senate.
• Under Secretary of the Navy (2025–2026): Confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
• Acting Secretary of the Navy (April 2026–Present): Leading the U.S. Department of the Navy.

Personal Life

Hung Cao is a deeply devoted family man with strong ties to his local Virginia community.

Family, Wife, and Children

He has been married to his wife, April Lakata Cao, for many years. Together, they have five children—two sons and three daughters—including a pair of twins and one daughter adopted from Thailand. April took on the significant responsibility of homeschooling all five of their children. The family resides in Purcellville, Virginia, and they are active members of Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg.

Controversies

As a high-profile political candidate, Hung Cao faced scrutiny during his 2024 Senate run:

• “Witchcraft” and Background Comments: During a 2023 campaign interview, Cao made headlines for claiming that “witchcraft” had taken over Monterey, California, expressing his desire to prevent similar ideologies in Virginia. In the same interview, he remarked, “I’m African American because I grew up in Africa, too,” referencing his childhood years spent in West Africa as a refugee, a comment that drew widespread media attention.
• Disputed Injury Claims: In June 2024, reporting highlighted that Cao claimed in campaign appearances to be “100% disabled… from being blown up in combat many times.” However, records indicated he had not received a Purple Heart or the Navy’s Combat Action Ribbon, which are traditionally awarded for enemy-inflicted combat injuries. His campaign declined requests for clarification at the time.

Awards & Achievements

• Decorated Combat Veteran: He is a qualified Navy Special Operations Officer, EOD Officer, Naval Parachutist, and Surface Warfare Officer.
• Senior Defense Official: Honored with overseeing on-island infrastructure in Guam, the very place his family arrived as refugees in 1975.
• Cabinet-Level Leadership: Ascended to the top civilian leadership of the U.S. Navy in 2026.

Physical Statistics

• Height: Approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm)
• Weight: Athletic/Military build
• Eye Color: Dark Brown
• Hair Color: Black/Gray

Quotes

• “Right now we’re doing a pause in order to make sure we have the munitions we need for Epic Fury.” (Testifying before Congress in May 2026 as Acting Navy Secretary)
• “Integrating unmanned refueling extends the lethality of our force.” (On the deployment of the MQ-25A Stingray)

Favorites

• Languages Spoken: Fluent in English, French, and Vietnamese.
• Military Discipline: Deep Sea Diving and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD).

Earnings

As of 2026, Hung Cao has an estimated net worth of $1.5 Million to $3 Million. His wealth is derived from his robust U.S. Navy Captain’s pension following a 25-year career, his high-level corporate executive position at CACI International, and his subsequent government salaries. As the Acting Secretary of the Navy, he earns an Executive Schedule Level I or Level II salary, which exceeds $200,000 annually.

Interesting Facts

• Inaugural Class: He was part of the very first graduating class of the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, widely considered one of the best high schools in the United States.
• Full Circle in Guam: He arrived in Guam as a four-year-old refugee fleeing Vietnam in 1975, and exactly 50 years later, he returned to the island as the Department of Defense’s Senior Defense Official.
• Harvard and MIT: Aside from his military academies, he completed prestigious fellowship programs at both MIT and Harvard.

Did you know already?

Did you know that Hung Cao enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Seaman Recruit before he ever stepped foot in the Naval Academy? He worked his way up from the very bottom of the enlisted ranks to eventually become the Acting Secretary of the Navy!

Social Media Links

While he operates in a high-level government capacity, you can find updates on his official Department of Defense platforms and archived campaign accounts:

• Official Navy Bio: Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao
• Twitter / X (Official): @SECNAV (Used for official Department of Navy communications)
• Twitter / X (Personal/Campaign): @HungCao_VA

FAQs

What is Hung Cao doing in 2026?

As of April 2026, Hung Cao is serving as the Acting United States Secretary of the Navy in the Donald Trump administration, stepping up from his previous role as Under Secretary of the Navy.

Did Hung Cao win his Senate race?

No, Hung Cao ran as the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate in Virginia in 2024 but lost to incumbent Democratic Senator Tim Kaine by a margin of 54% to 45%.

Where is Hung Cao from?

Hung Cao was born in Saigon, South Vietnam. He fled with his family as a refugee in 1975, briefly lived in West Africa, and grew up primarily in Northern Virginia.

What was Hung Cao’s rank in the military?

Hung Cao served for 25 years in the United States Navy as a Special Operations and EOD Officer, ultimately retiring with the rank of Captain (O-6).

Conclusion

Hung Cao’s life is a remarkable testament to resilience and duty. From escaping a war-torn country as a child to leading elite military operations around the globe, his story embodies the American ethos of service. Though his political campaigns for the House and Senate did not end in victory, his deep expertise in defense technology and strategy ultimately led him to the highest echelons of the Pentagon. Serving as the Acting Secretary of the Navy in 2026, Hung Cao continues to shape the future of the American armed forces.

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