William Rhode Merz[1] (born March 10, 1963)[2][3] is a retired United States Navy vice admiral who last served as deputy chief of naval operations for operations, plans and strategy from August 6, 2021 to October 7, 2022.[4][5] He previously served as commander of U. S. Seventh Fleet from 2019 to 2021.[6][7]
William R. Merz | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Merz in 2019 | |
| Nickname(s) | Bill Merz |
| Born | March 10, 1963 San Diego, California |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1986–2022 |
| Rank | Vice Admiral |
| Commands | United States Seventh Fleet |
| Awards | Navy Distinguished Service Medal (3) Defense Superior Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (5) Battenberg Cup (Atlantic Fleet) |
Merz's aboard assignments include USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19),[8] "Submarine Group Seven" and Task Force 74. As a flag officer, he was assigned to commands at naval mine destroyer ships and anti-submarine warfare command. Later, he was appointed to Task Force 77 stationed at San Diego and TF-54 in Bahrain.
Education
editBill Merz was born in San Diego, California. In 1986, he graduated with merit from the United States Naval Academy, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ocean Engineering. He later earned Master's Degrees from The Catholic University of America and the Naval War College. VADM Merz also completed the MIT seminar XXI program and the University of Virginia "Strategic Thinking" program.[9]
Career
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VADM Merz served as a director during his ashore flag officer assignments, including Naval Undersea Warfare Center for a ballistic missile submarine program (OPNAV N97). Later, he was appointed as the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for warfare systems (DCNO OPNAV N9). His submarine design research assignments includes commanding officer of the U.S. naval reactors, chief of staff for the Submarine Force Commander. As a submariner, Merz was assigned to USS Haddo in San Diego, USS Proteus in Guam, and USS Boise in Norfolk. After serving aboard, he was assigned to command the deep-submergence vehicle NR-1, Los Angeles-class submarine USS Memphis and a submarine squadron.[10]
Awards and decorations
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References
edit- ^ "PN936 — 99th Congress (1985-1986)". U.S. Congress. Retrieved 2021-06-07.
- ^ Birth Index, 1905-1995. Sacramento, California: State of California Department of Health Services, Center for Health Statistics.
- ^ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy on Active Duty. Bureau of Naval Personnel. October 1, 1990. p. 123. Retrieved 2021-06-22.
- ^ "United States Navy Flag Officers (Public), August 2022" (PDF). MyNavyHR. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 2, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
- ^ "United States Navy Flag Officers (Public), October 2022" (PDF). MyNavyHR. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 1, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
- ^ "New U.S. 7th Fleet Commander Takes Charge". USNI News. September 12, 2019.
- ^ "COMMANDER, U.S. 7th FLEET TO HOLD CHANGE OF COMMAND". U.S. Navy. 2021-07-06. Retrieved 2021-07-08.
- ^ "Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet calls on US 7th Fleet Commander". Business Standard India. October 16, 2019 – via Business Standard.
- ^ "Vice Admiral William R. Merz Deputy Chief of Naval" (PDF).
- ^ "U.S. Navy Biographies - VICE ADMIRAL WILLIAM R. MERZ". www.navy.mil.
- ^ "Courtesy call by Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet, VADM William R. MERZ to Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense, ONISHI Hiroyuki and Order Presentation Ceremony". Ministry of Defence, Japan. 2021-07-08.