William R. Merz

William R. Merz is an American flag officer, former vice chief of naval operations for warfare systems and vice admiral in the United States Navy, serving as commander of Seventh Fleet since November 2019.[1] Merz's aboard assignments includes USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19),[2] "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.

This article is about the American naval officer. For the gymnast, see William Merz.
William R. Merz
Vice Admiral William R. Merz, September 2017
Nickname(s)Bill Merz
BornSan Diego, California
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service1986–present
Rank Vice admiral
AwardsNavy Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal (2)
Legion of Merit (5)
Battenberg Cup (Atlantic Fleet)

Education

Bill Merz was born in San Diego, California. In 1986, he graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering, and later attended the Naval War College and Catholic University of America where he received master's degree. Merz received a security studies degree through "MIT seminar XXI program".[3]

Career

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, Los Angeles-class submarine USS Memphis and submarine squadron.[4]

In 2017 when rear admiral Merz was serving as the director for undersea warfare division-N97, he was promoted to the rank of vice admiral.[5]

Awards and decorations

References
  1. "New U.S. 7th Fleet Commander Takes Charge". USNI News. September 12, 2019.
  2. "Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet calls on US 7th Fleet Commander". October 16, 2019 – via Business Standard.
  3. "Vice Admiral William R. Merz Deputy Chief of Naval" (PDF).
  4. "U.S. Navy Biographies - VICE ADMIRAL WILLIAM R. MERZ". www.navy.mil.
  5. "Flag Officer Announcements". U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.
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