Cao Hong serves as interim Navy Secretary after Pentagon announcement John Phelan’s departurewho has taken on the role so far. While no official reason was given for Phelan’s departure, Reuters cited sources saying he had been fired.
Phelan’s Fire reportedly fired A few weeks ago, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired the Army’s top officer, General Randy George. However, Cao will now take on that responsibility. He is a 25-year Navy veteran who has served in combat zones. Chao previously defeated Democratic Senator Tim Kaine in the 2024 U.S. Senate race. President Donald Trump endorsed him in the Republican primary.
ALSO READ | Why were Army generals David Holden and William Green fired after Randy George? What we know so far
Cao was known to take a hard line against communist ideology. He compared the communist regime in Vietnam during the Cold War to the Joe Biden administration. He also said during the campaign that “we are losing our country.” Cao then added, “You know that. But you also know you can’t say it. We are forced to say wrong is right. We are forced to lie.”
Although he will take on a new role in the Navy, the main story here is about Cao Hong’s wife, children and family.
Cao Hong: Wife, kids and family; all you need to know
Cao Hong is married to his wife April Lakata. Here’s everything you need to know about her.
- She was born and raised in Northern Virginia.
- April Lakata is an author who is “dedicated to encouraging families of faith and working every day to strengthen relationships in their parents and marriages,” her author bio reportedly reads.
- Lakata is a contributing author of the award-winning book Faith Deployed…Again.
- April Lakata has also been published in Focus on the Family’s Thriving Families magazine.
- She has also served as a ghostwriter for several columns published in The Washington Post and The Washington Times.
Grace is one of Cao and April’s five children. Cao had already posted a post when he got married last year. “When your little girl is no longer a little girl. Congratulations to my daughter Grace and my new son-in-law Connor,” he commented.
Cao’s son Gabriel also followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Navy. Cao wrote in LinkedIn “I am so happy for my beloved son and his 1199 classmates who said, ‘One link in the rope, the strength of the chain makes the difference. Who knows when you will be tested? Stay alive and bear the pressure!’ Go to the Navy!!! 1996 + 30.”
Cao and April’s other children are Claire, Evelyn and Liam. As for his family, Cao’s parents are Quan Cao and Ngoc-Tram Nguyen. The former was an assistant to the deputy prime minister in charge of economic development in Vietnam, and his family immigrated to the United States after the war. Cao’s father passed away in 2022, obituary It’s for him.
Cao also has married siblings. They include Thuy and Michael Lynch, Van and Thuan Tran, Diep and Ngan Duong, Hai and Michael Eastman.
