William R. Merz

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]

This article is about the American naval officer. For the gymnast, see William Merz.
William R. Merz
Merz in 2019
Nickname(s)Bill Merz
Born (1963-03-10) March 10, 1963
San Diego, California
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1986–2022
RankVice Admiral
Commands heldUnited States Seventh Fleet
AwardsNavy 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

Bill 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
Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Vice Adm. Bill Merz salutes side boys as he arrives at the Fleet Activities Yokosuka Theater for the 7th Fleet change of command.

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
Gold star
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Gold star
Gold star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Submarine Warfare Officer Insignia
Navy Distinguished Service Medal with award star
Defense Superior Service Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster Legion of Merit with four award stars Meritorious Service Medal with three award stars
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with award star Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with award star Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Navy Unit Commendation Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with two bronze service stars Navy E Ribbon, 1st award
Navy Expeditionary Medal with bronze service star National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star Southwest Asia Service Medal with bronze service star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Armed Forces Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one silver and three bronze service stars Navy Arctic Service Ribbon
Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze service star Order of the Rising Sun, 2nd Class[11] Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal
Deep Submergence Insignia in gold
Command at Sea insignia
Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

References
  1. "PN936 — 99th Congress (1985-1986)". U.S. Congress. Retrieved 2021-06-07.
  2. Birth Index, 1905-1995. Sacramento, California: State of California Department of Health Services, Center for Health Statistics.
  3. 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.
  4. "United States Navy Flag Officers (Public), August 2022" (PDF). MyNavyHR. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 2, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  5. "United States Navy Flag Officers (Public), October 2022" (PDF). MyNavyHR. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 1, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  6. "New U.S. 7th Fleet Commander Takes Charge". USNI News. September 12, 2019.
  7. "COMMANDER, U.S. 7th FLEET TO HOLD CHANGE OF COMMAND". U.S. Navy. 2021-07-06. Retrieved 2021-07-08.
  8. "Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet calls on US 7th Fleet Commander". Business Standard India. October 16, 2019 – via Business Standard.
  9. "Vice Admiral William R. Merz Deputy Chief of Naval" (PDF).
  10. "U.S. Navy Biographies - VICE ADMIRAL WILLIAM R. MERZ". www.navy.mil.
  11. "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.
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