Vice Adm. Bill Merz is a native of San Diego, California and a 1986 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, earning a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering. He also earned master’s degrees from Catholic University, the Naval War College and Naval Command College, and he completed MIT’s Seminar XXI program.

Operational flag tours included Naval Mine & Anti-Submarine Warfare Command (NMAWC) and Task Force 77 in San Diego, Task Force 54 in Bahrain, Task Force 74 in Japan, and commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, embarked aboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), also in Japan. The oldest ship in the Fleet, during the COVID era Blue Ridge eclipsed every ship endurance record covering her 40-year history.  Shore-side flag assignments included director, Undersea Warfare Division (OPNAV N97), deputy CNO for Warfighting Requirements (OPNAV N9), and deputy CNO for Operations, Plans and Strategy (OPNAV N3N5).

A career submariner, Merz qualified aboard USS Haddo (SSN 604) in San Diego and upon retirement was the last remaining “594 Tough” Permit-class submariner (formerly Thresher class). Following Haddo, he qualified surface warfare aboard USS Proteus (AS 19) in Guam. At the time, Proteus was the last remaining U.S. ship also present in Tokyo Bay for the end of WWII in the Pacific, and while assigned the crew earned the Humanitarian Service Medal in response to the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in Luzon, Philippines. He then served as engineer officer aboard USS Boise (SSN 764) in Norfolk, followed by command of the nuclear deep-sea vessel (DSV) “NR-1”, command of the attack submarine USS Memphis (SSN 691), and major command of Submarine Development Squadron 12.

Other assignments included ship design research in Carderock, Naval Reactors Line Locker (NAVSEA 08) in the Washington Navy Yard, chief of staff for Commander Submarine Forces in Norfolk, and Financial Management tours in the Pentagon on the Navy Staff (N80 Bullpen) and Joint Staff (J8 PBAD).

Over the course of 10 deployments to all of the world’s oceans, with significant time in the Arctic and Pacific, the crews he served with earned eight unit awards, five Battle “E”s, the Fleet’s Battenberg Cup, and conducted the fastest ever under-ice polar transit.

Merz is also an Honorary U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer.

Last Updated: 13 October 2022