Adm. William Houston, a native of Buffalo, New York graduated in 1990 from the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and earned his commission through the NROTC program. He holds a Master’s of Business Administration degree from the College of William and Mary’s Mason School of Business.

His operational assignments include division officer aboard USS Phoenix (SSN 702), engineer officer onboard USS Hampton (SSN 767), and executive officer onboard USS Tennessee (SSBN 734)(B). As commanding officer of USS Hampton (SSN 767) he deployed to the Western Pacific. His major command tour was as commodore of Submarine Squadron 20 where he commanded all Atlantic ballistic missile submarines.

His shore assignments include Flag Lieutenant for Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; the Atlantic Fleet Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board; Special Assistant to the Director of Naval Reactors for Personnel and Policy; Deputy Commander for Submarine Squadron 20; the Principal Director for Nuclear Matters within the Office of the Secretary of Defense; the Submarine and Nuclear Community Manager, Military Personnel Plans and Policy (N133) and Division Director of Submarine and Nuclear Propulsion Distribution, Navy Personnel Command (PERS-42).

As Flag Officer, he served as Deputy Director for Strategic Targeting and Nuclear Mission Planning (J5N) United States Strategic Command, Director of Maritime Operations Naval Forces Europe-Africa, Deputy Commander U.S. 6th Fleet, and Commander Submarine Group 8, Director Undersea Warfare Division, Office of Chief of Naval Operations (N97), Commander Naval Submarine Forces, Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, and Commander Allied Submarine Command.

As a qualified submarine warfare officer, his personal decorations include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal (two awards), Legion of Merit (four awards), Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and the French Legion of Honour.

Last Updated: 7 January 2026