Richard V. Spencer
Richard V. Spencer | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2019 | |
| 76th United States Secretary of the Navy | |
| In office August 3, 2017 – November 24, 2019 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Deputy | Thomas Modly |
| Preceded by | Ray Mabus |
| Succeeded by | Kenneth Braithwaite |
| Acting United States Deputy Secretary of Defense | |
| In office July 24 – July 31, 2019 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | David Norquist (acting) |
| Succeeded by | David Norquist |
| Acting United States Secretary of Defense | |
| In office July 15 – July 23, 2019 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Deputy | David Norquist (acting) |
| Preceded by | Mark Esper (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Mark Esper |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Richard Vaughn Spencer January 18, 1954 Waterbury, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | Rollins College (BA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1976–1981 |
| Rank | Captain |
| *Thomas Modly served in an acting capacity from July 15 to July 31, 2019, while Spencer served as Acting Secretary and then Acting Deputy Secretary of Defense. | |
Richard Vaughn Spencer (born January 18, 1954) is an American politician and businessman who served as the 76th United States Secretary of the Navy from August 3, 2017, to November 24, 2019. While serving as Secretary of the Navy, he also briefly served as Acting United States Secretary of Defense (July 15 to July 23, 2019) and Acting United States Deputy Secretary of Defense (July 24 to July 31, 2019). Spencer served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1976 to 1981 as a Marine Aviator. He was Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of Intercontinental Exchange (IEX) from November 2001 to January 2008.
On November 24, 2019, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper requested Spencer's resignation due to his handling of the Eddie Gallagher case, specifically that Spencer did not observe the chain of command.
As of July 2024, Spencer replaced John Rothwell, the founder and chairman of Austal Ltd, as chairman.