Thomas Modly
Thomas B. Modly (born December 15, 1960) is an American businessman and former government official who served as acting United States Secretary of the Navy from November 24, 2019, to April 7, 2020. He resigned as acting Secretary in the wake of his firing and berating Brett Crozier, the captain of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, for allegedly going outside his chain of command in calling for help to deal with a COVID-19 outbreak onboard. Later, Modly traveled to the ship at port in Guam, where he addressed the crew in a manner that was perceived as disrespectful. He was subsequently widely criticized, and submitted a letter of resignation.
Thomas Modly | |
|---|---|
| United States Secretary of the Navy | |
Acting | |
| In office November 24, 2019 – April 7, 2020 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Richard V. Spencer |
| Succeeded by | James McPherson (acting) |
| In office July 15, 2019 – July 31, 2019 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Richard V. Spencer |
| Succeeded by | Richard V. Spencer |
| 33rd United States Under Secretary of the Navy | |
| In office December 4, 2017 – November 24, 2019 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Thomas P. Dee (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Gregory J. Slavonic (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 15, 1960 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Education | United States Naval Academy (BS) Georgetown University (MA) Harvard University (MBA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1983–1990 |
Modly, who was confirmed as the United States Under Secretary of the Navy on December 4, 2017, also temporarily performed the duties of the Secretary of the Navy while Richard V. Spencer was acting Secretary of Defense and acting Deputy Secretary of Defense from July 15, 2019, to July 31, 2019.