Adm. James W. Kilby is a native of Pound Ridge, New York, and a 1986 graduate of the United States Naval Academy.

Kilby’s sea tours include USS Sampson (DDG 10), USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) and two tours aboard USS San Jacinto (CG 56).  He commanded USS Russell (DDG 59) where he received the Vice Adm. James B. Stockdale Award for inspirational leadership. His major command was aboard USS Monterey (CG 61) and included its maiden Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) deployment in 2011.

His shore tours include the Naval Postgraduate School; two tours in the Chief of Naval Operations’ Surface Warfare Directorate, N96; Navy Personnel Command’s Surface Warfare Division, PERS-41; and the Aegis BMD Program Office in the Missile Defense Agency.

Kilby’s flag assignments include Commander, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center; Commander, Carrier Strike Group 1; director of Warfare Integration, N9I; Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Requirements and Capabilities, N9; Deputy Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command; and Commander, Task Force EIGHT ZERO.

Kilby assumed the duties of Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Jan. 5, 2024.