Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced today that the President has made the following nominations:
Vice Adm. William R. Merz, U.S. Navy, has been nominated for reappointment to the rank of vice admiral and assignment as deputy chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy, N3/N5, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. Merz is currently serving as commander, SEVENTH Fleet, Yokosuka, Japan.
Rear Adm. Francis D. Morley, U.S. Navy, has been nominated for appointment to the rank of vice admiral and assignment as principal military deputy assistant secretary of the Navy (Research, Development, and Acquisition), Washington, D.C. Morley is currently serving as director, Navy International Programs Office, Office of the Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D.C.
Rear Adm. Darse E. Crandall, Judge Advocate General Corps, U.S. Navy, for appointment to the rank of vice admiral and assignment as Judge Advocate General of the Navy, Washington, D.C. Crandall is currently serving as deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy/commander, Naval Legal Service Command, Washington, D.C.
Capt. Max G. McCoy, Jr., has been nominated for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower half). McCoy is currently serving as commander, Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center, Fallon, Nevada.