Karl O. Thomas

Karl Owen Thomas[1] (born November 1, 1963)[2][3] is a United States Navy vice admiral who serves as the 53rd commander of the United States Seventh Fleet since July 8, 2021.[4] He previously served as Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans, and Strategy and prior to that as the Commander of Carrier Strike Group 5.[5][6][7] In April 2021, he was nominated for promotion to vice admiral and assignment to relieve Vice Admiral William R. Merz as Commander of the United States Seventh Fleet.[8] Born in Fairfax, Virginia[2] and raised in Northern Virginia, Thomas earned a bachelor's degree in management systems from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1986. He later received an M.S. degree in information technology from the Naval Postgraduate School.[5]

Karl O. Thomas
Born (1963-11-01) November 1, 1963
Fairfax, Virginia
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1986–present (35–36 years)
Rank Vice Admiral
Commands heldUnited States Seventh Fleet
Carrier Strike Group 5
USS Carl Vinson
USS Abraham Lincoln

Awards and decorations
Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Vice Adm. Karl Thomas relieves Vice Adm. Bill Merz of command during the 7th Fleet change of command ceremony at the Fleet Activities Yokosuka Theater.
Naval Flight Officer Badge
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit with four award stars Meritorious Service Medal with two award stars
Air Medal Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with four award stars Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two award stars
Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation with bronze oak leaf cluster Navy Unit Commendation with bronze service star Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with two bronze service stars
Navy E Ribbon, 4th award National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with two bronze service stars
Southwest Asia Service Medal with bronze service star Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one silver and three bronze service stars Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze service star
Special Operations Service Ribbon with bronze service star Navy Expert Rifleman Medal Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal
Surface Warfare Officer Pin
Command at Sea insignia
Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge

References
  1. "Active-Duty Navy Promotions to the Permanent or Temporary Grades of Captain, Commander, Lieutenant Commander, and Lieutenant, Line and Staff Corps, and Chief Warrant Officer". Washington, D.C.: Chief of Naval Operations. February 2008. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  2. "Certificate of Birth". Births, 1864-2016. No. 81635. Richmond, Virginia: Virginia Department of Health. 1963.
  3. Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy on Active Duty. Bureau of Naval Personnel. October 1, 1990. p. 122. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  4. "COMMANDER, U.S. 7th FLEET TO HOLD CHANGE OF COMMAND". U.S. Navy. July 6, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  5. "Rear Admiral Karl Thomas". U.S. Navy. August 7, 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  6. "New commanding officer takes helm of Abraham Lincoln".
  7. "USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: March 11, 2019". March 11, 2019.
  8. "Flag Officer Announcements".

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