Charles Cooper II explained

Charles Cooper II
Birth Place:Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Allegiance:United States
Branch:United States Navy
Serviceyears:1989–present
Rank:Vice Admiral
Commands:United States Naval Forces Central Command
United States Fifth Fleet
Naval Surface Forces Atlantic
Expeditionary Strike Group 7
United States Naval Forces Korea

Battles:Gulf War
War in Afghanistan
Awards:Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal (2)
Legion of Merit (4)
Bronze Star Medal
Alma Mater:United States Naval Academy (BS)
National Intelligence University (MS)
United States Army Command and General Staff College
Harvard University
Tufts University
Spouse:Susan Cooper[1]

Charles Bradford "Brad" Cooper II (born 1967)[2] is a United States Navy vice admiral who has served as the deputy commander of United States Central Command since February 2024. He most recently served as commander of United States Naval Forces Central Command, Commander, United States Fifth Fleet and Commander, Combined Maritime Forces from 2021 to 2024.[3] [4] He previously served as Commander, Naval Surface Forces Atlantic and, before that, as the Chief of Legislative Affairs of the United States Navy.[5] [6]

Cooper attended Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, Alabama. He is a 1989 graduate of the United States Naval Academy.[7] Cooper later earned a master's degree in strategic intelligence from the National Intelligence University.[5] During his tenure as commander of Naval Forces Korea, Cooper was bestowed the Korean name Goo Tae-il by the ROK-US Alliance Friendship Association in honor of his service to the Korean peninsula.[8]

In April 2023, Cooper was nominated for reappointment as vice admiral and assignment as the deputy commander of United States Central Command.[9] [10]

Awards and decorations

Surface Warfare Officer Pin
Navy Distinguished Service MedalDefense Superior Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Legion of Merit with three gold award starsBronze Star MedalDefense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with four award starsJoint Service Commendation MedalNavy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with four award stars
Joint Service Achievement MedalNavy and Marine Corps Achievement MedalJoint Meritorious Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Navy Unit CommendationNavy Meritorious Unit Commendation with one silver service starMeritorious Team Commendation with Operational Distinguishing Device
Navy "E" Ribbon with wreathed Battle E deviceNational Defense Service Medal with service starArmed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal with two service starsAfghanistan Campaign Medal with service starGlobal War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service MedalKorea Defense Service MedalArmed Forces Service Medal
Humanitarian Service MedalMilitary Outstanding Volunteer Service MedalNavy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with silver service star
Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon with three service starsSpecial Operations Service RibbonUnidentified foreign award
Order of National Security Merit, Cheonsu Medal (Republic of Korea)NATO Medal for the former YugoslaviaKuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)Navy Expert Rifleman MedalNavy Expert Pistol Shot Medal
Command at Sea insignia
Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge
Presidential Service Badge

Notes and References

  1. Web site: White House Author – Brad Cooper. November 18, 2011 . 2021-06-05.
  2. Book: Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy on Active Duty . October 1, 1990 . 180 . Bureau of Naval Personnel . June 5, 2021.
  3. Web site: Vice Admiral Brad Cooper. 2021-05-06.
  4. Web site: NAVCENT, U.S. Fifth Fleet, CMF Change of Command. 2021-05-06. U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.
  5. Web site: Rear Admiral Charles Cooper II. www.navy.mil. 2021-05-03.
  6. Web site: Flag Officer Announcements. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.
  7. News: Lanier grad promoted to rear admiral . Rebecca . Burylo . 23 January 2017 . Montgomery Advertiser . 2021-05-03.
  8. Web site: Lee Chi-dong. U.S. naval commander to get Korean name. 2017-07-19. 2021-06-30. Yonhap News Agency.
  9. Web site: PN545 — Vice Adm. Charles B. Cooper II — Navy. 2023-04-20. 2023-04-20. U.S. Congress.
  10. Web site: Flag Officer Announcements. 2023-04-24. 2023-04-25. U.S. Department of Defense.