James Wells Kilby (born 1963) is a United States Navy admiral who served as the acting chief of naval operations in 2025, and as the vice chief of naval operations since 2024. He previously served as the deputy commander of the United States Fleet Forces Command from 2021 to 2024. Navy Flag Officer Panel: Superior Human Performance from Rapid Training Solutions: Delivering Warfighter Proficiency While Deployed
Early life and education Raised in Pound Ridge, New York, Kilby is a 1986 graduate of the United States Naval Academy.
Naval career Kilby's sea tours include , and two tours aboard . He commanded where he received the Vice Adm. James B. Stockdale Award for inspirational leadership. His major command was aboard 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.
In July 2021, he was nominated to succeed David Kriete as deputy commander of the United States Fleet Forces Command. In July 2023, he was nominated for promotion to admiral and assignment as Vice Chief of Naval Operations. Kilby assumed the duties of vice chief of naval operations on January 5, 2024.
Acting chief of naval operations He became the acting chief of naval operations on February 21, 2025, when President Donald Trump removed Admiral Lisa Franchetti from that post. Kilby has said that he will work towards achieving the goal of his predecessor to get 80% of the Navy's ships to be ready for a combat deployment at any moment.
In April 2025 he attended the Sea-Air-Space exposition hosted by the Navy League of the United States, where he met with the chief of staff of the Spanish Navy, in his capacity as the acting chief of naval operations. At the exposition he also said that the Navy will work on developing a more cost-efficient way of countering drones, after its experience during the Red Sea crisis. In May 2025, Kilby's tenure as acting chief of naval operations became the longest time that the Navy went without a leader confirmed by the Senate. He remained as the acting chief until August 25, 2025, when Daryl Caudle was sworn in following his confirmation.
Awards and decorations
Surface Warfare Officer PinNavy Distinguished Service MedalDefense Superior Service MedalLegion of Merit with three gold award starsDefense Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal with two gold award starsNavy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with four award starsNavy and Marine Corps Achievement MedalJoint Meritorious Unit AwardNavy Unit CommendationNavy Meritorious Unit Commendation with two bronze service starCoast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation with Operational Distinguishing DeviceBattle Effectiveness Award 4th awardsNational Defense Service Medal with service starArmed Forces Expeditionary MedalSouthwest Asia Service Medal with three bronze service starsGlobal War on Terrorism Service MedalArmed Forces Service MedalSea Service Deployment Ribbon with six service starsSpecial Operations Service RibbonKuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)Command at Sea insigniaOffice of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge
References
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