Rear Adm. David S. Cox, a native of Dallas, Texas, graduated in 1998 from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering.  He holds master’s degrees in Business Administration and Public Policy from the University of Chicago where he was an Irving B. Harris Fellow.

His operational assignments include division officer aboard USS West Virginia (SSBN 736) (Blue), engineer officer aboard USS Topeka (SSN 754), and executive officer aboard USS Charlotte (SSN 766). He commanded USS Louisville (SSN 724) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where he led the crew on Western Pacific and U.S. Southern Command deployments, and later commanded Submarine Squadron 7.

His staff and ashore assignments include instructor duty in the Department of Economics at the United States Naval Academy; the Pacific Fleet Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board; Force Nuclear Power Officer on the Submarine Force Atlantic staff; Deputy Commander of Submarine Squadron 15 in Guam; command of Cruise Missile Support Activity Pacific; and Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff for Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (three awards), Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards). Through his career, he has served with teams that earned the Navy Unit Commendation, four Meritorious Unit Commendations, and three Battle Efficiency awards.
 

Last Updated: 30 July 2026