Carlisle Albert Herman Trost

Admiral, U.S. Navy
Chief of Naval Operations

Carlisle Albert Herman Trost was born on 24 April 1930 in Valmeyer, IL.

He graduated first in his U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1953 and was commissioned as an Ensign. He volunteered and was accepted to begin submarine training in 1954 and once again graduated first in his class from Submarine School in New London, CT. During his more than thirty-seven years of commissioned service, Admiral Trost served at sea in destroyers and diesel-powered and nuclear submarines, including tours as Executive Officer of two nuclear-powered submarines and as Commanding Officer of a Fleet Ballistic Missile submarine.

He served as Military Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense, Executive Assistant to the Secretary of the Navy, and on the Navy Staff as Director, Systems Analysis Division, Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel and Director, Navy Program Planning.

After selection to flag rank in 1973, he commanded Submarine Flotilla One/Submarine Group FIVE. Later operational assignments included Deputy Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet; and Commander, Seventh Fleet (1980-81).

On 4 October 1985, Trost was promoted to Admiral and assigned as Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (CINCLANTFLT) and Deputy Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Command (DCINCLANT). In May 1986, Trost was nominated by President Ronald Reagan to succeed Admiral James D. Watkins as Chief of Naval Operations. Trost served as CNO from 1 July 1986 to 29 June 1990. He was succeeded by Admiral Frank B. Kelso.

He retired from active naval service on 1 July 1990.

Medals and Awards

Defense Distinguished Service Medal (2 Awards)
Navy Distinguished Service Medal (3 Awards)
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit (3 Awards)
Navy Achievement Medal
Order of the Rising Sun (2nd Class with Gold and Silver Star) - Japan
Order of National Security Merit Gugseon Medal - Korea

Honors

Trost is an Olmsted Scholar.

He is active in the Boy Scouts of America as an adult. He was an Eagle Scout and recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award.

Organizational Affiliations

He was recognized as a Distinguished Graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and has also served on the Board of Directors of the Alumni Association, as well as President of the Class of '53. A fellow classmate and another past President of the Class of '53 is Texas businessman and former presidential candidate, H. Ross Perot.

In Retirement

Since retiring from the Navy, Admiral Trost has served on the boards of directors of a number of U.S. corporations.

He served as Chairman of the Board of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association in a term that ended in spring 2009.

Personal

He has four children and six grandchildren.