Navy Flag Officer Biography

Vice Admiral Kendall L. Card

Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Dominance/Director of Naval Intelligence

Vice Admiral Kendall L. Card


Vice Adm. Card is a native of Fort Stockton, Texas. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Vanderbilt University in December 1977 and holds a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from U.S. Naval War College.  He is also a graduate of U.S. Naval Test Pilot School.

From 1979 to 2006, Card served in various operational tours at sea, flying from the decks of USS Forrestal (CV 59), USS America (CV 66), USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), USS Saratoga (CV 60), and USS Enterprise (CVN 65). He commanded Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 15, USS Ranier (AOE 7) and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Under his command Abraham Lincoln participated in Operations Enduring Freedom, Southern Watch, and Iraqi Freedom as part of a record setting nine-and-a-half month deployment, as well as Operation Unified Assistance in support of the Tsunami relief efforts in Sumatra, Indonesia.

Card was selected as a flag officer in 2006.  He has served as director, Command Control Systems, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command; commander, Task Forces 51/58/59/151/158; commander, Expeditionary Strike Group Three; and director of Concepts, Strategies, and Integration for Information Dominance.  He was appointed to the rank of Vice Adm. in June 2011 as he assumed office as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Dominance, and the 64th Director of Naval Intelligence.

Card has accumulated over 3,900 flight hours in the SH-3H Sea King, SH-60F Seahawk, and the S-3A Viking aircraft. His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (three awards), Bronze Star and various personal, service and campaign awards.


Updated: 3 June 2011