Future Admiral Carlisle A. H. Trost entered the U.S. Naval Academy in 1949. He was commissioned an ensign in 1953, graduating first in his class. He reported to the destroyer USS Robert A. Owens (DDE-827) and in 1954 was detached to attend the Submarine School, New London, Connecticut. In 1955 he reported to the diesel submarine USS Sirago (SS-485), where he qualified as a submariner in 1956. In 1957 he attended the Advanced Nuclear Power course at the Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut, followed by training at the Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit, Idaho Falls, Idaho.
He reported in 1970 as executive assistant and naval aide to the Under Secretary of the Navy, and later Secretary of the Navy, John W. Warner. In 1973, his selection to flag rank was approved by the President. In 1980, Admiral Trost assumed command of the U.S. Seventh Fleet and served in that position until 1981. For his service he was awarded the Government of Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun (Second Class) and the Republic of Korea’s Order of National Merit. His next assignment was as Director, Navy Program Planning, OP-090, on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations. In 1985 he was promoted to the rank of four-star admiral and became Commander in Chief U.S. Atlantic Fleet and Deputy Commander in Chief U.S. Atlantic Command. From 1986 to 1990, Admiral Trost served as Chief of Naval Operations.
(U.S. Naval Institute Photo Archive)
In this excerpt from his U.S. Naval Institute oral history, Admiral Trost discusses his relationship with Admiral Paul A. Yost Jr. while Trost served as Chief of Naval Operations and Yost as Commandant of the Coast Guard.
Read more about the Naval Institute Oral History Program here.
