Defense secretary passes over woman considered front-runner for Navy's top job

In a surprise move, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has recommended that Adm. Samuel Paparo become the Navy’s highest-ranking officer instead of a woman widely believed to have been the front-runner, said several senior defense officials.

Paparo’s nomination as chief of Naval Operations went to the White House about a week ago but President Joe Biden has not yet signed it, the officials said.

Adm. Lisa Franchetti had been considered the leading contender for the chief’s job since becoming the vice chief of Naval Operations, the No. 2 officer in the...