§ 5017. Secretary of the Navy: successors to duties
If the Secretary of the Navy dies, resigns, is removed from office, is absent, or is disabled, the person who is highest on the following list, and who is not absent or disabled, shall perform the duties of the Secretary until the President, under section
3347 [1] of title
5, directs another person to perform those duties or until the absence or disability ceases:
(2)
The Assistant Secretaries of the Navy, in the order prescribed by the Secretary of the Navy and approved by the Secretary of Defense.
[1] See References in Text note below.