Robert DeSoto (Vanguard)

Robert DeSoto is a Human male Starfleet officer in the 24th century. He known for his work as Commanding Officer of the USS Hood and the  prototype USS Sovereign. As of 2385, DeSoto has assumed the position of Commanding Officer of the Fleet Carrier USS Shogun and concurrent Flag Officer-in-Command of Task Force Shogun, which is the unit of the Vanguard Fleet assigned to operate in the Gamma Quadrant.

Childhood
Robert DeSoto was born to Starfleet Captain Mirabelle Brodeur and civilian physician Dr. Hiram DeSoto in 2304 on Earth.

Starfleet Academy Life
He attended Starfleet Academy in 2322, where he became a member of the Academy Go team, and team captain in his junior and senior years. His team won two out of four Federation championships during his time in the Academy.

Early Starfleet Career
In the late 2320s, DeSoto, then a Lieutenant, served with Jean-Luc Picard, and the two became friends.

In 2355, he send his condolences to Picard on the destruction of the USS Stargazer.

The USS Hood
By 2361, he was already a Captain, and was Commanding Officer of the USS Hood.

As of 2371, DeSoto was married, and he and his wife made their home on the Rigel colonies.

By 2375, he was considered one of the most celebrated captains in Starfleet.

In early 2378, DeSoto was one of several Starfleet officers present at the first official debriefing of Captain Kathryn Janeway after her ship, the USS Voyager (NCC-74656) returned from the Delta Quadrant. DeSoto was also on the short list of high-ranking officers that may have been involved in the sale of intelligence and technology to the Orion Syndicate.

The USS Sovereign
In 2378, Robert DeSoto was reassigned to command the prototype USS Sovereign, a post he soon relinquished. In 2380 he was back as the Commanding Officer of the USS Hood.

Vanguard Command
In 2385, Fleet Admiral Maximus Hunter picked DeSoto as one of the select Starfleet commanders whom he wanted to work with in the newly created Vanguard Command. He promoted DeSoto to the rank of Rear Admiral (lower grade) and assigned him as Commanding Officer of the Fleet Carrier USS Shogun and concurrent Flag Officer-in-Command of the 54-starship strong Task Force Shogun, which was to operate in the Gamma Quadrant.