List of United States Coast Guard four-star admirals
Encyclopedia
This is a complete list of four-star admirals in the United States Coast Guard
. The rank of admiral (or full admiral, or four-star admiral) is the highest rank in the U.S. Coast Guard. It ranks above vice admiral
(three-star admiral).
There have been 16 four-star admirals in the history of the U.S. Coast Guard
. Of these, 15 achieved that rank while on active duty and one
was promoted upon retirement in recognition of combat citations. All were commissioned via the United States Coast Guard Academy
or its predecessor, the School of Instruction of the United States Revenue Cutter Service
.
Any admiral who actually served in a grade while on active duty receives precedence on the retired list over any tombstone admiral holding the same retired grade. Tombstone admirals rank among each other according to the dates of their highest active duty grade.
The following list of tombstone admirals is sortable by last name, date of rank as vice admiral, date retired, and year commissioned.
was Russell R. Waesche
, who served as commandant from 1936 to 1945 and was promoted to that rank on April 4, 1945. His successor as commandant, John Farley
, also inherited the rank of admiral. After Farley retired on December 31, 1949, the commandant's rank was reduced to vice admiral, although Farley's successor, Merlin O'Neill
, was promoted to full admiral upon retirement in recognition of combat citations. O'Neill's successor, Alfred C. Richmond
, remained a vice admiral until the commandant's rank was again elevated to admiral on June 1, 1960, where it has remained ever since.
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
. The rank of admiral (or full admiral, or four-star admiral) is the highest rank in the U.S. Coast Guard. It ranks above vice admiral
Vice admiral (United States)
In the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps, and the United States Maritime Service, vice admiral is a three-star flag officer, with the pay grade of...
(three-star admiral).
There have been 16 four-star admirals in the history of the U.S. Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
. Of these, 15 achieved that rank while on active duty and one
Merlin O'Neill
Merlin O'Neill served as the tenth Commandant of the United States Coast Guard from 1949 to 1954.He was born in Gallia County, Ohio on October 30, 1898. Following graduation from high school in Morgan City, Louisiana, he attended Western Kentucky State Normal School, and the Marion Military...
was promoted upon retirement in recognition of combat citations. All were commissioned via the United States Coast Guard Academy
United States Coast Guard Academy
Founded in 1876, the United States Coast Guard Academy is the military academy of the United States Coast Guard. Located in New London, Connecticut, it is the smallest of the five federal service academies...
or its predecessor, the School of Instruction of the United States Revenue Cutter Service
United States Revenue Cutter Service
The United States Revenue Cutter Service was established by Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton in 1790 as an armed maritime law enforcement service. Throughout its entire existence the Revenue Cutter Service operated under the authority of the United States Department of the Treasury...
.
List of admirals
The following list of four-star admirals is sortable by last name, date of rank, number of years on active duty at four-star rank (Yrs), year commissioned and source of commission, and number of years in commission when promoted to four-star rank (YC).| # | Name | Date of rank | Position | Yrs | Commission | YC | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Russell R. Waesche Russell R. Waesche Russell Randolph Waesche, Sr. . Waesche served as the eighth Commandant of the United States Coast Guard from 1936 to 1946, overseeing the service during World War II. He also holds the distinction of being the longest serving Commandant, serving ten years in command of the United States Coast Guard... |
04 Apr 1945 | Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, 1936–1945. | 1 | 1906 (USRCSSI United States Coast Guard Academy Founded in 1876, the United States Coast Guard Academy is the military academy of the United States Coast Guard. Located in New London, Connecticut, it is the smallest of the five federal service academies... ) |
39 | (1886–1946) |
| 2 | Joseph F. Farley Joseph F. Farley Joseph Francis Farley served as the ninth Commandant of the United States Coast Guard from 1946 to 1949. He was also the first Coast Guard officer to be issued a service number and holds #1000 on the Coast Guard officer rolls.... |
01 Jan 1946 | Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, 1946–1949. | 4 | 1912 (USRCSSI United States Coast Guard Academy Founded in 1876, the United States Coast Guard Academy is the military academy of the United States Coast Guard. Located in New London, Connecticut, it is the smallest of the five federal service academies... ) |
34 | (1889–1974) |
| 3 | Alfred C. Richmond Alfred C. Richmond Alfred Carroll Richmond was a retired United States Coast Guard admiral who served as the 11th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard from 1954 to 1962, the second longest tenure of any U.S. Coast Guard Commandant.... |
01 Jun 1960 | Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, 1954–1962. | 2 | 1924 (USCGA United States Coast Guard Academy Founded in 1876, the United States Coast Guard Academy is the military academy of the United States Coast Guard. Located in New London, Connecticut, it is the smallest of the five federal service academies... ) |
36 | (1902–1984) |
| 4 | Edwin J. Roland Edwin J. Roland Edwin John Roland , served as the twelfth Commandant of the United States Coast Guard from 1962 to 1966.He was born in Buffalo, New York. Growing up in Buffalo, he attended Canisius High School and later Canisius College in the city. He graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy in New... |
01 Jun 1962 | Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, 1962–1966. | 4 | 1929 (USCGA United States Coast Guard Academy Founded in 1876, the United States Coast Guard Academy is the military academy of the United States Coast Guard. Located in New London, Connecticut, it is the smallest of the five federal service academies... ) |
33 | (1905–1985) |
| 5 | Willard J. Smith Willard J. Smith Willard John Smith served as the thirteenth Commandant of the United States Coast Guard from 1966 to 1970.... |
01 Jun 1966 | Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, 1966–1970. | 4 | 1933 (USCGA United States Coast Guard Academy Founded in 1876, the United States Coast Guard Academy is the military academy of the United States Coast Guard. Located in New London, Connecticut, it is the smallest of the five federal service academies... ) |
33 | (1910–2000) Superintendent, U.S. Coast Guard Academy United States Coast Guard Academy Founded in 1876, the United States Coast Guard Academy is the military academy of the United States Coast Guard. Located in New London, Connecticut, it is the smallest of the five federal service academies... , 1962–1965; U.S. Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Safety and Consumer Affairs United States Department of Transportation The United States Department of Transportation is a federal Cabinet department of the United States government concerned with transportation. It was established by an act of Congress on October 15, 1966, and began operation on April 1, 1967... , 1970–1971. |
| 6 | Chester R. Bender Chester R. Bender Chester R. Bender served as the fourteenth Commandant of the United States Coast Guard from 1970 to 1974. He also served as Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy from 1965 to 1967.-Early life and education:... |
01 Jun 1970 | Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, 1970–1974. | 4 | 1936 (USCGA United States Coast Guard Academy Founded in 1876, the United States Coast Guard Academy is the military academy of the United States Coast Guard. Located in New London, Connecticut, it is the smallest of the five federal service academies... ) |
34 | (1914–1996) Superintendent, U.S. Coast Guard Academy United States Coast Guard Academy Founded in 1876, the United States Coast Guard Academy is the military academy of the United States Coast Guard. Located in New London, Connecticut, it is the smallest of the five federal service academies... , 1965–1967. |
| 7 | Owen W. Siler Owen W. Siler Admiral Owen Wesley Siler served as the fifteenth Commandant of the United States Coast Guard from 1974 to 1978.Owen Siler was born in Seattle, Washington and raised in Santa Maria, California... |
01 Jun 1974 | Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, 1974–1978. | 4 | 1943 (USCGA United States Coast Guard Academy Founded in 1876, the United States Coast Guard Academy is the military academy of the United States Coast Guard. Located in New London, Connecticut, it is the smallest of the five federal service academies... ) |
31 | (1922–2007) |
| 8 | John B. Hayes John B. Hayes John Briggs Hayes was a retired United States Coast Guard admiral who served as the 16th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard from 1978 to 1982.... |
01 Jun 1978 | Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, 1978–1982. | 4 | 1946 (USCGA United States Coast Guard Academy Founded in 1876, the United States Coast Guard Academy is the military academy of the United States Coast Guard. Located in New London, Connecticut, it is the smallest of the five federal service academies... ) |
32 | (1924–2001) |
| 9 | James S. Gracey James S. Gracey James Steele Gracey is a retired United States Coast Guard admiral who served as the 17th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard from 1982 to 1986.... |
28 May 1982 | Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, 1982–1986. | 4 | 1949 (USCGA United States Coast Guard Academy Founded in 1876, the United States Coast Guard Academy is the military academy of the United States Coast Guard. Located in New London, Connecticut, it is the smallest of the five federal service academies... ) |
33 | (1927– ) |
| 10 | Paul A. Yost Jr. | 30 May 1986 | Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, 1986–1990. | 4 | 1951 (USCGA United States Coast Guard Academy Founded in 1876, the United States Coast Guard Academy is the military academy of the United States Coast Guard. Located in New London, Connecticut, it is the smallest of the five federal service academies... ) |
35 | (1929– ) |
| 11 | J. William Kime J. William Kime John William Kime was a United States Coast Guard admiral who served as the 19th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard from May 31, 1990 to June 1, 1994.-Early life and career:... |
31 May 1990 | Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, 1990–1994. | 4 | 1957 (USCGA United States Coast Guard Academy Founded in 1876, the United States Coast Guard Academy is the military academy of the United States Coast Guard. Located in New London, Connecticut, it is the smallest of the five federal service academies... ) |
33 | (1934–2006) |
| 12 | Robert E. Kramek Robert E. Kramek Robert Edward Kramek is a retired United States Coast Guard admiral who served as the 20th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard from 1994 to 1998... |
01 Jun 1994 | Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, 1994–1998. | 4 | 1961 (USCGA United States Coast Guard Academy Founded in 1876, the United States Coast Guard Academy is the military academy of the United States Coast Guard. Located in New London, Connecticut, it is the smallest of the five federal service academies... ) |
33 | (1939– ) |
| 13 | James M. Loy | May 1998 | Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, 1998–2002. | 4 | 1964 (USCGA United States Coast Guard Academy Founded in 1876, the United States Coast Guard Academy is the military academy of the United States Coast Guard. Located in New London, Connecticut, it is the smallest of the five federal service academies... ) |
34 | (1942– ) Administrator, Transportation Security Administration Transportation Security Administration The Transportation Security Administration is an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that exercises authority over the safety and security of the traveling public in the United States.... , 2002–2003; U.S. Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security United States Department of Homeland Security The United States Department of Homeland Security is a cabinet department of the United States federal government, created in response to the September 11 attacks, and with the primary responsibilities of protecting the territory of the United States and protectorates from and responding to... , 2003–2005. |
| 14 | Thomas H. Collins Thomas H. Collins Thomas Hansen Collins is a retired United States Coast Guard 4 star admiral who served as the 22nd Commandant of the United States Coast Guard from 2002 to 2006.-Background:... |
30 May 2002 | Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, 2002–2006. | 4 | 1968 (USCGA United States Coast Guard Academy Founded in 1876, the United States Coast Guard Academy is the military academy of the United States Coast Guard. Located in New London, Connecticut, it is the smallest of the five federal service academies... ) |
34 | (1946– ) |
| 15 | Thad W. Allen Thad W. Allen Thad William Allen is a retired United States Coast Guard admiral who served as the 23rd Commandant of the Coast Guard. Allen is best known for his widely-praised performance directing the federal response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the Gulf Coast region from September 2005 to January 2006.... |
25 May 2006 | Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, 2006–2010; National Incident Commander, Deepwater Horizon oil spill Deepwater Horizon oil spill The Deepwater Horizon oil spill is an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico which flowed unabated for three months in 2010, and continues to leak fresh oil. It is the largest accidental marine oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry... , 2010. |
4 | 1971 (USCGA United States Coast Guard Academy Founded in 1876, the United States Coast Guard Academy is the military academy of the United States Coast Guard. Located in New London, Connecticut, it is the smallest of the five federal service academies... ) |
35 | (1949– ) Remained on active duty for 36 days after stepping down as commandant while serving as National Incident Commander, Deepwater Horizon oil spill Deepwater Horizon oil spill The Deepwater Horizon oil spill is an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico which flowed unabated for three months in 2010, and continues to leak fresh oil. It is the largest accidental marine oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry... . |
| 16 | Robert J. Papp | 25 May 2010 | Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, 2010–present. | 1 | 1975 (USCGA United States Coast Guard Academy Founded in 1876, the United States Coast Guard Academy is the military academy of the United States Coast Guard. Located in New London, Connecticut, it is the smallest of the five federal service academies... ) |
35 | (1953– ) |
Tombstone admirals
The Act of Congress of March 4, 1925, allowed officers in the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard to be promoted one grade upon retirement if they had been specially commended for performance of duty in actual combat. Combat citation promotions were colloquially known as "tombstone promotions" because they conferred the prestige of the higher rank but not the additional retirement pay, so their only practical benefit was to allow recipients to engrave a loftier title on their business cards and tombstones. The Act of Congress of February 23, 1942, enabled tombstone promotions to three- and four-star grades. Tombstone promotions were subsequently restricted to citations issued before January 1, 1947, and finally eliminated altogether effective November 1, 1959.Any admiral who actually served in a grade while on active duty receives precedence on the retired list over any tombstone admiral holding the same retired grade. Tombstone admirals rank among each other according to the dates of their highest active duty grade.
The following list of tombstone admirals is sortable by last name, date of rank as vice admiral, date retired, and year commissioned.
| Name | Date of rank (VADM) | Date retired (ADM) | Commission | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Merlin O'Neill Merlin O'Neill Merlin O'Neill served as the tenth Commandant of the United States Coast Guard from 1949 to 1954.He was born in Gallia County, Ohio on October 30, 1898. Following graduation from high school in Morgan City, Louisiana, he attended Western Kentucky State Normal School, and the Marion Military... |
01 Jan 1950 | 01 Jun 1954 | 1921 (USCGA United States Coast Guard Academy Founded in 1876, the United States Coast Guard Academy is the military academy of the United States Coast Guard. Located in New London, Connecticut, it is the smallest of the five federal service academies... ) |
(1898–1981) Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, 1949–1954. |
Timeline
The first full admiral in the United States Coast GuardUnited States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
was Russell R. Waesche
Russell R. Waesche
Russell Randolph Waesche, Sr. . Waesche served as the eighth Commandant of the United States Coast Guard from 1936 to 1946, overseeing the service during World War II. He also holds the distinction of being the longest serving Commandant, serving ten years in command of the United States Coast Guard...
, who served as commandant from 1936 to 1945 and was promoted to that rank on April 4, 1945. His successor as commandant, John Farley
John Farley
John Farley is the name of:* John Murphy Farley Irish-American cardinal, the seventh bishop of the Roman Catholic diocese of New York* John H. Farley , Mayor of Cleveland, Ohio...
, also inherited the rank of admiral. After Farley retired on December 31, 1949, the commandant's rank was reduced to vice admiral, although Farley's successor, Merlin O'Neill
Merlin O'Neill
Merlin O'Neill served as the tenth Commandant of the United States Coast Guard from 1949 to 1954.He was born in Gallia County, Ohio on October 30, 1898. Following graduation from high school in Morgan City, Louisiana, he attended Western Kentucky State Normal School, and the Marion Military...
, was promoted to full admiral upon retirement in recognition of combat citations. O'Neill's successor, Alfred C. Richmond
Alfred C. Richmond
Alfred Carroll Richmond was a retired United States Coast Guard admiral who served as the 11th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard from 1954 to 1962, the second longest tenure of any U.S. Coast Guard Commandant....
, remained a vice admiral until the commandant's rank was again elevated to admiral on June 1, 1960, where it has remained ever since.
See also
- General (United States)General (United States)In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, general is a four-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-10. General ranks above lieutenant general and below General of the Army or General of the Air Force; the Marine Corps does not have an...
- List of active duty United States four-star officers
- List of United States Army four-star generals
- List of United States Navy four-star admirals
- List of United States Air Force four-star generals
- List of United States Marine Corps four-star generals
- List of United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps four-star admirals
- List of United States military leaders by rank