Paul F. Zukunft
Encyclopedia
Paul F. Zukunft is a rear admiral
in the United States Coast Guard
and, since May 2010, has been the U.S. Coast Guard's Response Policy Director. He was a Coast Guard spokesman in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill
and the on-scene coordinator responsible for all oil search, monitoring and clean up operations related to spill.
He was born in North Branford, Connecticut
, graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy
in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Government; from Webster University
in 1988 with a Master of Arts degree in Management; and from the United States Naval War College in 1997 with a Master of Arts degree in Strategic Studies and International Affairs.
He commanded the USCGC Cape Upright
, USCGC Harriet Lane
and USCGC Rush
. He was an Operations Officer, Vessel Traffic Service New Orleans; Chief of Port Operations, Marine Safety Office Corpus Christi where he supervised a $100M Superfund clean-up; and Commanding Officer of the Training Quota Management Center.
Staff assignments include Chief of Staff, Fourteenth Coast Guard District, Chief of Operations, Coast Guard Pacific Area, Chief of Operations, and Chief of Operations Oversight, Coast Guard Atlantic Area.
Flag assignments include Commander, Eleventh Coast Guard District after serving as Director, Joint Interagency Task Force West. and Asst. Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship.
His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit
, five Meritorious Service Medals
with operational device, two Coast Guard Commendation Medals, and two Coast Guard Achievement medals with operational device. He also wears the permanent Coast Guard Cutterman Insignia.
Rear admiral (United States)
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. The uniformed services of the United States are unique in having two grades of rear admirals.- Rear admiral :...
in the United States 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...
and, since May 2010, has been the U.S. Coast Guard's Response Policy Director. He was a Coast Guard spokesman in the 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...
and the on-scene coordinator responsible for all oil search, monitoring and clean up operations related to spill.
He was born in North Branford, Connecticut
North Branford, Connecticut
North Branford is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 13,906 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 26.6 square miles , of which 24.9 square miles is land and 1.7 square miles is water...
, graduated from 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...
in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Government; from Webster University
Webster University
Webster University is an American non-profit private university with its main campus in Webster Groves, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. Webster University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools...
in 1988 with a Master of Arts degree in Management; and from the United States Naval War College in 1997 with a Master of Arts degree in Strategic Studies and International Affairs.
He commanded the USCGC Cape Upright
USCGC Cape Upright (WPB-95303)
USCGC Cape Upright was United States Coast Guard steel-hulled patrol boat of the 95-Foot or Cape class.-Service:Cape Upright was stationed at Norfolk, Virginia, from 1953 to 1960 and was used for law enforcement and Search and Rescue operations.From 1961 to 1969, Cape Upright was stationed at...
, USCGC Harriet Lane
USCGC Harriet Lane (WMEC-903)
USCGC Harriet Lane is a United States Coast Guard medium endurance cutter. Named for Harriet Lane, niece and official hostess of President James Buchanan...
and USCGC Rush
USCGC Rush (WHEC-723)
USCGC Rush is a U. S. Coast Guard high endurance cutter based out of Honolulu, Hawaii. Constructed at Avondale Shipyards near New Orleans, Louisiana and launched November 16, 1968, she is the fifth Coast Guard Cutter to be named after the eighth Secretary of the Treasury Richard Rush.-External...
. He was an Operations Officer, Vessel Traffic Service New Orleans; Chief of Port Operations, Marine Safety Office Corpus Christi where he supervised a $100M Superfund clean-up; and Commanding Officer of the Training Quota Management Center.
Staff assignments include Chief of Staff, Fourteenth Coast Guard District, Chief of Operations, Coast Guard Pacific Area, Chief of Operations, and Chief of Operations Oversight, Coast Guard Atlantic Area.
Flag assignments include Commander, Eleventh Coast Guard District after serving as Director, Joint Interagency Task Force West. and Asst. Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship.
His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
, five Meritorious Service Medals
Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
with operational device, two Coast Guard Commendation Medals, and two Coast Guard Achievement medals with operational device. He also wears the permanent Coast Guard Cutterman Insignia.