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John Currier

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John P. Currier
VADM Currier, 28th Vice Commandant of the United States Coast Guard
Born(1951-12-18)December 18, 1951
Portland, Maine, U.S.
DiedMarch 1, 2020(2020-03-01) (aged 68)
Traverse City, Michigan, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service / branchUnited States Coast Guard
Years of service1976–2014
RankVice Admiral
CommandsChief of Staff, USCG
Coast Guard District Thirteen
Coast Guard Air Station Miami
Coast Guard Air Station Detroit
Battles / warsCold War
September 11, 2001 attacks
AwardsHomeland Security Distinguished Service Medal
Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal
Coast Guard Commendation Medal with "O" device
Coast Guard Achievement Medal with "O" device

Vice Admiral John P. Currier (December 18, 1951 – March 1, 2020) was the 28th Vice Commandant of the United States Coast Guard.[1] He assumed the position from Vice Admiral Sally Brice-O'Hara on May 18, 2012 and was relieved on May 20, 2014 by Vice Admiral Peter Neffenger.[2]

Previously, VADM Currier commanded Coast Guard District 13. He was relieved as district commander by Rear Admiral Gary Blore on July 14, 2009. Admiral Currier was selected for promotion to vice admiral and subsequently served as Chief of Staff of the Coast Guard.[3]

Background

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Currier was born in Portland, Maine and graduated from Cheverus High School in Portland, Maine, in 1970. He lived in Westbrook, Maine with his family and then joined the Westbrook Police Department.[4] John Currier was commissioned in the U. S. Coast Guard after graduating from Officers' Candidate School in 1976 and, on completion of Naval Flight Training, was designated a Coast Guard Aviator in 1977. A graduate of the University of Southern Maine, he held a Masters in Business from Embry–Riddle University. He was a 1996 graduate of the U. S. Air Force Air War College in Montgomery, Alabama. Previous assignments have included duty at Coast Guard Air Stations Cape Cod, Massachusetts and Sitka, Alaska. He was designated an Aeronautical Engineer in 1982 and served as Engineering Officer at Coast Guard Air Stations Traverse City, Michigan and Astoria, Oregon. Other assignments have included Deputy Program Manager (Engineering) for the U. S. Coast Guard HH-60J and Navy HH-60H helicopter acquisition at the Naval Air Systems Command in Washington, DC. VADM Currier commanded Air Station Detroit, Michigan from 1996 through 1998.

He served as Chief of Search and Rescue Operations and Director of Auxiliary for the Ninth Coast Guard District (Great Lakes) from 1998 through 2001. He then commanded Air Station Miami, the world's busiest air-sea rescue unit, from August 2001 through June 2003. Subsequently, he served as Pacific Area Chief of Operations, and then as Area Chief of Staff. Promoted to Flag rank in 2005, his most recent assignment was Assistant Commandant for Acquisition at Coast Guard Headquarters. VADM Currier was a veteran aviator with over 6000 flight hours in Coast Guard and Navy fixed and rotary-wing aircraft. His professional recognition includes the Harmon International Aviation Trophy, the Alaska Air Command SAR Pilot of the Year Award, American Helicopter Society, Fredrick L. Feinberg Award and the Naval Helicopter Association SAR Aircrew of the Year, all awarded for hazardous rescue missions.

Currier died on March 1, 2020, aged 68 at his home in Traverse City, Michigan.[5][6] Currier was married to the former Mary Jane Greenleaf of South Portland, Maine and had two sons.

Awards and decorations

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Currier's awards include:[1]

Gold star
Gold star
Bronze star
Bronze star

During his late service he was the Ancient Albatross, which made him the longest serving Coast Guard Aviator on active duty. His professional recognition includes the Harmon International Aviation Trophy, the Alaska Air Command SAR Pilot of the Year Award, Fredrick L. Feinberg Award of the American Helicopter Society, and the Naval Helicopter Association SAR Aircrew of the Year. All of these were awarded for rescue operations.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Vice Admiral John P. Currier Vice Commandant United States Coast Guard" (PDF). United States Coast Guard. 20 May 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 October 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  2. ^ "Vice Adm. Peter Neffenger relieves Vice Adm. John Currier as vice commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard". Retrieved 2014-05-20.
  3. ^ "Photo ID 090714-G-9679C-005". U.S. Coast Guard Visual Information Gallery. United States Coast Guard. July 14, 2009. Archived from the original on December 12, 2012. Retrieved 2009-10-04.
  4. ^ John Currier-obituary
  5. ^ Johnson, Bridget (March 3, 2020). "Vice Admiral John Currier, 28th Coast Guard Vice Commandant, Dies at Age 68 – Homeland Security Today". www.hstoday.us. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  6. ^ "Remembering the life of John Currier 1951 - 2020". obituaries.record-eagle.com. Retrieved 2020-03-08.
Military offices
Preceded by Vice Commandant of the United States Coast Guard
2012–2014
Succeeded by