‘On the Way to Work’ Coast Guard Hero Honored
The Secretary of Homeland Security's Award for Valor has been presented by Secretary of Homeland Security, Jeh Charles Johnson, to Chief Petty Officer Jesse Meerscheidt, a gunner’s mate at Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi. Meerscheidt received the award for pulling a 36-year-old woman from a burning car after she was involved in a head-on collision last October while he was on the way to work. “I am humbled and honored to be recognized by the Secretary of Homeland Security and am ever thankful to be able to help a person in need,” said Chief Petty Officer Meerscheidt. PICTURE CAPTION: Chief Petty Officer Jesse Meerscheidt stands alongside Vice Adm.
VADM Paul Zukunft Nominated to be 25th U.S. Coast Guard Commandant
Jeh Charles Johnson, Secretary of Homeland Security, announced on February 28th that Paul F. Zukunft has been nominated by President Obama to be the 25th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. His nomination requires Senate confirmation. Johnson said last Friday, "I am proud to announce President Obama's intent to nominate Vice Admiral Paul F. Zukunft as the 25th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. Since I became Secretary, I have had the opportunity to get to know Vice Admiral Zukunft, and if confirmed he will be a great leader for the future of the Coast Guard. As a 37 year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, he has demonstrated this leadership while serving in a number of different capacities, including coordinating federal response to the Deepwater Horizon Spill.
