Joseph M. Vojvodich
Rear Admiral Joseph M. Vojvoddich | |
|---|---|
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| Born | 1963 (age 62–63) South Korea |
Branch |  United States Coast Guard |
Rank | Rear Admiral (O-8) |
| Commands | USCGC Gentian USCGC Sapelo Captain of the Port of Long Island Sound Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound |
| Awards | Legion of Merit |
| Education | U.S. Coast Guard Academy B.S. Purdue University M.S. Naval War College Industrial College of the Armed Forces M.S. |
| Spouse | Donna |
| Children | 3 |
Joseph M. Vojvodich (VAH-vah-ditch) is the first Asian American to become a flag officer in the United States Coast Guard.
Early life
Vojvodich was born in South Korea in 1963 to U.S. Army soldier Joseph Vojvodich and Su Cha Mun.[1] He is of Korean and Serbian sescent. He was raised in Richmond, Ohio. He graduated from Jefferson Union High School in 1981.[2] He graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1985 where he had played football and track and field.[2] He earned a master's degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University and is a graduate of the Naval War College. He also earned a masters of science in national resource strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.[3]
Coast Guard career
Vojvodich was a navigator on the USCGC John Midgett and executive officer on the USCGC Storis. He was the commanding officer of the USCGC Gentian and USCGC Sapelo.[4] He was captain of the Port of Long Island Sound until June 2010.[5] While commander of the Gentian he wrote "Building an Effective Maritime Neighborhood Watch in the Caribbean" for the U.S. Naval Institute.
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On 12 May 2012 he was awarded the National Ethnic Coalition Medal of Honor, which "honors ancestry groups that comprise America's unique cultural mosaic," at Ellis Island.[2]
As a captain, he was Commander of Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound 2010–2013.[1][5] He was promoted to Rear Admiral (lower half) 1 July 2013,[5] and became the program executive officer and director of acquisition programs at USCG headquarters.[5]
His other assignments have been deputy for mission support at USCG headquarters[1] and deputy for Materiel Readiness at USCG Headquarters[6]
On 10 October 2019, Vojvodich was awarded the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers Salutes Career Service Award in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[6]
He retired from the Coast Guard 1 August 2020.[3]
Honors
The Joseph M. Vojvodich Award is given to a Coast Guard member who has fostered a community of inclusion by providing mentorship to historically underrepresented cadets at USCGA.[7]
- 2017: RADM Joseph M. Vojvodich
- 2018: Lt. Christine Igisomar
- 2019: Lt. Cmdr. Celina H. Ladyga
- 2020: Coast Guard Academy Scholars (CGAS) Program Leadership Team (Chris McMunn, LT Timothy J. Kessell, LT Marvi M. Rivera, YNC Jennifer C. Rosen, and YNC Deborah J. Hamilton)[8]
- 2023: Lt. Cmdr. Mark Braxton, USCG (ret)[9]
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| Badge | Cutterman Insignia - Officer | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st row | Legion of Merit (2nd Award) | ||
| 2nd row | Meritorious Service Medal | Coast Guard Commendation Medal (3rd Award) | Coast Guard Achievement Medal |
| 3rd row | Presidential Unit Citation | Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award | Coast Guard Unit Commendation (2nd Award) |
| 4th row | Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation
(3rd Award) |
Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation
(4th Award) |
Coast Guard "E" Ribbon (2nd Award) |
| 5th row | Coast Guard | National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award) | Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |
| 6th row | Humanitarian Service Medal | Transportation 9-11 Ribbon | Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon |
| 7th Row | Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon (3rd Award) | Coast Guard Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon | Coast Guard Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon |
References
- 1 2 3 "Asian-American Pacific Islander Transportation History: Rear Admiral Joseph M. Vojvodich, US Coast Guard". Transportation History. 2019-05-28. Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- 1 2 3 Kiaski, Janice R. (May 27, 2012). "Former Richmond resident awarded National Ethnic Coalition Medal of Honor". www.cgaalumni.org. Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- 1 2 "Rear Admiral Joseph M. Vojvodich". United States Coast Guard. Archived from the original on 2026-04-21. Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- ↑ "Rear Admiral Joseph M. Vojvodich: Deputy for Mission Support U.S. Coast Guard" (PDF). US Coast Guard. Retrieved August 2, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound Changes Commanders". CT.gov - Connecticut's Official State Website. Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- 1 2 "'Get there tough'". Weirton Daily Times. Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- ↑ "USCGA Eclipse Awards 2019" (PDF). USCGA.
- ↑ "ALCOAST 154/20 - APR 2020 ECLIPSE 2020 AWARD WINNERS". U.S. Coast Guard. Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- ↑ "Academy News". www.cgaalumni.org. Retrieved 2026-08-02.