Kevin Lunday

Kevin Eugene Lunday (born October 12, 1965)^[1] is a United States Coast Guard admiral who has served as the acting commandant of the Coast Guard since 21 January 2025 and as the 34th vice commandant of the Coast Guard since 13 June 2024. He previously served as commander of the Coast Guard Atlantic Area from 2022 to 2024.^[2][3]

Kevin Lunday
Official portrait, 2024
Acting Commandant of the Coast Guard
Incumbent
Assumed office 21 January 2025
President	Donald Trump
Vice Commandant	Himself
Preceded by	Linda L. Fagan
34th Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard
Incumbent
Assumed office 13 June 2024
Commandant	Linda L. Fagan Himself (acting)
Preceded by	Steven D. Poulin
Personal details
Born	(1965-10-12) October 12, 1965 (age 59) Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
Alma mater	United States Coast Guard Academy (BS) George Washington University Law School (JD) College of Naval Command and Staff National War College (MS)
Awards	Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (2)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Coast Guard
Years of service	1987–present
Rank	Admiral
Commands	Commandant of the Coast Guard (acting) Coast Guard Atlantic Area Coast Guard Fourteenth District Coast Guard Cyber Command Coast Guard Maritime Intelligence Fusion Center Atlantic USCG Point Martin (WPB-82379)

A native of South Carolina, Lunday received his commission from the United States Coast Guard Academy in 1987, where he graduated with a B.S. degree in marine engineering.^[4] He holds a Juris Doctor from George Washington University Law School, an M.S. degree in national security strategy from the National War College and is a distinguished graduate of the College of Naval Command and Staff.^[1]

Military career

Lunday served as the deputy for materiel readiness to the deputy commandant for mission support of the United States Coast Guard from 2020 to 2022. He also previously commanded the Coast Guard Fourteenth District (Hawaii and Pacific territories) from July 2018 to June 2020, Coast Guard Cyber Command from 2016 to 2018, and served as the director of exercises and training (J7) of United States Cyber Command from 2014 to 2016.^{[4][5][6][7][8]}

In March 2024, Lunday was nominated for promotion to admiral and appointment as vice commandant of the Coast Guard.^[9]

Awards and Decorations

Admiral Lunday earned the Coast Guard Judge Advocate General (CGJAG) Professionals qualification badge as well as both the Command Ashore and Command Afloat badges. ^[10]

Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal Ribbon with Gold Star

Defense Superior Service Medal Ribbon

Legion of Merit Medal Ribbon with three Gold Stars

Meritorious Service Medal Ribbon with two Gold Stars

Coast Guard Commendation Medal Ribbon with O Device and two Gold Stars

Coast Guard Achievement Medal Ribbon with O Device and Gold Star

Commandants Letter of Commendation Ribbon

Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation with Hurricane Device

Joint Meritorious Unit Award with Coast Guard Frame

Coast Guard DHS Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon with Coast Guard Frame

D.O.T. Outstanding Unit Citation

Coast Guard Unit Commendation Ribbon with O Device and three Gold Stars

Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation with O Device

Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation with Silver Star and three Gold Stars

Coast Guard Bicentennial Unit Commendation Ribbon

National Defense Service Medal Ribbon with Bronze Star

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Ribbon

Armed Forces Service Medal Ribbon

Humanitarian Service Medal Ribbon with Bronze Star

D.O.T. 9-11 Medal Coast Guard Ribbon

Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon

Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon with Bronze Star

Coast Guard Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon with Expert E

Coast Guard Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with Sharpshooter S