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Rear Admiral William G. Kelly, a 1983 graduate from Archbishop Stepinac High School has been named as the 42nd Superintendent of the United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA). Currently the Assistant Commandant for the Human Resources of the Coast Guard, he will take over his new role next summer.
The first of five brothers of a Yonkers family to graduate from the all-boys Catholic high school, officials said that Kelly distinguished himself at Stepinac academically as well as on the championship Crusaders varsity football team as quarterback. After graduating from the USCGA in 1987, he went on to earn a master’s degree in Instructional Systems Design from Florida State University and a Certificate in Human Resource Management.
According to the Coast Guard, Kelly is a Cutterman with more than ten years of service at sea, including two command tours on the cutters, USCGC Seneca and USCGC Monomoy. As Executive Officer of the USCGC Spencer, he prepared and successfully led the crew for deployment with the U.S. Navy’s 6th Fleet in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Spencer also stood watch protecting the ports of New York and Boston in the days following the Sept. 11 attacks.
During his time with the Coast Guard, Kelly has won the Legion of Merit award three times; the Meritorious Service Medal four times; the Coast Guard Commendation Medal six times, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal and the permanent Cutterman’s Pin.
While speaking to juniors and seniors about leadership in September 2017, Kelly said “No one gets where they are by themselves. Whether it is your parents, teachers, coaches—all of them help you become better—so be sure to thank them.”
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