Joanna M. Nunan (born 3 October 1965) is a former United States Maritime Service vice admiral, and a retired United States Coast Guard rear admiral, who served as the 14th superintendent of the United States Merchant Marine Academy from 8 December 2022 to 24 June 2025. The first woman to become superintendent of the academy, her appointment was lauded by Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and administrator of the United States Maritime Administration Ann C. Phillips.
A native of Bridgeport, Connecticut, Nunan served in the Coast Guard from 1987 to 2022, eventually retiring in 2022 as the deputy for personnel readiness to the deputy commandant for mission support. She also served as assistant commandant for human resources from July 2019 to July 2021, commander of the Ninth Coast Guard District from August 2017 to June 2019, and commander of Coast Guard Sector Honolulu from August 2010 to May 2013.
A graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Nunan also has multiple Merchant Marine licenses.
Awards and decorations Vice Admiral Joanna Nunan earned the following throughout her ongoing military career:VADM Joanna M. Nunan. 20 Sept. 2024. Superintendent, U.S. MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY, https://www.usmma.edu/leadership/superintendent/superintendent. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
BadgesOffice of the Secretary of Transportation Identification Badge Office of the Secretary of Homeland Security Identification Badge1st rowCoast Guard Distinguished Service MedalSecretary of Transportation Outstanding Achievement Medal2nd rowLegion of Merit Meritorious Service MedalCoast Guard Commendation Medal3rd rowCoast Guard Achievement Medal Commandant's Letter of Commendation RibbonU.S Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation4th rowDHS Outstanding Unit AwardSecretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit AwardCoast Guard Unit Commendation5th rowMeritorious Unit CommendationMeritorious Team CommendationCoast Guard E Ribbon6th rowCoast Guard Bicentennial Unit CommendationNational Defense Service MedalGlobal War on Terrorism Service Medal7th rowHumanitarian Service MedalSpecial Operations Service RibbonCoast Guard Sea Service Ribbon8th rowCoast Guard Overseas Service RibbonMarksmanship Medal (Rifle)Marksmanship Medal (Pistol)Qualification InsigniaCutterman Insignia - OfficerAdvanced Boat Force Operations InsigniaCommand Identification BadgeCommand Afloat PinCommand Ashore Pin
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