Captain
Kevin O'Day
Chief of Response, District Eleven
U.S. Coast Guard
Captain O'Day is a native of Smithfield, Rhode Island and is a 1982 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy where he earned a BS in Civil Engineering. After graduation, he reported to CGC SHERMAN as a Student Engineer and Damage Control Assistant.
After graduate school and assignments as a Marine Inspector and a shore based Engineer Officer/Industrial Manager, Captain O’Day returned to sea duty in 1993 as Engineer Officer CGC MORGENTHAU here in Alameda, CA. As MORGENTHAU EO, he helped guide the cutter over a 3 year period and prepared the cutter and crew for it’s historic deployment to the Persian Gulf, a first for the U.S. Coast Guard.
In 1996, Captain O’Day was assigned as WHEC Type Desk Section Chief at the MLC Pacific Naval Engineering Division. He fleeted up to Vessel Support Branch Chief in 1999 where he was responsible for the maintenance, repair and upgrade of all cutters and boats in the Pacific Area. Captain O’Day spearheaded the Naval Engineering Division’s strategic shift towards condition based maintenance and the use of fleet support contracts through closer partnership with the US Navy and industry. Captain O’Day also initiated the development of a standard 378 machinery space fire doctrine and implemented sweeping changes to cutter class maintenance plans, which today forms the basis of all naval engineering maintenance for all CG cutters. For his efforts in improving Pacific Area cutter fleet readiness, Captain O’Day was awarded the American Society of Naval Engineers prestigious “Claud A. Jones Award” in 2001. He was the first Coast Guard Officer ever to earn this national award.
In 2002, Captain O’Day returned to sea duty as Executive Officer of CGC SHERMAN. As SHERMAN XO, he helped develop Eastern Pacific cutter-helo CD training and drills for Operation New Frontier. During his tour, SHERMAN executed 3 drug seizures totaling 13,000 pounds of cocaine and earned distinction in health and food services.
Captain O’Day’s most recent shore assignment was as Chief of MLC Pacific’s Personnel Division where he helped manage the Pacific Area reserve and housing programs.
From Jun 06 to July 08, Captain O’Day served as Commanding Officer of CGC MORGENTHAU. During his 26 month tour, MORGENTHAU seized or disrupted over 17 tons of cocaine and employed airborne use of force on multiple occasions to stop, seize, sink or destroy 7 go fast vessels. During his tour, MORGENTHAU intercepted 3 migrant cases and prosecuted 8 SAR cases saving more than 215 lives and participated in a five month 2008 CARAT/SEACAT deployment, while earning multiple unit awards for superb unit readiness and outstanding multi-mission execution.
Captain O’Day holds a Master of Science Degree in Industrial Administration from Purdue University where he earned “Krannert Scholar” distinction for graduating with highest honors. His military awards include three Meritorious Service Medal with “o” device, three Coast Guard Commendation Medals with “o” device, two Coast Guard Achievement Medals with “o” device and other unit awards and citations, including six “Battle E” awards for superior operational readiness all earned aboard 378 cutters.