ALCGPSC 098/23 - DEATH OF A RETIRED FLAG OFFICER

18 AUG 2023

ALCGPSC 098/23
SUBJ: DEATH OF A RETIRED FLAG OFFICER
A. United States Coast Guard Regulations 1992, COMDTINST M5000.3B
1. It is with great sadness that I announce the death of
Rear Admiral Norman T. Saunders, USCG (retired), who passed away on
Sunday, June 4, 2023, in Chantilly, Virginia, at the age of 80.
2. RADM Saunders was born October 19, 1942, in Amityville, New York,
and was a 1964 graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy.
He attended the Naval Post Graduate School and earned a Master of
Science degree in Operations Research in 1972. In 1985, RADM
Saunders graduated from the National War College.
3. RADM Saunders took command of the Seventh Coast Guard District in
June 1997. The Seventh District is one of the busiest Coast Guard
districts and covers 1.8 million square miles encompassing the waters
around Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, and the entire Caribbean.
4. Prior to this assignment, he was Assistant Commandant for
Operations, U.S. Coast Guard. His other flag assignments included
Commander, Military Personnel Command, located at U.S. Coast Guard
Headquarters, and Commander, Second Coast Guard District, in
St. Louis, Missouri.
5. During previous tours he served as Chief, Seventh District
Operations Division, and Chief, Seventh District Intelligence and
Law Enforcement Branch. He also commanded Coast Guard Groups Key
West, F.L., and Rockaway (Ft. Tilden, New York), and Coast Guard
Cutters DEPENDABLE (Panama City, Florida), POINT ORIENT (DaNang,
Vietnam), and CAPE HATTERAS (San Pedro, California). He served as
Executive Officer on the Coast Guard Cutter COURAGEOUS (Port
Canaveral, Florida), and as a deck watch officer on the Coast Guard
Cutter ACUSHNET (Portland, Maine).
6. A Vietnam veteran, RADM Saunders' military awards included the
Legion of Merit with two gold stars, the Bronze Star Medal with
Combat V, the Meritorious Service Medal with one gold star, the
Coast Guard Commendation Medal with one gold star, the Navy
Commendation Medal with Combat V, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal,
and other campaign and service awards.
7. RADM Saunders is survived by his wife, Chris, from Pasadena,
California, and their two children.
8. RADM Saunders will ultimately be laid to rest at Arlington
National Cemetery. Funeral service information and half-mast
instructions will be sent via separate message.
9. RDML Russell Dash, Commander, PSC, sends.
10. Internet release is authorized.