Rear Admiral John N. Faigle, assumed duties as Chief, Office of Readiness and Reserve, United States Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington, D.C., in July 1989.
A native of Portsmouth, Virginia, Admiral Faigle graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering. He holds a Masters degree in international affairs from George Washington University, is a Distinguished Graduate of the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, and a 1981 graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University, Washington, D.C.
Admiral Faigle commenced his military career by joining the U.S. Naval Reserve as an Electrician's Mate Third Class in 1954. Since graduation from the Coast Guard Academy, he has served in a wide variety of staff and operational assignments including command of the Coast Guard Cutters Yeaton and Sassafras, and command of Coast Guard LORAN Station Tarumpitao, Philippine Islands.
From 1969 to 1972 he served as aide to the Commandant of the Coast Guard. He was assigned to United States Mission to the United Nations as an advisor for Political and Security Affairs, serving on various Ambassadorial Staffs and as a member of the United States Delegation to the Law of the Sea Conference from 1975 to 1978.
In 1978, as a Commander, he assumed the duties of Assistant Chief, International Affairs Division, Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington, D.C. He was promoted to the rank of captain in December 1979. Admiral Faigle was Commanding Officer of United States Coast Guard Reserve Training Center, Yorktown, Virginia, from 1981 to 1984. In the summer of 1984, he was assigned as Chief, Intelligence and Law Enforcement, Seventh Coast Guard District, Miami, and the following year became Chief of Operations of that district. Upon completion of two years as Chief of Staff, First Coast Guard District (1986-1988), Admiral Faigle became the Chief of Staff, Atlantic Area and Maritime Defense Zone Atlantic in August of 1988. He was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral (LH) on April 19, 1989.
Admiral Faigle's awards include six Meritorious Service Medals, two Coast Guard Commendation Medals, a Coast Guard Achievement Medal and several lesser decorations.
Admiral Faigle is married to the former Susan B. of Northport, New York. They have two sons, John Jr. and Richard.