Rear Admiral Norman C. Venzke, Commander, Second Coast Guard District, is from Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut on June 2, 1950 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering. His postgraduate eduction was obtained at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School (Ordnance Engineering – B.S. in Electrical Engineering), Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the George Washington University (M.S. in Administration).
His operational assignments include duty in the following ships: Deck Watch Officer, Ingham and Chincoteague; Executive Officer, Pandora; Operations Officer, Westwind; Executive Officer, Edisto; and Commanding Officer, Northwind and Polar Star. The latter four ships are icebreakers which participated in Arctic and Antarctic operations. In Vietnam, he served simultaneously as Commander, Coast Guard Division Eleven; Commander, Gulf of Thailand Surveillance Group; and Fourth Coastal Zone Advisor during April 1967 to April 1968. Additionally, RADM Venzke holds a Merchant Marine License as Master of Steam or Motor Vessels of Any Gross Tons Upon Oceans.
RADM Venzke’s shore assignments include duty as Chief, Office of Operations and Chief, Office of Public and International Affairs, USCG Headquarters; Chief, Weapons Section and Instructor in the Department of Professional Studies at the Coast Guard Academy; and Ship Operations Officer on the staff of Commander, U.S. Naval Support Force Antarctica. In June 1982 he is scheduled to assume again the duties of Chief, Office of Operations, USCG Headquarters.
He was promoted to flag rank as Rear Admiral on 24 February 1977. He has been awarded the Legion of Merit with Comabt V, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Honor Medal First Class.
He and his late wife, Dee, have a daughter, Erica, who will be entering college in the fall of 1982.