2005 Norwich Native Son Admiral Robert Papp, Jr. is a retired United States Coast Guard admiral and served as the 24th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. He led the largest component of the United States Department of Homeland Security, with 42,000 active duty, 8,200 Reserve, 8,000 civilian, and 31,000 Auxiliary personnel.
Robert Papp, Jr. is a 1975 graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy. Additionally, he holds a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the US Naval War College and a Master of Science in Management from Salve Regina University.
Military honors include Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with gold award star and Operational Distinguishing Device, Coast Guard Commendation Medal, Coast Guard Achievement Medal, Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbon, Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation, Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award, Coast Guard Unit Commendation, Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, Meritorious Team Commendation, Coast Guard “E” Ribbon, Coast Guard Bicentennial Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Transportation 9-11 Ribbon, Special Operations Service Ribbon, Sea Service Ribbon, Order of Naval Merit Admiral Padilla, Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with silver sharpshooter