Vice Admiral Cylde T. Lusk Jr. became Vice Commandant of the United States Coast Guard in June of 1988. He was Chief of Staff of Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington, from 1986 to 1988. He served as commander of the Eighth Coast Guard District in New Orleans, from 1985 to 1986. Prior to that assignment, he was Chief of the Office of Merchant Marine Safety at Coast Guard Headquarters from 1981 until 1985 and was Deputy Chief of that office from 1980 to 1981. Vice Admiral Lusk retired June 1, 1990.
Vice Admiral Lusk served as Chief of Operations, Eighth Coast Guard District from 1978 until 1980. He was Commanding Officer of the Merchant Marine Isnpection Office in New Orleans, from 1975-78.
While stationed in Washington, from 1970 through 1974, he was Director of Transportation Energy Policy, Assistant Chief of the Merchant Marine Safety Planning Staff and Assistant Chief of the Merchant Marine Safety Planning Staff and Assistant Chief of the Merchant Marine Inspection Division.
Other assignments included Commanding Officer of the Merchant Marine Safety Office in St. Louis, a Headquarters tour in the Office of Merchant Marine Safety, duty as a marine inpsector in Long Beach, California, duty onboard the cutters Evergreen and Duane and Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard Loran Station Spruce Cape in Kodiak, Alaska.
Vice Admiral Lusk received a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, in 1954. He attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, from 1974-75. He also participated in an industrial training program with American Waterways Operations, Inc. in 1965.
His awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, two Legion of Merit Medals, two Meritorious Service Medals, the Secretary's Award for Service Silver Medal, the Coast Guard Commendation Medal and the Coast Guard Achievement Medal.
Vice Admiral Lusk is a native of Medford, Massachusetts. He is married to the former Beverly, J. T. of Wethersfield, Connecticut, a graduate of Connecticut College for Women in New London. They have six children: Joan Elaine, Gail Marie, Louis Elizabeth, Mark Thomas, Lori Ann and John Edward. The Lusks reside in Bethesda, Maryland.