MKCM Roger “Buck” Ward

Command Master Chief, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Miami

Master Chief Roger “Buck” Ward assumed the duties of Sector Miami Command Master Chief June 15, 2003, following a tour of duty at the Special Missions Training Center at Camp Lejuene.

Raised in Portland, Oregon, Master Chief Ward enlisted in the Coast Guard in January 1966.  After completing basic training at Coast Guard Training Center Alameda, Calif., Master Chief Ward departed for Vietnam while serving on the Coast Guard Cutter Minnetonka.

Master Chief Ward has also served assignments on the cutters Winona, Wachusett, Fir, Sweetbrier and Active. In addition to his shipboard assignments, he has also served ashore at: Coast Guard Stations San Francisco and Yaquina Bay, Oregon; Support Center Alameda, California; Aids to Navigation Team Port Angeles, Washington; Port Security Training Detachment Camp Lejeune; and Maintenance and Logistics Command Atlantic in Norfolk, Virginia. As is typical for most Coast Guard units, these ships and stations perform a variety of missions such as maintaining aids to navigation, conducting search and rescue cases, enforcing fisheries and drug laws, and preparing for military operations.

Master Chief’s military awards include the Coast Guard Achievement Medal  (with four gold stars), The Commandant’s Letter of Commendation, Combat Action Ribbon, seven Good Conduct Medals, Cutterman’s Insignia, and the Boat Forces Insignia.

He is married to the former Cathy Cox, and they have two children, Victor and Laurie.