Christopher D. Sekerka Chief Machinery Technician

Chief Sekerka was born on February 27, 1968 at Stevens Point, Wisconsin. A son of a dairy farmer, he graduated from Pacelli High School in 1986.

He enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and entered recruit training on October 18, 1988. Upon graduation from TRACEN Cape May he was assigned to Aids to Navigation Team Green Bay. There he served as a small boat crewman and engineer and earned a minor aid to navigation repair qualification.

In spring of 1990 after completing machinery technician school, he advanced to Petty Officer Third Class and was assigned to the CGC Point Bridge, Marina Del Rey, California. Assigned a second class billet he was responsible for all cutter engineering systems. Qualifications/collateral duties included boarding officer, emergency medical technician, hazmat, public affairs, and officer of the day.

Having advanced to Second Class Petty Officer he was transferred to Marine Safety Office Puget Sound, Seattle, Washington. Earning the qualifications as pollution investigator, harbor safety officer, and federal on-scene coordinator. While in Seattle he attended Edmonds community college perusing a degree in Fire Command Administration.

On July 17, 1995, he left active duty and entered the reserves assigned to CG Station Sturgeon Bay. He was advanced to Petty Officer First Class in the 1997. He served two summers on active duty at Station Washington Island (Summer stock) in 1996 and 1997.

In March of 1998, he was hired as a Firefighter by the City of Oshkosh where he now lives, and completed Paramedic training in the spring of 2001.

At the request of his Officer in Charge he again served at Station Washington Island for a third summer and was advanced to Chief Petty Officer on July 1, 2002.

Chief Sekerka has the following medal and awards: Two Wisconsin Military Achievement Awards, Coast Guard Achievement Medal, Commandant’s Letter of Commendation, Secretary’s Outstanding Unit Award, Unit Commendation, Three Meritorious Unit Commendations with “O” device, Three Meritorious Team Commendations with “O” devices, Bicentennial Unit Commendation, Two Good Conduct Medals, Two Reserve Good Conduct Medals, Two National Defense Medals , Humanitarian Medal, Two Special Operation Service ribbons, Sea Service Ribbon, Sharpshooter Rifle Ribbon, and Marksman Pistol Ribbon.

Chief Sekerka married Beth Ann Wiener on November 16, 2002.

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