USCGC JAMES (WMSL 754)

COMMAND

Commanding Officer

Captain Donald M. Terkanian

Captain Donald M. Terkanian, Jr. has commanded USCGC James (WMSL 754) since December 2022.

He has served more than 12 years at sea in seven cutters, commanding five of them. He began his afloat career as Deck Watch Officer in USCGC Campbell (WMEC 909), then subsequently commanded USCGC Manowar (WPB 87330), USCGC Aquidneck, (WPB 1309), and USCGC Jefferson Island (WPB 1340). He then served as Executive Officer in USCGC Seneca (WMEC 906), and most recently commanded USCGC Bear (WMEC 901) from 2018 to 2020. He led missions in a wide variety of operational disciplines and geographic areas, including fisheries enforcement in New England, drug and migrant interdiction in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, maritime security operations in the Northern Arabian Gulf in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM, and port security in the Gulf of Mexico in the years immediately following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In between afloat tours, Captain Terkanian served as Search and Rescue Controller and Command Duty Officer for the First Coast Guard District in Boston Massachusetts, as the Deputy Chief of Atlantic Area Cutter Forces, and commanded Training Team East in Portsmouth, Virginia. Captain Terkanian recently completed an assignment at Coast Guard Headquarters where he served in the Office of Law Enforcement Policy as chief of the Drug and Migrant Interdiction division. He received his commission from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 2000.

Personal awards include three Meritorious Service Medals, three CG Commendation Medals, the 911 Transportation Medal, three CG Achievement Medals, and the Iraq Campaign Medal.

Executive Officer

CDR Kevin B. Laubenheimer

Command Chief

OSCS Cody A. Rochus ​

Senior Chief Cody Rochus reported aboard USCGC James (WMSL 754) in April 2022 and assumed the duties as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader in December 2023. 

Sea duty assignments including USCGC Rush (WHEC 723) in Honolulu, Hawaii; USCGC Hamilton (WMSL 753) in Charleston, South Carolina; and USCGC Mellon (WHEC 717) in Seattle, Washington accumulating over ten years of sea time.

Senior Chief Rochus’ assignments ashore include Sector Ohio Valley Command Center in Louisville, Kentucky, and Sector Northern New England Command Center in South Portland, Maine. 

His personal awards include four Coast Guard Achievement Medals with the operational distinguishing device, four Coast Guard Commandant Letter of Commendation Ribbons with the operational distinguishing device, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and various other personal and unit awards. Additionally, he is authorized to wear the Cutterman Insignia, and Response Operations Ashore Insignia.   

Originally, from Oak Hill, Ohio, Senior Chief Rochus enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in February 2007. He has been married to his wife Ashley since September of 2008 and they are the proud owners of two Yellow Labs named Roxie and Remi. 

Last Modified: 30 MAY 2024