Franklin A. Welch, the ninth Master Chief Petty Officer of the United States Coast Guard, passed away on Thursday, June 25, 2026.
Welch entered the Coast Guard in 1980 after graduating from Shades Valley High School in Birmingham, Alabama. A former Master Chief Quartermaster, he served more than 26 years in the Coast Guard, including as the service’s senior enlisted leader from October 10, 2002, to June, 2006.
Before becoming Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, Welch served as Officer in Charge of USCGC SOCKEYE, homeported in Bodega Bay, California. His first operational task aboard the cutter was commanding its 6,000-nautical-mile transit from New Orleans to Bodega Bay. He had previously served as Officer in Charge of USCGC POINT CHICO, also based in Bodega Bay.
Welch’s Coast Guard career included assignments aboard USCGC SWEETBRIER in Alaska, USCGC HARRIET LANE, USCGC VIGOROUS, and USCGC GALVESTON ISLAND in Guam. He also served at Aids to Navigation Team Bristol, Rhode Island, and with the Fleet Training Unit, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, where he worked as an underway navigation and visual communications instructor.
His leadership roles included “Gold Badge” Command Master Chief for the Ninth Coast Guard District in Cleveland, representing enlisted members across the Great Lakes, and Master Chief of the Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Academy in Petaluma, California. He was president of Chief Petty Officer Academy Class XXVI.
Welch earned several professional designations, including permanent Cutterman, Coxswain, Command Master Chief, Chief Petty Officer Academy, and Officer in Charge Afloat pins. His awards included the Distinguished Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, Coast Guard and Navy commendation medals, the Transportation 9-11 Medal, seven Coast Guard Good Conduct Medals, and the Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation.
Master Chief Charles “Skip” W. Bowen succeeded Welch as the tenth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard on June 14, 2006.
