Quick Facts
Biography
Mark Howard Buzby (born October 6, 1956) is a former United States Navy rear admiral. He retired from the Navy in 2013 and joined Carnival Cruises Safety & Reliability Review Board.
Career
Buzby relieved Rear Admiral Robert D. Reilly Jr as Commander of the Military Sealift Command (MSC) on October 16, 2009 and served the position for about 3.5 years. On May 10, 2013, Admiral Buzby was relieved by Rear Admiral (select) Thomas K. Shannon and retired from 34 years of service.
A 1979 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Buzby earned his Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science and U.S. Coast Guard Third Mate License. He was commissioned in June 1979, is a graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College and holds master's degrees from the U.S. Naval War College and Salve Regina University in Strategic Studies and International Relations.
As a surface warfare officer, Buzby made numerous deployments aboard cruisers and destroyers to include: USS Connole (FF 1056), USS Aries (PHM 5), USS Yorktown (CG 48) and USS Shiloh (CG 67). Buzby commanded the destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) which included the ship’s first Mediterranean/Persian Gulf deployment.
Following this tour, Buzby returned to sea as U.S. 6th Fleet assistant operations officer participating in combat operations as part of NATO’s Operation Allied Force in Kosovo. He then assumed command of Destroyer Squadron 31 as the sea combat commander for the Abraham Lincoln Battle Group during two deployments in support of Operations Southern Watch and Enduring Freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan, respectively.
Ashore, Buzby has served on the Navy staff as the Point Defense Anti-Air Warfare section head for Surface Warfare Division and as Aegis Combat System development officer. Early joint experience was on the Joint Staff, Joint Operations Division as an operations officer and chairman’s briefer. He was the 16th commanding officer of Surface Warfare Officers School command.
Buzby took command of Joint Task Force Guantanamo in May 2007 and was relieved by Admiral David M. Thomas Jr. in 2008.
As a flag officer, Buzby has served on the Navy staff as deputy for Surface Ships, deputy for Surface Warfare and deputy for Expeditionary Warfare. He has also served as commander, Joint Task Force Guantanamo, and most recently as deputy chief of Staff for Global Force Management and Joint Operations, U.S. Fleet Forces Command. Buzby served as the commander of the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command from October 2009 to March 2013.
Buzby’s personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (four awards), Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (five awards) and various other unit and campaign awards.
Awards and Decorations
Surface Warfare Officer insignia
 | Navy Distinguished Service Medal (awarded at MSC change of command ceremony) |
 | Defense Superior Service Medal |
  | Legion of Merit with two award stars |
 | Bronze Star |
 | Defense Meritorious Service Medal |
 | Meritorious Service Medal with four award stars |
 | Joint Service Commendation Medal |
 | Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two award stars |
 | Joint Service Achievement Medal |
 | Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal |
  | Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon with two service stars |
 | Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon with a service star |
 | Navy E Ribbon (four times awarded) |
 | Navy Expeditionary Medal with two service stars |
 | National Defense Service Medal with a service star |
 | Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal |
 | Kosovo Campaign Medal |
 | Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal |
 | Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |
  | Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with seven service stars |
 | Navy Overseas Service Ribbon |
 | NATO Medal for Kosovo |
 | Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon |
 | Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal |