The Long Blue Line (Summer 2020)

SUMMER 2020 

YOUR RETIREE NEWSLETTER & MORE 

Inside this 

issue: 

Q&A with 

ADMIRAL 

KARL 

SCHULTZ 

Profile on 

Aviation Pioneer 

SERGEI I. 

SIKORSKY

NATIONAL RETIREE COUNCIL CO-CHAIRS 

WELCOME TO SUMMER! By the time you read this, 

the vast majority of us will finally be out from under 

mandatory COVID-19 stay at home orders. The 

sun sure feels nice on my face. Most of us looked 

forward to retirement and the ability to go wherever, 

do whatever, whenever we wanted. Ms. COVID-19 

sure put a dent in that dream for a long while! I hope 

you all will continue to stay safe as our country slowly 

returns to business as usual, with a few new wrinkles. 

It has been a strange time for our CG national retiree 

council as well. Our April annual council meeting 

had to be postponed. We still hope to convene a 

meeting, even if only by teleconference, before the 

end of September. But most importantly, we were 

not able to give my previous co-chair, MCPO Kevin 

Isherwood a proper, and well deserved, send off 

(Kevin’s personal farewell message was contained 

in our last issue.) But I wanted you all to know that 

MCPO Isherwood was presented with the Coast 

Guard Distinguished Public Service award honoring 

his four years of exceptional service as a CG national 

retiree council co-chair. I know that Kevin will remain 

a very visible presence in our CG retiree community. 

It is my honor to announce my new CG national 

retiree council co-chair, MCPO Lloyd Pierce! A 

bountiful group of 18 highly qualifi ed candidates 

stepped forward and volunteered, which made 

the selection process difficult. Each volunteer has 

received personal thanks from our CG-1, RADM 

Joanna Nunan. I want to add my congratulations 

to all candidates as well. I hope that you all remain 

active in your respective CG regional retiree councils. 

Unfortunately, because of required social distancing, 

MCPO Lloyd Pierce has not yet had the opportunity 

to see the national retiree council in action. Thus, I am 

flying solo in writing our national co-chair message 

for this issue of the Long Blue Line. But that also gives 

me the opportunity to personally sing the praises of 

my new co-chair. So here we go: 

MCPO Lloyd Pierce served a distinguished 32-year 

CG career, focused around sea duty. A career QM/ 

BM, he served afloat on both coasts and the Gulf 

of Mexico. Lloyd completed multiple OIC afl oat 

tours and when he retired in 2014, was serving as 

the CG’s 11th Silver Ancient Mariner. Some of you 

may remember MCPO Pierce from his duties at CG 

Recruit Training Center Cape May, where he served 

as both a company and battalion commander. A 

graduate of both the CG Chief’s Academy (class 

34) and The U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy 

(class 54), I first met MCPO Pierce when he served 

as my Command Master Chief at Joint Interagency 

Task Force South in Key West. We learned the “Joint” 

world together. Lloyd moved on to serve as the CMC 

in CG District Eight, which included the Deep Water 

Horizon disaster. He finished his CG career as the 

CMC at our U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Wow! 

Now in his second career, MCPO Pierce works for 

the Pinellas County, FL Sheriff’s Office and is active 

in numerous national and community service and 

outreach programs. Shortly before his CG retirement, 

MCPO Pierce wrote an article for the CG Compass 

titled “Why I Serve.” I hope that many of you will find 

the time to read it at: https://coastguard.dodlive. 

mil/2013/08/why-i-serve-bmcm-lloyd-pierce/ 

In the article, Lloyd says the term AYE-AYE is his 

reason for service. He describes what that term 

means to him that very accurately sums up the 

MCPO Pierce that I know: 

“Although, I’m merely a simple sailor with a love of 

the sea, “AYE-AYE” is not just a silly sailor phrase. 

When you get an “AYE-AYE” from me it comes from 

my heart and soul. It is a verbal contract that I am 

bound to keep. It is surer than a pledge, bigger than 

a promise and binding as an oath.” 

Welcome aboard MCPO Lloyd Pierce, we are all 

honored to have you serving as our newest CG 

national retiree council co-chair! 

RADM Jeff Hathaway, USCG (Ret) 

hathaway.cgnrc@aol.com 

MCPO Lloyd Pierce, USCG (Ret) 

Ipierce38@tampabay.rr.com 

2 SUMMER 2020 

THE LONG BLUE LINE

THE LONG BLUE LINE SUMMER 2020 

3

SUMMER 2020 

Managing Editor: Drew Forster 

Graphic Designer: Scott McGuire 

Contributing Writer: William H. 

Thiesen, Ph.D. 

Chief of the Mess: MCPOCG Vincent 

W. Patton, Ed.D., USCG (Ret.) 

PUBLISHER: 

The Long Blue Line is published 

quarterly by the National Coast 

Guard Museum Association, 

78 Howard Street, Suite A, New 

London, CT 06320 

ADVERTISING: 

Please contact Mary Joe Clark, 

Maryjoeclark0@gmail.com 

781-707-6565 

PAST ISSUES: 

Current and past issues of The 

Long Blue Line (formerly The 

Retiree Newsletter) are accessible 

at: www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/ras/ 

retnews/ where you can also 

subscribe for e-distribution of this 

newsletter and other important 

retiree communications. 

Coast Guard Distribution Lists can 

be found at the USCG Public Affairs 

News Room at: www.news.uscg.mil 

ON THE COVER: 

Coast Guard Commandant ADM. 

Karl Schultz delivers the 2020 

State of the Coast Guard Address 

in Charleston, South Carolina. 

During the annual address, 

Schultz reflected on the Service's 

successes over the past year, 

detailed the Fiscal Year 2021 

President’s Budget Request, and 

outlined the shared vision for the 

future of the Coast Guard. Photo 

by Petty Officer 2nd Class Lisa 

Ferdinando. 

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 

6 

8 

12 

22 

34 

38 

42 

50 

60 

63 

CG Retiree Services Program 

A message from the director 

Regional Retiree 

Council Reports 

COVER STORY | Q&A With Admiral Karl Schultz: 

The 26th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard 

Profile: Sergei Sikorsky 

Safety Deck: Inside glimpse at the missions that will drive the 

exhibits of the National Coast Guard Museum’s Safety Deck 

The Keel Laid for Offshore Patrol 

Cutter ARGUS 

Retirement Notices 

TAPS Notices 

CG Pay & Personnel Center, Retiree & 

Annuitant Services (PPC-RAS) 

CG Pay & Personnel Center, Retiree & 

Annuitant Services (PPC-RAS) - Directory 

Assistance & Other Important Phone 

Numbers & Websites 

CORRECTION: 

In the previous issue of The Long Blue Line there was an error. In the article 100 Years of the Chief: a Timeline, we 

stated that the vessel the POLAR STAR was the first U.S. surface vessel to reach the North Pole. The correct name 

of the vessel is the POLAR SEA. 

Find all of this content at longblueline.org 

IMPORTANT REMINDERS: 

WHAT HAS CHANGED? The CG Retiree Services Program (vice Retiree Council) is now partnering with the National 

Coast Guard Museum to publish this print version of the retiree newsletter. 

WHAT’S NOT CHANGING? Coast Guard content (e.g. Retiree Services messaging; Retirements, TAPS, and Reunion 

and other notices; and helpful phone #s, websites). The Retiree Services Program Manager remains the POC for CG 

content and input to the newsletter. The deadline for input for the fall 2020 newsletter is 20 Aug 2020. 

I do NOT have the capability to update retiree mailing/e-mail addresses in Direct Access (DA). This is a function of 

CG PPC. I only upload retiree addresses from DA for mailing of the newsletter and other communications. 

Robert Hinds, CG-1335, Robert.C.Hinds@uscg.mil 

Neither the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) nor the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) endorse the National Coast 

Guard Museum Association, Inc, or any other non-federal entity. Further, neither DHS nor the USCG endorse or support 

the products or services advertised in this newsletter, the organizations advertising in this newsletter, or the statements 

of any non- U.S. Coast Guard contributors for this newsletter. 


THE LONG BLUE LINE


5

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR 

U.S. COAST GUARD RETIREE INFORMATION 

A MESSAGE FROM 

THE DIRECTOR 

I RELIEVED CAPT CHRIS HULSER AS ACTING DIRECTOR OF MILITARY PERSONNEL 

AND RETIREE SERVICES (CG-13) ON 15 MAY 2020. I want to thank CAPT Hulser for his 

extraordinary service as Deputy and then Acting Director since June 2018 and wish him all the 

best in his new assignment as Commanding Officer, ATC Mobile. I also want to congratulate 

MCPO Kevin Isherwood, USCG (Ret.), having received the Commandant’s Distinguished Service 

Public Service Award for his service as the CGNRC MCPO Co-Chair from April 2016 – July 

2020, and MCPO Lloyd Pierce, USCG (Ret.), for his appointment as RADM Jeff Hathaway’s new 

Co-Chair. I’m grateful to the 18 highly qualified retired MCPOs who volunteered to serve in this 

position and for their continued contributions to the CG and its retiree community. 

I extend my sincere appreciation and BZ to CAPT Wes Pulver, USCG 

(Ret.), President of the National Coast Guard Museum Association 

along with Mr. Drew Forster, Director of Communications and Mr. Scott 

McGuire, Graphic Designer having received the Commandant’s Meritorious Public Service 

Award for leading efforts with the CG that transferred responsibility for quarterly publication 

of The Retiree Newsletter (new Long Blue Line) to the Museum Association, and guiding 

transformation of the legacy black-and-white paper newsletter into a robust, professional color 

publication – enormously well received by more 

than 64,000 retirees & annuitants and CG senior 

leadership, 

As with our other active duty CG programs, 

I’m working to ensure Retiree Services remains 

Ready, Relevant, and Responsive to the CG and 

our retiree community throughout the ongoing 

pandemic and makes a smooth transition to new 

program leadership, including my replacement, 

CAPT Tom King (D-14 Chief of Staff), who will be 

relieving me as CG-13 in August 2020. 

Your in Service, 

CAPT Tony Williams 

LOOK FOR THE BLUE BAR ALONG THE 

PAGE EDGE TO FIND ALL THE REGULAR 

CONTENT FROM THE FORMER RETIREE 

NEWSLETTER! 

ALL YOUR TYPICAL NEWSLETTER CONTENTIS HERE! 

RETIREMENTS TAPS 

CAN NOW BE 

CAN NOW BE 

FOUND ON 

FOUND ON 

PAGE 

PAGE 

42 50 


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7

REGIONAL RETIREE 

COUNCIL REPORTS 

COAST GUARD RETIREE COUNCIL 

NORTHWEST, PAST AND PRESENT 

The Coast Guard Retiree Council Northwest was 

fi rst chartered in November of 1983 under the 

Chairmanship of Captain (Retired) R.G. Moore. At 

that time, the Council sought to meet its mission 

requirements primarily through telephone and 

postal methods. The activities of the Council 

have evolved significantly over the years to 

accommodate changes in Service support and 

budget constraints, the anticipated needs of 

retirees and annuitants, and the changing interests 

and energy levels of our membership. At its origin, 

the Council supported retirees in both the 13th 

and 17th Districts, but the area of responsibility 

is now limited to the geographic confi nes of the 

13th District. The mission of the Council is to 

provide a channel of communications to retirees 

and annuitants on all matters related to the Coast 

Guard and retiree benefits. 

Rear Admiral Al Manning and Captain Dana 

Starkweather followed Captain Moore, starting a 

tradition of leadership by cochairmen. Of special 

note plank owner CWO Tony Espejo remains active 

in council activities after 35 years! 

While signifi cantly transformed to suit the times, 

the enduring capstone of Council communication 

tools is the quarterly newsletter, Pacifi c Currents. 

Originally produced by YNCS Ev Black, the 

newsletter was elevated to an admirable level by 

CWO Patrick Wills when he assumed the pen in 

1997. Patrick consistently edits a perfect balance 

of content including retiree benefi ts, Coast Guard 

history, and news of fallen shipmates to keep 

things both engaging and informative. The Pacifi c 

Currents was mailed quarterly to as many as 7,000 

retirees and annuitants until 2008 when Coast 

Guard budget constraints forced an end to the 

practice. The latest edition is now posted in PDF 

form on our Council website at www.cgretirenw. 

org/. See the link at the top left of the home page. 

Patrick continues to produce this exceptional 

product despite several years of serious health 

issues. 

All retiree councils suffered a major setback in 

roughly 2010 when the Coast Guard Offi ce of the 

Chief Counsel determined that the Privacy Act of 

1974 prohibited the Service from releasing retirees’ 

personal data, including Postal addresses, 

email addresses, and telephone numbers to 

retiree councils. At that point councils lost all 

their traditional means of communication until 

new methods could be adopted. By fortunate 

coincidence, the Internet and social media were 

becoming common, and a growing number of 

retirees had access. 

Through the creative and untiring efforts of LCDR 

Phil Johnson the Council website, www.cgretirenw. 

org/, was the go-to place on the Internet for all 

things of interest to Coast Guard retirees by the 

year 2010. Retirees from other Services also 

visited. In short order the site was getting more 

visits monthly than the venerable Fredsplace.com 

or the Coast Guard Pay and Personnel Center. 

At roughly 8,000 visits per month the website is 

the Council’s primary, real-time outreach and 

communication tool. As a Commandant-chartered 


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organization, the Council is extremely selective 

about the information posted to the website, 

carefully avoiding any suggestion of endorsement/ 

sponsorship of non-Service programs or products. 

Maintaining the website requires more than 1.5 

hours per day and signifi cant annual fi nancial 

expenditure. 

As social media became more common, the 

Council established a Facebook page in 2008, 

www.facebook.com/CgRetireeNw/ has allowed 

the Council more freedom than the website 

to communicate concepts and news without 

suggesting Coast Guard endorsement. It has also 

permitted retirees to comment or ask questions 

about Council posts and other matters. The 

Facebook page typically averages about 4,500 

visits per month, but it has had single days where 

topics of interest drew as many as 29,000 views. 

Like the website, maintaining the Facebook page, 

researching content, and keeping it current 

requires about 1.5 hours of effort daily. The Council 

has not yet chosen to have a presence on any of 

the other popular social media platforms. 

For many years, the Council had three VA 

accredited Volunteer Service Offi cers who took 

turns at Base Seattle advising retirees on the 

VA disability claims process and helping them 

prepare VA disability claims packages. Active 

duty members with retirement orders were also 

assisted. The success rate for acceptance of 

claims on fi rst submission under this program 

routinely exceeded 70%. Sadly, the Council was 

not able to continue the program as post 9-11 

security programs prevented access to computers 

on base and volunteers aged out. 

The Northwest Council has enjoyed constantly 

outstanding support from Base Seattle and its 

predecessors. During the time when the Council 

provided assistance with VA disability claims, 

Base Seattle provided office space, furniture 

and computers. The Base has hosted many 

retiree appreciation days onboard, and several 

at facilities in Portland and Port Angeles. It is 

common to have the Base Commanding Officer 

sharing actively in discussions at quarterly 

meetings. 

The Council presently meets four times each year, 

typically on the second Saturday in the months of 

January, April, July and September. It is constantly 

evolving to best meet the needs of retirees, in 

consonance with the interests and abilities of its 

membership. All are welcomed to the meetings 

and to participate in any Council activities to the full 

extent of their interest and energy. Membership is 

open to all with the interest to attend meetings and 

to support our service programs. Some members 

attend meetings telephonically from as far away 

as Spokane and Portland. The Council is always 

looking for new ideas on how to best support the 

retiree community, and for new members to bring 

them reality. If interested or you have questions, 

please contact Council Cochairs, Phil Johnson and 

Bert Kinghorn at CoChairs@cgretirenw.org. 


9

photo: U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class David Pepicelli (Released) 


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SUPPLIES FROM 

THE SKIES 

CDR James Willingham, HC-130 Hercules airplane 

pilot, fl ies into Pago Pago, American Samoa, April 1, 

2020. Working in concert with FEMA and the U.S. Air 

Force, logistics were coordinated to ensure the timely 

and successful delivery of various supplies including 

medical supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile to 

the Southern Pacifi c territory. 


11

Q&A with 

ADMIRAL 

KARL SCHULTZ 

26th Commandant of the 

United States Coast Guard 

Q: What are some specific events or elements of 

the Coast Guard’s response during COVID-19 

that demonstrate the Service’s importance to 

our Nation? 

A: We had three goals at the start of the pandemic: 

1. Keep our workforce healthy (work force 

preservation = mission readiness) 

2. Continue to “Stand the Watch,” rescuing 

mariners in distress and protecting the 

Homeland from all threats emanating from 

the sea (e.g. illicit narcotics, illegal migration, 

fisheries violations). 

3. Continue to facilitate maritime commerce across 

the Marine Transportation System (MTS) that 

generates $5.4T in annual economic activity 

while supporting more than 30 million jobs. 

We were able to succeed in all three of these areas: 

1. The procedures we put in place allowed us 

to have a very low COVID-19 rate. These 

procedures included isolating crews, restrictions 

on movement before deployments and training, 

and ensuring everyone was provided with both 

factual knowledge and guidance re: COVID-19, 

and outfitted with the appropriate PPE to perform 

their duties. 

2. During the ongoing pandemic, the Coast 

Guard has surged additional surface and 

aviation platforms, plus Deployable Specialized 

Forces (DSF) personnel, to the Eastern Pacific 

Ocean and Caribbean Basin as part of a White 

House announced surge against Transnational 

Criminal Organizations. The Coast Guard 

continues to partner with U.S. SOUTHERN 

Command and the U.S. Navy in the fi ght to 

stem the fl ow of illicit narcotics via maritime 

conveyance from the Andean Ridge Source 


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Zone through Central America and Mexico for 

further overland distribution to the United States. 

On Tuesday June 9th, National Security Cutter 

JAMES, moored adjacent to a United States 

Navy Arleigh Burke Destroyer (USS NITZE) in 

Sustaining the connective 

tissue between our current 

and former Coast Guard 

members is simply the 

“right thing to do.” 

Port Everglades Florida, off-loaded more than 

30,000 lbs of illicit drugs worth upwards of $400 

million dollars. The ongoing operation involves 

signifi cant partner nation contributions from 

Latin American countries such as: Colombia, 

Costa Rica, Panama and others. 

3. The Coast Guard has been able to keep 

the fl ow of goods moving across the Marine 

Transportation System (MTS), our 355 seaports 

and our 25,000 miles of navigable waterways. 

Roughly 90% of the commodities we purchase 

in American stores enter the country as 

containerized cargo through our seaports. 

The Coast Guard also maintains the Nation’s 

constellation of 40,000 plus Aids to Navigation, 

and vital mariner information systems that 

enable such commerce. While domestic cargo 

volumes refl ected fairly steep declines, as the 

Nation begins reconstituting, shipping volumes 

are back on the uptick. 

Q: What are some specific events or elements of 

the Coast Guard’s response during COVID-19 that 

demonstrate the Service’s importance to our Nation? 

A: As mentioned previously, the Coast Guard 

has been able to keep the Marine Transportation 


13

System operating safely and effectively. The Coast 

Guard managed a glut of oil tankers off the West 

Coast as energy companies decided it was more 

profi table to store the oil then bring it to market. 

The Coast Guard ensured that these tankers were 

securely anchored, patrolling for any security risks, 

and ensuring environmental compliance. 

Our Coast Guard Sector Commanders/Captains 

of the Port (COTP), working closely with the 

Center for Disease Control (CDC), State and Local 

Governments, and maritime industry partners, 

particularly the cruise line industry, facilitated the 

Once you are a member 

of the “World’s Best 

Coast Guard Team,” you 

are always a member. 

off-load of 250,000 passengers from more than 

120 cruise ships. These same Coast Guard units 

continue to work with these same stakeholders 

for dozen of cruise ships with only crew members 

onboard, operating in and around U.S. waters. 

Q: The new USCG retiree newsletter, The Long 

Blue Line, has been extremely well received by 

our retiree and annuitant community. Why do 

you feel it's important to remain connected to 

and supportive of the 55,000 plus members of 

this community? 

A: Once you are a member of the “World’s Best Coast 

Guard Team,” you are always a member. Sustaining 

the connective tissue between our current and former 

Coast Guard members is simply the “right thing to 

do.” The history and shared experiences members 

of our Service fi nd in the Coast Guard forge that 

special bond we develop together called “shipmate!” 

Shipmates have much in common and often much to 

continue to share and learn from one another. I like 

to think of the Coast Guard as an organization that 

values continuous learning! 


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15

Q: Your USCG National Retiree Council's #1 priority 

is to continue advocating for a reduction in the 

processing time of Audit Error Worksheets submitted 

to PPC Topeka, which has resulted in large delays in 

many CG retirees receiving Concurrent Retirement 

and Disability Pay. You launched an aggressive 

program to address this problem. Are you satisfied 

with the progress? 

A: Resolving the backlog of Concurrent Retirement 

Disability Pay for Coast Guard retirees has been 

a top priority for the Service, and the Coast Guard 

Personnel and Pay Center (PPC) Staff have made 

great strides to that effect. To honor the dedicated 

service of our retirees, we have surged staff and 

reviewed internal processes with the goal of 

eliminating the backlog by December 2020. I am 

pleased to report that we are on track to meet this 

goal. Our team has cleared more than 1,000 cases 

since January, leading to the $6.6M in retroactive 

payments. The goal is to eliminate the backlog 

and henceforth process future payments in a far 

more responsive manner. I assure you the team is 

working hard towards this goal. 

Q: As the Coast Guard celebrates 230 years of service 

to the United States, what historic highlights do you 

find most significant? 

A: That is a hard question because we have such 

a rich and diverse history, stemming back to the 

earliest years of our republic. Clearly Alexander 

Hamilton’s vision to forge a maritime service 

to help generate revenue in the wake of the 

Revolutionary War, achieved by petitioning our first 

President - George Washington, for appropriations 

to construct ten cutters and stand-up the Revenue 

Marine Service. 

I also believe Captain-Commandant Ellsworth 

Bertholf’s vision in 1915 to merge the U.S. Revenue 

Cutter Service (USRCS) and the United States Life- 

Saving Service (USLSS) into what was henceforth 

known as the United States Coast Guard, saved 

the Service from being disbanded and spread 

across the Navy and other federal agencies. 

Bertholf’s professional experiences leading to his 

selection as Captain-Commandant in 1915, were 

quite adventurous and diverse, including the 

1897-1898 Overland Relief Expedition, driving a 

herd of 382 native reindeer 1500 miles to rescue 


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17

265 whalers trapped aboard their ships in Arctic 

ice near Barrow Alaska. Then Second Lieutenant 

Bertholf was second in command of Revenue 

Cutter BEAR. Another famous Coast Guardsman, 

David Jarvis, was First Lieutenant and also part of 

the expedition. In 1902, Bertholf, Jarvis and others 

were awarded Congressional Gold Medals for their 

heroic actions. 

I would be remiss to not also highlight the actions 

of our Service in World War II, whether those Coast 

Guardsman participating in Operation Neptune, 

the naval assault phase of Operation Overlord, the 

Today, our Coast Guard is 

serving around the world 

making an impact and 

advancing our national 

interests. 

largest single combat operation the Coast Guard 

has ever taken part in. During the initial days of 

the liberation of Western Europe, the Coast Guard 

demonstrated its expertise, versatility and value in a 

number of ways, including combat operations; ship 

and small boat handling; loading and discharging 

cargo at sea and ashore; directing vessel traffi c; 

and search and rescue operations – in most cases 

under enemy fi re. And on D-Day, Coast Guardmanned 

landing craft carried troops to the beach. 

On the 75th anniversary of D-Day (6/6/2019), I 

had the privilege to be in Normandy, which was 

a tremendously impactful experience. There, I 

visited with our own GM3 Frank Devita, who was 

aboard one of those USCG landing craft making 

the earliest morning runs on D-Day. Frank made 

15 runs to the beach. His very personal and 

extraordinary story from D-Day can be found on 

my Facebook page. Frank was there for the 75th 

anniversary with 75 family members and friends. 

Two weeks ago I had the honor of chatting with 

Frank on his 95th birthday. Despite the ongoing 

health pandemic, 100 vehicles paraded by his 

house in celebration of his birthday – one was 

a Coast Guard truck pulling a Coast Guard 

smallboat. 

That same evening, aboard Barque EAGLE mored 

at Cherborg, France, then Secretary of the Navy – 

the Honorable Richard Spencer and I, announced 

the naming of a Flight III Arleigh Burke Guided 

Missile Destroyer after Coast Guard hero CAPT 

Quentin Walsh. His actions in Normandy in the 

days leading up to and after D-day are fascinating 

and I encourage you to explore same. The USS 

QUENTIN WALSH (DDG-132) is being built at Bath 

Ironworks Shipyard in Maine. 

I have also had the great fortune to engage with 

some remarkable historical women in our Service 

from the SPARS (the United States Coast Guard 

Women’s Reserve). One such incredible woman 

was Dr. Olivia J. Hooker, who following the creation 


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of the SPARS in 1942 by FDR, and the lifting of the 

ban on Black women becoming SPARS in October 

1944, entered into service in February 1945 with 

four other black women as the first class of Black 

SPARS. 

Dr. Hooker passed in November of 2018 at 103 

years of age, and I had the privilege of meeting 

with her in the weeks preceding her passing. She 

was truly a delightful person who lived through, and 

overcame great adversity, yet maintained the most 

positive outlook on life that I’ve encountered… I 

remember her final words from our meeting: “Love 

All, Trust Few, Do Right!” Beyond her time as a 

SPAR, where she rose to the rate of YN2, she 

became a psychologist, serving in a women’s 

prison, and also as a professor at Fordham 

University. 

Lastly, I would like to highlight our present globally 

engaged Coast Guard. Today, our Coast Guard is 

serving around the world making an impact and 

advancing our national interests. 

Q: After 230 years, how does the current Coast Guard 

continue to nimbly respond to the needs of the Country 

around national security, commerce and saving lives? 

A: Since Alexander Hamilton’s Letter of Instruction 

to revenue cutter captains, our strength has been 

in delegating trust and authority to our leaders. 

Senior leaders provide intent and guidance, but 

our on-scene commanders are empowered to 

make the best decisions based on the conditions 

at hand. This trust maximizes flexibility and initiative 

in any situation. 

Q: Could you provide your vision for the National 

Coast Guard Museum, and its importance on our CG 

community and the Nation? 

A: The Coast Guard has a remarkable story to 

tell. The National Coast Guard Museum will be 

absolutely pivotal in helping us tell that remarkable 

story to a much broader audience, starting with 

educational programs for the region’s youth. The 

Museum’s strategic location in New London also 

leverages our ties to a historic maritime community 

and its proximity to the Coast Guard Academy 

creates tremendous partnering activities for 

both organizations. I am truly excited about the 

Museum! 


19

CHAIN OF 

COMMAND 

Seaman Dax Vines lays chain out as other 

crewmembers scrape clean the red buoy 

aboard the Coast Guard cutter CYPRESS in 

the Gulf of Mexico. The CYPRESS operates 

primarily along 900 miles of the Gulf Coast, 

from Apalachicola, FL, to the Mexican border 

in Brownsville, TX, where she is responsible 

for the maintenance of 117 fl oating aids to 

navigation. 

photo: U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Giles (Released) 


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21

Profile: 

SERGEI I. 

SIKORSKY 

AT THE AGE OF 95, SERGEI SIKORSKY 

HAS AN AWE-INSPIRING LIFETIME OF 

STORIES TO TELL. In fact, he remembers 

visits to the Sikorsky home in Connecticut by the 

Lindbergh family, Colonel Jimmie Doolittle, Roscoe 

Turner, Eddie Rickenbacker, and many other 

aviation icons. Later in life, during his service in the 

Coast Guard, he recounts a Senate Armed Services 

Committee demonstration on the Pawtuxent River 

in Maryland at the Naval Test Center. I remember a 

discussion with one of the Senators, named Harry 

Truman. Eight months later, he would be President. 

Equipped with the most famous name in 

helicopters, Sergei Sikorsky forged his own path 

in the aviation industry. All photos provided by 

Sergei Sikorsky 

Growing up, he witnessed fi rsthand the strides 

made by his father, aviation pioneer Igor Sikorsky. 

The company garnered fame for its Sikorsky flying 

boats and "Clippers" for Pan American Airways 

among numerous customers. Sergei’s fi rst fl ight 

occurred when he was just eight years old, seated 

on his father's lap in the copilot's seat of a Sikorsky 

S-38 amphibian. 

“We took off from Stratford, CT,” Sikorsky recalls, 

“and we flew over Long Island Sound at an 

altitude of 2,000 feet. Flying was an unforgettable 

experience. I decided there and then I would do 

that. In due time, I made that same flight as a pilot.” 

By 1939, Igor Sikorsky was developing the 

prototype VS-300 helicopter and once again his 

son fl ew in the helicopter as a passenger, with his 

father at the controls. Three years later, at age 17, 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

Coast Guard aviation pioneers, CDR William 

Kossler and CDR Frank Erickson, visited the 

Sikorsky factory. Erickson asked if the young 

mechanic would like to come work with the Coast 

Guard when he was drafted. 

“I told him I wanted very much to join the Coast 

Guard. When I was eventually drafted, I applied 

for the Coast Guard and pointed out my previous 

mechanic experience with helicopters.” 

Basic training brought some surprises to the young 

son of industry. “I survived basic training or boot 

camp at Manhattan Beach,” Sikorsky remembers, 

“It was pretty rough for a fairly spoiled 18-year old 

to come against the realities of boot camp.” Like it 

was yesterday instead of decades ago, memories 

fl ood back of Seamen First Class and Boatswain 

Mates First Class who were making a name for 

themselves as “very tough drill instructors.” 

From 1943 to 1946, he served as a mechanic in a 

helicopter test and development squadron at Floyd 

Bennett Field in New York. There, he participated 

in the test and demonstration of the earliest 

helicopter rescue hoists, rescue baskets and 

litters. He fl ew in some of the earliest helicopter 

search and rescue missions near the end of World 

War II. 

“We received the first three HNS-1 helicopters with 

British markings.” The fi rst maintenance school at 

Floyd Bennett Field included Royal Navy and Royal 

Air Force mechanics. Sikorsky describes it as “a 

“The Coast Guard obviously has been one of the great pioneering forces 

in helicopters. Started under Frank Erickson and Stu Graham they proved 

the concept of the rescue hoist. The Coast Guard played a crucial role in 

the development of the helicopter and pioneered many of its uses.” 

Sergei joined the family business as an apprentice 

mechanic on the VS-300 team, which played a 

pivotal role in him joining the U.S. Coast Guard. 

“At the beginning of the United States entry into 

World War II following the attack on Pearl Harbor,” 

Sergei explains, “I was 18 months away from draft 

eligible age. After watching the fi rst Sikorsky 

helicopter being developed, I became a grease 

monkey on that aircraft.” 

goulash of American, British, Irish and Scotch guys 

aged 18-20 learning the mysteries of maintaining 

these new aircraft.” 

Coast Guard and aviation history are clearly his 

passion as displayed in this explanation of how the 

helicopter hoist came to be invented. 

“The hoist’s origins came from the China-Burma- 

India front. The U.S. Air Force was expanding 

airlift operations across the Himalayas into China. 


23


THE LONG BLUE LINE

The fi rst combat rescue involving a helicopter 

when four survivors of a medevac aircraft hid for 

three days in the Burmese jungle and the USAF 

pilot had to make four trips to bring each man to 

safety.” 

“Commander Frank Erickson had a vision. If that 

helicopter had a hoist, these men could have 

been lifted straight from the crash site. Erickson 

conceived and started verbally sketching a 

rescue hoist to two Chiefs, Oliver Berry and 

George "Red" Lubben. You could call them the 

two magicians who transformed his words into 

hardware. That was the birth of the rescue hoist.” 

Sikorsky was part of the team that worked on the 

next problem: a sling or boatswain’s chair in which 

survivors would be hoisted. A number of ideas were 

tried until late summer when the team cut a Stokes 

litter in half and added cork floats at the top of the 

chicken wire basket. It could float on the water or 

be lowered to land. Those were the beginnings of 

what would become daring rescues by Air Force 

and Coast Guard pilots in Vietnam. 

One of Sergei’s most memorable experiences during 

his service time was recently acknowledged with the 

Winged-S Sikorsky Rescue Award. Initiated in 1950, 

the Winged-S Rescue Award carries the spirit and 

vision of aviation pioneer Igor Sikorsky, and honors 

individuals who directly perform a lifesaving rescue 

flying a Sikorsky helicopter. 

In December 1945, the demobilization from World 

War II was underway, but as a junior member of 

the Coast Guard, single and with no family at the 

time, Sergei was lower in the points system used to 

determine who got to go home. He was still in the 

Service, a couple of days before Christmas Eve. 

Local police called Floyd Bennett Field. Three young 

brothers had gone duck hunting around Jamaica 

Bay in NY, near the station. 

In his own words, this is what happened next: 

“There were about a dozen small islands in the 

bay and these three boys were two days overdue 

to return from their duck hunt. We took a helicopter 

and I was the mechanic. After 15-20 minutes of 

searching island by island, we spotted a tiny, half 

destroyed tent and two little boys jumping up and 

down. 

We landed and I made my way through the 

tall grasses and cat o’ nine tails. It was rather 

Sergei Sikorsky stands with his father, Igor 

Sikorsky, a pioneer in both helicopters and 

fi xed-wing aircraft. 


25

Above: One of the first demonstrations of the 

helicopter rescue hoist. The hoist was developed 

at the Coast Guard Air Station, Floyd Bennett Field 

under the supervision of the station C.O. Commander 

Frank Erickson, U.S.C.G.The pilot is Commander 

Erickson;The “rescuee” being hoisted is AMM 2/c 

Sergei Sikorsky. 

Below: January 10, 1946, “Family Day” at the 

Sikorsky South Avenue factory in Bridgeport CT. 

Commander Frank Erickson, U.S.C.G. is the pilot. 

U.S.C.G. aviation mechanic Sergei Sikorsky being 

hoisted out of mobile test tower.Visible in background 

is prototype XR-5. 

unforgettable. I remember those two little kids 

wrapping their arms around my legs, relating 

what had happened. Their older brother had been 

killed instantly while cleaning his shotgun. It was 

a very messy scene as you might imagine. The 

two boys broke down, they had no campfire and 

were in bad, bad shape. We put the two kids into 

the co-pilot seat and I stayed behind on the island 

until the pilot could get them to safety and return 

to pick me up. 

“We learned later that they would not have survived 

another freezing night given their condition when 

we found them.” 

Sikorsky’s last demonstration of the rescue hoist 

came in February 1946, just two weeks before he 

was discharged. Commander Frank Erickson was 

at the controls as Sergei demonstrated the rescue 

basket at the Sikorsky Factory in Bridgeport as 

his father, Igor, looked on. He describes it as “an 

amazingly proud moment.” 

After the war, he studied at the University of 

Florence, Italy, then joined United Aircraft (now 

United Technologies) in 1951. His language skills 

(he speaks French, German, Italian, and Russian) 

led to a series of assignments in Europe and Asia. 

These included working with Mitsubishi in Japan 

during the start of license production of the S-55 

helicopter, introduction of the S-58 (H-34) into the 

German armed forces and the marketing of various 

civil and military helicopters across Europe, literally 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

from Iceland to pre-revolutionary Iran. He flew many 

American and European aircraft for business and 

pleasure, holding at one time or another, American, 

Italian, French, German and Swiss pilot's licenses. 

In 1975, Sergei returned to the Sikorsky Aircraft 

headquarters in Statford, CT, now a Lockheed 

Martin Company. He continued traveling around 

the world, visiting customers and operators of the 

company’s equipment. He retired from Sikorsky 

Aircraft, a Lockheed Martin company, as Vice 

President—Special Projects in 1992, but remains 

active as a consultant. 

My association with the CG 

was one of the highlights 

of my life. I’m grateful that 

I’ve been allowed to visit CG stations 

operating Sikorsky aircraft and look 

forward to a few more visits before I 

am rightly and fully retired. 

When asked about the significance of the Coast 

Guard use of Sikorsky helicopters among the 

numerous other purposes they’ve served, Sergei 

equates the relationship to a strong marriage. 

“The Coast Guard and Sikorsky have been married 

since 1943 ever since that helicopter evaluation 

squadron at Floyd Bennet Field. Sikorsky aircraft 

have served in the Coast Guard ever since. I look 

forward to many more years of our helicopters 

serving with the Coast Guard.” 

He also points to the Coast Guard’s role in 

innovation with regard to helicopters and life-saving 

hoists. “The Coast Guard obviously has been one of 

the great pioneering forces in helicopters. Started 

under Frank Erickson and Stu Graham they proved 

the concept of the rescue hoist. The Coast Guard 

played a crucial role in the development of the 

helicopter and pioneered many of its uses.” 

Finally, he notes the personal significance of the 

Service in his own life. “My association with the 

Coast Guard was one of the highlights of my life. 

I’m grateful that I’ve been allowed to visit Coast 

Guard stations operating Sikorsky aircraft and look 

forward to a few more visits before I am rightly and 

fully retired.” 

Sikorsky’s parent company, Lockheed 

Martin, has generously pledged $1 million 

to support the construction of the National 

Coast Guard Museum. The commitment 

for museum support is the largest to date 

from the defense industry and will sponsor 

the Saving Lives by Air Gallery. Lockheed 

Martin has an extraordinary history of 

supporting the armed services and 

recognizing their critical role to our Nation. 

“The National Coast Guard Museum will 

inspire young visitors to become our 

nation’s next problem solvers, innovators, 

and critical thinkers,” said Capt. Wes 

Pulver (USCG, Ret.), Museum Association 

President. “We appreciate the opportunity 

to partner with Lockheed Martin on this 

project that will bring to life the centuries of 

devotion and sacrifice by Coast Guard men 

and women, and highlight the innovation 

and technology that the Coast Guard 

has developed with industry partners like 

Lockheed Martin.” 


27


THE LONG BLUE LINE

THE DOG DAYS 

OF SUMMER 

Petty Officer 2nd Class Richard Barone, a 

maritime law enforcement specialist and 

K9 handler stationed at Coast Guard Maritime 

Safety and Security Team New York, poses for 

a photograph during a patrol in Battery Park in 

Manhattan. MSST New York members regularly 

conduct counter-terrorism patrols along waterfront 

areas in the New York City region. 

photo: U. S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Cory J. Mendenhall 


29


THE LONG BLUE LINE


31


THE LONG BLUE LINE

TO THE RETIREE COMMUNITY, 

This year marks the 48th anniversary of my enlistment 

in the U.S. Coast Guard. What’s significant about that 

and what it has to do with the subject of history, is how 

I was drawn into joining the Coast Guard after reading 

a recap of one of the greatest search and rescue 

missions in Coast Guard history, the rescue of the 

crew of the SS Pendleton off the coast of Cape Cod, 

Massachusetts in 1952. It just so happened that when 

I walked into the Coast Guard Recruiting Office (that’s 

another story for a future time), there was a framed unit 

commendation of the rescue hanging next to a print 

of a painting depicting a scene of the famed rescue. 

After reading the story, I excitedly whispered, “WOW!” 

The recruiter who happened to be on the phone at 

the time talking to an applicant, abruptly stopped 

his phone conversation, cupped his hand over the 

receiver, looked at me and said, “I guarantee you’ll 

get one of those within your first four years in the Coast 

Guard!” And the rest they say, “is history!” 

The point of my story is, it was a historical achievement 

that got my attention, interest and enthusiastic 

willingness to join the Coast Guard. Over the years 

since that day I walked into the recruiting office, I have 

become a big Coast Guard history fan, deep-diving 

into reading and researching more about our great 

service over the course of its 230 years of existence. 

There are hundreds, if not thousands of amazing 

stories about the Coast Guard capturing its multimission 

military service responsibilities. It is my opinion 

that the American public is missing out on a significant 

part of a small service which has made such a 

tremendous contribution 

to American history. This is 

why I am passionate about 

the building of our National 

Coast Guard Museum. 

Commandant of the Coast Guard, ADM Karl Schultz 

said, “Our Nation richly deserves a National Coast 

Guard Museum in which to honor the heritage of 

service of the United States Coast Guard men and 

women, and to inspire our next generation of problem 

solvers, innovators, and critical thinkers.” I also like 

to think that there’s another future Coastie out there 

who will experience an amazing “Wow Factor” like I 

did 48 years ago. 

The history, heritage and traditions of the U.S. 

Coast Guard are proudly portrayed in the legacy 

of our Service. The time is now to fully capture the 

visualization of our Coast Guard core values of 

Honor, Respect and Devotion to Duty for all to see 

and experience. Please join me in being a part of 

creating a living legacy to the U.S. Coast Guard. 

Please take a moment to become a Museum 

investor through our Plankowner Program. Easy to 

sign up, you can give as little as $5 per month or 

more, and it’s tax deductible! Go to our website, 

www.coastguardmuseum.org/plankowner 

to help us build the National Coast Guard Museum. 

Semper Paratus! 

Vincent W. Patton, Ed.D., 

MCPOCG, USCG (Ret.) 

Board Member and Chief 

of the Mess, National Coast 

Guard Museum 


33

The National Coast Guard 

Museum Association takes 

you inside the exhibits: 

SAFETY DECK 

THE REMARKABLE 230-YEAR HISTORY OF 

THE COAST GUARD will be demonstrated 

to National Coast Guard Museum visitors on 

three decks: Security, Safety, and Stewardship. 

The 11 statutory mission of the Service have been 

crystallized into five themed storylines: Defenders of 

our Nation, Enforcers on the Seas, Lifesavers around 

the Globe, and Protectors of the Environment, and 

Champions of Commerce. 

In the spring issue of the Long Blue Line, we 

introduced the J.D. Power III Stewardship Deck. 

The Safety Deck comprises an overview of the Coast 

Guard and the Lifesavers around the Globe Wing. 

Stepping onto the Safety Deck, visitors enter 

the Coast Guard Overview Gallery, a circular 

space that poses the question: “Who is the Coast 

Guard?” In answer, visitors walk among a diverse 

set of cast figures of Coast Guard men and women 

representing various eras and specialties, providing 

a sense of both immediacy and connection. An 

interactive map visually reinforces that the Coast 

Guard’s territory is all across the country – and the 

world. A layered timeline of the longest continuous 

seagoing service in the United States uses objects, 

graphics, and media to tell the chronological story 

of the Coast Guard and its predecessor services. 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

LIFESAVERS AROUND 

THE GLOBE WING 

The Lifesavers around the Globe Wing introduces visitors to the 

most fundamental responsibility of the Coast Guard: to protect 

the lives and safety of our citizens. During daily operations 

and in times of crisis, heroic teams work together to save 

lives on land, sea, and air. 

The galleries within this wing highlight the innovative 

technologies and teamwork required to search the 

seas for vessels in distress and perform rescues by 

air. A series of scenic installations anchor stories of 

boat rescue, lifesaving technology, search and rescue 

operations, mass rescue, and humanitarian relief efforts, 

including the Coast Guard’s unprecedented response 

in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. 

At the Coast Guard Station: Coast Guard search and 

rescue operations depend on command centers, multimission 

stations with assets like boats and aircraft, all linked 

together by communications systems. When a distress call 

comes in, the network gets to work. Information flows from the 

Sector Command Center to the Coast Guard stations nearest the 

incident. Boat crews or air crews are ready to respond within 30 

minutes of receiving the call. 

Evolution of Boat Rescue Gallery: The development of motorized 

lifeboats was a milestone in Coast Guard search and rescue. Motorpowered 

boats changed Coast Guard search and rescue forever. 

Boat crews used to bravely row out to a rescue scene. Now they 

had the power of a motor behind them. They could go farther and 

faster than ever before, in the service of others. 

Fixed Wing Aircraft Gallery: The Coast Guard operates over 200 

aircraft – airplanes and helicopters – to support its work as a law 

enforcement arm, a military service branch, and a seafaring service. 

Nearly all Coast Guard aircraft have some role in homeland security 

operations. Fixed-wing aircraft, such as the HC 130 Hercules, are 

built for long range missions and operate from air stations. The 

Coast Guard operates its aviation fleet on the principle that it cannot 

afford a fleet of aircraft intended solely for specialized missions, 

and has concentrated on aircraft that can carry out a wide range 

of diversified missions. 

Helicopters and Hoists Gallery: CDR William 

Kossler and LCDR Frank Erickson were true 

Coast Guard innovators who envisioned the 

potential of new helicopter technology in search 

and rescue. Visitors learn about the history of 

the helicopter hoist through graphics and an 

artifact on display. 

Hurricane Katrina Immersive Gallery: In 

response to Hurricane Katrina, the Coast Guard 

responded with unprecedented resourcefulness 


35

and adaptability during the largest search and 

rescue mission in American history. Actual 

operations began well before the hurricane left 

the region. During the operation, over 5,000 Coast 

Guard personnel worked around the clock, halting 

traffic on nearby rivers and ports, operating over 

40 aircraft out of the Aviation Training Center in 

Mobile, AL, and rescuing over 30,000 people. 

President George W. Bush awarded the Coast 

Guard with a Presidential Unit Citation for its 

fearless response. 

Lifesaving Innovation and Technology Gallery: 

Coast Guard members have used and adapted 

tools and technology in innovative ways to find 

people and vessels in distress during search 

and rescue operations. When Coast Guard crews 

perform search and rescue we find people in 

distress fast. Every second counts during a storm, 

shipwreck or disaster. Over time we’ve innovated 

new tools and technologies to locate survivors and 

bring them back to shore safely. 

Mass Rescue Operations Gallery: Severe storms, 

floods and natural disasters can destroy houses 

and whole neighborhoods. Streets flood. Power 

lines go down. It’s at these times that Coast Guard 

rescuers step up to the challenge. They coordinate 

with other responders. They adapt to changing 

conditions. They fearlessly face all obstacles. 

Modern Life Boats Gallery: From the early days 

of the Lifesaving Service, life boats have been an 

essential tool to complete the mission. Today’s 

Coast Guard vessels are better equipped than 

ever to enable SAR crews to locate and rescue 

distressed mariners. The Coast Guard’s 47-foot 

motor life boat is primarily designed as a fastresponse 

rescue vessel in high seas, surf, and 

heavy weather environments. But the unique 

feature of this boat is that it can selfright in only 30 

seconds if knocked over by waves or surf. 

Saving Lives by Air Gallery: Planes and helicopters 

have become some of the most important assets 

in Coast Guard search and rescue allowing 

responders to quickly reach the scene. Air crews fly 

in the most challenging conditions, often when there 

is no other way of reaching survivors. They rescue 

hikers stranded on cliffs; fly through hurricane-force 

winds; pluck people from roaring waves; and save 

lives all over the world. 


THE LONG BLUE LINE


37

KEEL 

LAID FOR 

OFFSHORE 

PATROL 

CUTTER 

ARGUS 

Image render: 

Eastern 

Shipbuilding Group 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

THE COAST GUARD AND EASTERN 

SHIPBUILDING GROUP AUTHENTICATED 

THE KEEL for the first Offshore Patrol Cutter 

ARGUS, in Panama City, Florida, April 28. 

The keel authentication, a time-honored tradition 

in shipbuilding, was conducted by Joey D’Isernia, 

President of Eastern Shipbuilding, and Captain 

Andrew Meverden, Commanding Officer of Coast 

Guard Project Resident Office Panama City. 

“We are here today to celebrate and memorialize 

the keel laying of the cutter ARGUS,” said D’Isernia, 

“the first in a new class of cutters for the U.S. Coast 

Guard. Keel authentication is the beginning of a 

ship’s life, laying the foundation for construction of 

the rest of the vessel.” 

Bradley Remick, a welder with Eastern, used a 

welding torch to apply the initials of the sponsor, 

retired U.S. Coast Guard Captain Beverly Kelley, 

to the ceremonial plate, which declares the keel of 

Argus to be “truly and fairly laid.” 

Captain Kelley shared, “I am honored and humbled 

to have been selected to sponsor the new Coast 

Guard Cutter ARGUS, the first vessel of the Heritage 

Class fleet of Offshore Patrol Cutters.” 

A pioneer in her own right (see sidebar), Kelley 

continued, “As someone who knows it’s not easy 

being a first, I am pleased to be participating in this, 

the first milestone of the ship. I already do feel a 

connection to the ARGUS as it will be replacing two 

of the cutters that I served on during my cutterman 

career.” She then pledged her support of the future 

crew members of the vessel. 

Admiral Karl Schultz, Commandant of the Coast 

Guard, emphasized the importance of the Offshore 

Patrol Cutter program, “OPC will secure and defend 

the U.S. maritime approaches. It will deploy for the 

geographic combatant commanders across the 

globe. The Offshore Patrol Cutter fleet will constitute 

70% of our major cutter fleet, richly complementing 

our National Security and Fast Response Cutters as 

they combat transnational criminal organizations, as 

they respond in times of crisis and as they secure 

the global Maritime Commons.” 


39

Image render: 

Eastern 

Shipbuilding Group 

The first OPC is named for the Revenue Cutter 

ARGUS, which was one of the first 10 ships 

assigned to the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service, a 

predecessor service to the Coast Guard. Revenue 

Cutter Argus began 13 years of service to the newly 

formed United States of America in 1791 when it 

was commissioned in New London, CT. Of the 10 

original cutters assigned to the Revenue Cutter 

Service, ARGUS spent the longest time in service. 

Delivery of ARGUS is scheduled for 2022. The 

Coast Guard ordered construction of the second 

OPC and acquisition of long lead-time material for 

the third OPC April 2. Delivery of the second OPC, 

to be named CHASE, is scheduled to occur in 2023. 

“This is truly a milestone event,” Schultz continued, 

“I commend the resiliency and professionalism of 

our Service and our shipbuilding colleagues at 

Eastern Shipbuilding during this challenging time 

confronting our Nation. 

The OPC acquisition program meets the Service’s 

long-term need for cutters capable of deploying 

independently or as part of task groups and is 

essential to stopping smugglers at sea, interdicting 

undocumented migrants, rescuing mariners, 

enforcing fisheries laws, responding to disasters 

and protecting ports. The acquisition of 25 OPCs 

will complement the capabilities of the Service’s 

National Security Cutters, Fast Response Cutters 

and Polar Security Cutters as an essential element 

of the Department of Homeland Security’s layered 

security strategy. 

Coast Guard Pioneer, 

Captain Beverly Kelley 

Beverly Kelley received her commission as an 

Ensign after graduating from Officer Candidate 

School in 1976. In April 1979, LTJG Beverly 

Kelley became the first woman to command a 

U.S. military vessel, the Coast Guard Cutter CAPE 

NEWHAGEN. Two years earlier, the Coast Guard 

experimented with assigning women to seagoing 

ships. The high-endurance Coast Guard 

cutters MORGENTHAU and GALLATIN received 

10 enlisted women and two female officers each. 

Kelley was one of those officers. 

During her distinguished career, Kelley also served 

as commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutters 

NORTHLAND in 1996 and BOUTWELL in 2000, 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

A video highlighting remarks from Schultz, Kelley, 

and D’Isernia is available at www.dvidshub.net/ 

video/751009/coast-guard-cutter-argus-keellaying-ceremony. 

also making her the first woman to command a 

medium endurance cutter and high endurance 

cutter. At the time, she said, ““I’ve punched all the 

tickets that my male counterparts would have to, 

to be the commanding officer.” Kelley retired from 

military service in 2006. 

In her remarks about the new cutter ARGUS, Kelley 

said, “I know the cutter fleet is the foundation or 

the keel of all the Coast Guard does in service to 

our Nation.” 


41

U.S. COAST GUARD RETIREE INFORMATION RETIREMENTS 

RETIREMENTS 

AARONSON, JUSTIN 

ABERNATHY, ANDREW 

ADCOCK, AUSTIN 

ALDERS, AVA 

ALVES, DEREK 

ALVIS, MICAH 

AMAN, JONATHAN 

ANDERSON, DAVID 

ANDERSON, KEITH 

BABST, GREGORY 

BAEZ, RENE 

BANKS, DONALD 

BARCINAS, JOEL 

BARIRA, PAUL 

BARNES, GREGORY 

BARTON, SCOTT 

BEARDEN, CHRISTOPHER 

BEARDSLEY, ELLEN 

BELL, JEREMY 

BERNDT, ERIK 

BINGHAM, JUNE 

BLACKKETTER, DAVID 

BLAKE, ROLAND 

BLAKE, MICHAEL 

BLOUNT, EMMETT 

BOURCET, JOHN 

BOWEN, SCOTT 

BOWEN, GARY 

BOWEN, DESTRY 

BRADY, JOHN 

BRAY, JUSTIN 

BRENNELL, STEPHANIE 

BREWER, CRYSTAL 

BRITTON, KELLI 

USCG 

BROTHERS, ANNA 

LT 

EM1 

CDR 

SN 

DCC 

GM2 

AETC 

BM2 

SN 

BOSN3 

CDR 

BM3 

EM1 

AMT1 

FS3 

LCDR 

BMC 

FSC 

LCDR 

LT 

F&S3 

BMCM 

LTJG 

OSC 

HSC 

LCDR 

F&S3 

CAPT 

BMC 

CDR 

AMT1 

LCDR 

YNC 

CS1 

HSC 

05-01-2020 



































BROWN, CHRISTOPHER 

BROWN, JUSTIN 

BUCALA, MATTHEW 

BUCY, RANDALL 

BUNCH, BRANDON 

CAMPBELL, LEVI 

CANNATELLI, GREGORY 

CAPELOTTI, PETER 

CARPENTER, SHANE 

CARR, KEVIN 

CARTER, JOHNNY 

CASAD, SCOTT 

CASAS, ERNESTO 

CHAMBERS, JEREMY 

CHESTER, DONALD 

CHESTER, RONALD 

CHRISTENSEN, NATHAN 

CHRISTENSON, BRETT 

CLARK, WAYLON 

CLAY, BRIAN 

CLEARY, JOSEPH 

CLENDANIEL, AARON 

CLIFFORD, DAVID 

COLON, JOSE 

CONNORS, KEVIN 

COOK, TRAVIS 

COPPA, ANDREW 

CORNWELL, PHILIP 

COSTINETT, BROOKLYN 

COYLE, ROBERT 

CURRY, STEVEN 

DANIELS, VERA 

DAVIDSON, CHRISTINA 

DAVIS, STEPHEN 

DAWKINS, JEREMY 

BOSN4 

MST1 

ENG4 

MLES4 

GM1 

OSC 

ENG4 

PACM 

BM1 

BM2 

LCDR 

CDR 

MK1 

SK2 

PERS4 

YNCM 

MSTC 

ME1 

EM1 

AMT3 

CSC 

OSC 

LT 

AET1 

BMC 

BMCM 

BOSN3 

AMT1 

IT3 

ELC4 

MECS 

YN1 

CAPT 

AMTCM 

OS1 





































THE LONG BLUE LINE

DELIZ, LUIS 

DEVEAU, GLEN 

DILISIO, RALPH 

DILL, MATTHEW 

DOLAN, BRENDAN 

DONOVAN, JOSEPH 

DOYLE, THOMAS 

DRUSKIS, JILL 

DRZEWIECKI, JEFFERY 

DUARTE, NELSON 

DUPEPE, DANNY 

DWYER, JASON 

DYER, ALFRED 

ECKEL, BERNARD 

EDWARDS, SAMUEL 

ELG, CHRISTOPHER 

EMRICH, JAMES 

EYSTAD, HEIDI 

FAIR, WARREN 

FARNHAM, SEAN 

FAW, CRAIG 

FEID, GEORGE 

FIDDES, CHRISTOPHER 

FISHER, FRANK 

FOSS, ZACHARY 

FOY, BRANDON 

FREED, SULLIVAN 

FRITH, STEVEN 

GARLOW, CASEY 

GATZ, JAMES 

GAUTHIER, MICHEAL 

GENTRY, GRAHAM 

GERNAAT, ERIC 

GIBSON, GEOFFREY 

GIBSON, ERICA 

GILSON, ERIN 

GIVEN, AARON 

GLANVILLE, BENJAMIN 

GOMEL, GREGORY 

GOODBODY, BRIAN 

GRADOWSKI, PETER 

GREEN, JONATHAN 

GREENLEE, JIMMY 

GRIFFIN, RYAN 

GROVES, JUSTIN 

HAGERTY, NATHAN 

HAHN, JASON 

HARDISON, HEATH 

HARGRAVE, DAVID 

HARRIS, TODD 

HART, JACOB 

AMT1 

LCDR 

ME1 

EM1 

MSSD4 

EMC 

OS1 

LCDR 

LCDR 

MEC 

ENG3 

BMCS 

MK2 

DC1 

CDR 

IVC 

LT 

F&S4 

LT 

FN 

MKC 

LCDR 

MKC 

MEC 

MK3 

LT 

LCDR 

INV4 

BM1 

LCDR 

BM1 

SK2 

MK2 

OS2 

OS2 

LCDR 

BMC 

ISS4 

LCDR 

MSSD2 

ME1 

MK1 

BOSN4 

CAPT 

ETC 

AETCS 

MK1 

OS2 

DCC 

EMC 

CS2 




















































HATLEY, JEREMY 

HAUSER, JACOB 

HENDRICKSON, ROBERT 

HERNANDEZ, RENIER 

HILL, TYLER 

HOWARD, FRANK 

HUDAK, CHRISTOPHER 

HUNT, SADIE 

HUNTZINGER, PAUL 

HURLEY, WILLIAM 

ISRAEL, BENJAMIN 

JENKINS, RANDY 

JOHNSTON, JASON 

JONES, JOHN 

JORDAN, JESSE 

JORDAN, JACOB 

KANE, LALACIA 

KENDRICK, ANDREW 

KESSLER, DAVID 

KINSEY, FRANCIS 

KNUTSON, DARRIN 

KOWITZ, CHRISTOPHER 

KRAFT, DERRICK 

KRESS, VIRGINIA 

KULIG, ANDREW 

LAGARCE, KRYSTAL 

LAGO, PHILLIP 

LAMPINEN, LEO 

LANG, KEVIN 

LAYMAN, RICHARD 

LEACH, JOHN 

LEBER, LYLE 

LEDOUX, MICHAEL 

LESHNOVER, JUNE 

LESTER, JAMES 

LETOURNEAU, JENNIFER 

LEWIS, CONRAD 

LOEB, JEREMY 

LOGAN, TIMOTHY 

LONGTON, JAMES 

LOPEZ, ROBERTO 

LORE, ANTHONY 

LUNDAHL, DAVID 

LUTZ, ADAM 

MANNING, KRISTIN 

MARGELOT, MATTHEW 

MARSHALL, PATRICK 

MARTHERS, JONATHAN 

MARTIN, MICHAEL 

MARTIN, WAYNE 

MARTIN, BRICE 

BM2 

LT 

CAPT 

INV4 

YN1 

EM1 

BM1 

YN1 

CAPT 

ENG4 

CS1 

CDR 

MEC 

IT2 

OSC 

MSSE2 

OS1 

PA1 

LCDR 

BMC 

AMTC 

SKC 

DCC 

EM2 

BM1 

YN1 

BM1 

MST1 

LCDR 

MST1 

CDR 

BM2 

DCCM 

LCDR 

MST1 

SK1 

DC2 

LCDR 

ELC3 

ENG4 

LT 

SKC 

CAPT 

BM1 

OSCS 

INV3 

LCDR 

BM2 

MKCS 

SK2 

ISCM 




10-01-2019 

















































RETIREMENTS 


43


MATHEWS, KYLIE 

MATTHEWS, ANDREW 

MATTHEWS, MARCAL 

MAZYCK, SEKOU 

MCCARRICK, BRIAN 

MCCORMICK, MARK 

MCKINLEY, ANDREW 

MCKINNON, RENEE 

MCLOUGHLIN, RICHARD 

MELDRUM, JOHN 

MELENDEZGARCIA, EDGARDO 

MENDEZ, JOSE 

METZ, MATTHEW 

MONREAU, ALLEN 

MOORE, CHAD 

MORGAN, JUSTIN 

MORGAN, JAMES 

MORK, SHANE 

MORRISON, JARED 

MUNOZ, MICHAEL 

NAMOWITZ, JOSHUA 

NEARY, TIMOTHY 

NEGRON, FELIX 

NGUYEN, HUY 

NIPP, HOLLY 

NORTH, WAYNE 

OLIVE, KRISTOPHER 

OSBORN, THOMAS 

OSTROWSKI, JON 

OWENS, MARK 

OWENS, BRINTON 

PACKER, CEDRIC 

PAGANO, ELIZABETH 

PALMER, BRYAN 

MK3 

BOSN4 

SKC 

ET3 

BM1 

FS1 

RADM 

LCDR 

CAPT 

CS1 

AMT1 

SK2 

MKC 

YNCM 

LCDR 

ITCS 

HSC 

AMT2 

AMTC 

OS1 

BM1 

INV2 

CS2 

LT 

PERS2 

MECM 

AMT2 

LCDR 

BMCS 

BM1 

MKCS 

AET1 

SN 

CS3 



































PEREZ, OSVALDO 

PERSINGER, SEAN 

PETERS, JOHN 

PIERNO, MICHAEL 

PIERRE, KEITH 

PILAT, ALEXANDER 

PITT, KENDRA 

POLK, CAMRON 

POPE, DALE 

POWELL, TONI 

PRESTON, BRIAN 

PRUETT, JAMES 

RAMOS, RAFAEL 

RATTO, JASON 

REED, WAYNE 

REIGEL, JEFFREY 

REILLY, GREGORY 

RENKES, JAMES 

RIFKIN, DONALD 

ROBINSON, FOSTER 

ROBINSON, BARTON 

RADGOWSKI, JEFFREY 

RODRIGUEZ, MIGUEL 

ROGGY, CHRISTOPHER 

ROJAS, JAVIER 

ROMAN, WILLIAM 

RONDESTVEDT, HARALD 

ROSE, JOHN 

ROWE, ETHAN 

RUTLEDGE, JASON 

SACCOCCIO, BRANDON 

SAMBOR, BRIAN 

SANCHEZ-TAYLOR, MIGUEL 

SAUERBIERAUCOURT, LAURA 

ME1 

AMTC 

BMC 

LCDR 

CDR 

ET2 

PERS4 

HS3 

ENG3 

YN1 

ME1 

CAPT 

YN2 

MK2 

LCDR 

ET1 

CDR 

INV4 

PSS3 

MST1 

CDR 

CAPT 

MKC 

MK1 

MLES2 

BM3 

EMC 

HS1 

MK2 

ME1 

BM2 

BMC 

BM1 

OS1 




































THE LONG BLUE LINE

SAYERS, FRED 

SCASNY, VANESSA 

SCHNEIDER, THOMAS 

SCHOEN, ROBERT 

SCHULZE, KURT 

SCHWAB, PATRICK 

SCHWARTZ, TODD 

SCOTT, GARY 

SCOTT, CHRISTOPHER 

SEAY, CHRISTIAN 

SHARMAN, JOSHUA 

SHIELDS, RANDALL 

SHREAVES, BRYAN 

SHUEY, WILLIAM 

SILVA, CALE 

SIMONDS, DAVID 

SIMPSON, WILLIAM 

SINCLAIR, RYAN 

SKODA, RONALD 

SMALL, JAMES 

SMITH, HILARY 

SNELLER, JERROD 

SOLIS, ANNA 

SORRENTINO, MICHAEL 

SOTO, ILVIN 

SPRUILL, LARRY 

STEINHOUSE, MAUREEN 

STICKLEY, RICHARD 

STONE, RICHARD 

SURY, MICHAEL 

TAMBURELLO, KRISTOPHER 

THOMPSON, DOUGLAS 

THOMPSON, DANIEL 

TILLMAN, BENJAMIN 

TIMOTHY, JEREMY 

TOWNSEND, MICHAEL 

TRAMMELL, JONATHAN 

TRAVIS, RYAN 

TROTTER, SCOTT 

TRUMANN, DANA 

TULL, COREY 

TURNER, RALPH 

VANHOOSE, BRADLEY 

VANMERKESTEYN, GREGORY 

VILARDI, FRANK 

VONSTOCKHAUSEN, ERIK 

VORHOLT, MICHAEL 

WAGNER, RANDALL 

WALTER, JASON 

WATTS, GUY 

WEST, SCOTT 

MST1 

MK3 

EMC 

CDR 

MK1 

OSC 

ET1 

LCDR 

HSC 

BMC 

OSCS 

BM2 

BM1 

OS1 

BM1 

MST1 

PS1 

MSSE4 

OS1 

CDR 

LCDR 

OSC 

FS1 

AMT1 

ENG3 

ISS3 

CAPT 

CDR 

BM1 

GMC 

LT 

MK1 

IT1 

ME3 

BM1 

EMC 

AMTC 

AMTC 

INV4 

OSC 

ME2 

ME1 

BMC 

ITC 

AST2 

MKC 

MSSE3 

MSTCS 

BM2 

MECS 

AVI4 




















































WHITE, MICHAEL 

WILLIAMS, WILLIAM 

WILLIAMS, BRIAN 

WINN, JOSHUA 

WINSTEAD, ANTHONY 

WOLOWICE, KYLE 

WOOD, TIMOTHY 

WOOLDRIDGE, KEITH 

WRIGHT, ANDREW 

YATES, STEVIE 

YUTIG, JESUS 

ZORNMAN, BRANDT 

BM2 

AVI3 

MK1 

BMC 

BOSN4 

BM1 

IVCS 

LCDR 

LCDR 

MKC 

SKC 

BM1 














RETIREMENTS 


45


USPHS 

AIRD, MARCOS 

ANTHONY, MICHAEL 

ATKINS, STACEY 

AXELROD, CORINNE 

BAH, ABUBAKAR 

BALINTONA, JOHN 

BARFIELD, WANDA 

BARTOLINI, NANCY 

BELTRAMI, ELISE 

BERARDINELLI, STEPHEN 

BLAY, ROY 

BLUE, CHARLES 

BOOT, ELIZABETH 

BRADLEY, THEODORA 

BRANCHE, ROBERT 

CABANAS, ROBERT 

CHACON, EIGINIA 

CHUNG, JAY 

CLIFT, GREGORY 

CONSTANTINE, AMY 

COOK, KEITH 

COOKSON, SUSAN 

DAGADU, BENOIT 

DEFRANCE, RONALD 

DENZER, LISA 

DOMINGO, DEMETRIO 

FAJARDO, CHERYL 

FAVA, WALTER 

FERREBEE, ANTHONY 

FILIOS, MARGARET 

FORMAN, MICHAEL 

GIBBONS, KERIMA 

GIBSON, JAMES 

GLINES, NICOLE 

GORDON, VERONICA 

HARKEY, ROBERT 

HELGESON, SCOTT 

HENRY, JOSEPH 

HIBBELN, JOSEPH 

LCDR 

LCDR 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CDR 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CDR 

CAPT 

CDR 

LCDR 

CAPT 

CAPT 

LCDR 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CDR 

CAPT 

CDR 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CDR 

CDR 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 








































HU, DALE 

HUNTZINGER, PAUL 

HUSBERG, BRADLEY 

IKEDA, ROBIN 

JACKSON, LEE 

JONES-WILLS, EUNICE 

KALLEN, ALEXANDER 

KILMAN, KAREN 

KIRKLAND, CAROL 

LAFROMBOISE, SANDY 

LEE, SCOTT 

LOPEZ, VICKIE 

LUNDAHL, DAVID 

LYGHT, GEORGE 

MAINZER, HUGH 

MAJUS, GEORGE 

MALAVE, CLARITSA 

MASTERS, JOHN 

MATTILA, JANE 

MCKEOWN, CAROLYN 

MCKERNAN, LAURALYNN 

MEADE, GLENNA 

MIDDLETON-WILLIAMS, STEPHANIE 

MILLER, STEVEN 

MOHR, JACK 

NAMTVEDT, CHERYL 

NEMETH, DANA 

NEWMAN, JEFFREY 

OCONNOR-MORAN, KATHLEEN 

OLEARY, DANIEL 

PENG, HSIAO 

PERDUE-GREENFIELD, KATHY 

PHILPOTT, CAROLINE 

POND, DIANE 

POST, LYNN 

PRATT, ROBERT 

PURUCKER, MARY 

REDD, STEPHEN 

RENNARD, CRAIG 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

RADM 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CDR 

LCDR 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

LCDR 

CDR 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CDR 

CDR 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CDR 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

RADM 

LCDR 









































THE LONG BLUE LINE

RIVERA, CARLOS 

ROGERS, HEIDI 

ROSSI-COAJOU, MARY 

ROWE, ALEXANDER 

SANCHEZ, ANGELA 

SCOTT, MATTHEW 

SHULER, GLORIA 

SIEGEL, PAUL 

SILVER, ROSS 

SIMMONS, DORLYNN 

SIMMONS, TANYA 

SINGER, DARRELL 

TONNING, JOSEPH 

TOY, PHILLIP 

TRACY, LAREE 

TREBUS, DANIEL 

CAPT 

CDR 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CDR 

CDR 

LCDR 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

LCDR 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CDR 

CAPT 

















VANBENEDEN, CHRIS 

WACHA, STEVEN 

WARREN, TODD 

WEINBURKE, MATTHEW 

WELCH, MICHAEL 

WESKAMP, DOMINIC 

WEST, CANDICE 

WHISTON, BARBARA 

WILLIAMS, CHRISTINA 

WILLIAMS, FRANCES 

WILSON, VALARIE 

WOLFE, MITCHELL 

WROBLEWSKI, EDWARD 

YEH, ALEXANDER 

YUAN, ELIZABETH 

ZINDERMAN, CRAIG 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CDR 

CAPT 

CAPT 

LCDR 

CDR 

CDR 

LCDR 

CDR 

CAPT 

LCDR 

LCDR 

CDR 

CAPT 

















RETIREMENTS 

NOAA 

KIDDER, RYAN 

KRETOVIC, ELIZABETH 

NEUHAUS, JONATHAN 

CDR 

CAPT 

CDR 




ROBERTS, KEITH 

TAYLOR, JONATHAN 

CAPT 

LCDR 



COAST GUARD TRANSITION ASSISTANCE 

PROGRAM (TAP) 

TAP prepares Service Members separating or retiring from the Coast Guard for their transition to 

civilian life. All eligible SMs are required to complete the standardized components of the TAP. 

These components are 1) Pre-separation Counseling and 2) the Transition Seminar, encompassing 

the Transition Goals, Plans, and Success (GPS) core curriculum. 

dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Human-Resources-CG-1/Health- 

Safety-and-Work-Life-CG-11/Office-of-Work-Life-CG-111/Transition-Assistance-Program/ 

TRYING TO CONNECT WITH 

A FELLOW USCG, USPHS, OR 

NOAA RETIREE? 

If you need help connecting with a USCG, 

USPHS, or NOAA retiree, you may provide 

the individual’s name (and rank/paygrade if 

known), along with your contact information to: 

Robert Hinds, CG Retiree Services 

e-mail: Robert.C.Hinds@uscg.mil 

phone: 202-475-5451 

(An attempt to contact the individual and provide your 

contact information will be made by email) 



47

photo: U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Richard Brahm 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

JUST A 

QUICK NOTE 

U.S. Coast Guard Master Chief Jonathan 

Towne, the drum major in the Coast Guard 

Band, poses for a photo while wearing his 

ceremonial bearskin hat. 


49

TAPS 

TAPS 

DEPENDENT TAPS: To place a Dependent TAPS notice in The Retiree Newsletter, provide the dependent’s 

name, relationship to retiree, date of passing, and city/state to Robert Hinds at: Robert.C.Hinds@uscg.mil or 

phone: 202-475-5451. 

A current Coast Guard Master Decedent Affairs Officer (DAO) & Military Funeral Honors (MFH) Coordinator 

Roster is accessible at: dcms.uscg.mil/Portals/10/CG-1/retiree/docs/DAO_%20MFH_Master_Roster_. 

xlsx?ver=2018-09-07-140443-903. 

CG MFH Guidance is accessible at: dcms.uscg.mil/Portals/10/CG-1/psc/psd/docs/Military%20Funeral%20 

Honors%20Guidance.pdf?ver=2017-03-24-102439-577. 

If you need additional assistance on Casualty & Decedent affairs matters, you may contact Mr. Brian Behlke, CG 

Casualty Matters Chief, at Brian.R.Behlke@uscg.mil , or by phone at: 202-795-6637 (office) or 571-266-2375 

(24x7 work cell). 


USCG 

AHART, TERRY 

MENIFEE, CA 

ALVORD, GRAHAM 

WOODCREEK, TX 

ANDRZEJCZAK, JOSEPH 

NAALEHU, HI 

ANGLIN, JOHN 

SURPRISE, AZ 

ANONUEVO, JUANITO 

CHESAPEAKE, VA 

ARCEGA, VIRGILIO 

STATEN ISLAND, NY 

AROMIN, FEDERICO 

SEMMES, AL 

ATKINSON, JAMES 

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA 

BAECHLER, MARTIN 

LOUISVILLE, KY 

FS3 

CDR 

FSC 

CWO4 

FS1 

FSC 

CWO4 

CAPT 

CWO3 










BARBER, CHARLES 

VALLEY CENTER, CA 

BARR, ROBERT 

ST PETERSBURG, FL 

BEASLEY, ELBERT 

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 

BEATTY, JACK 

ORLANDO, FL 

BELLAR, LEE 

DEWEY, AZ 

BIZZOZERO, ERNEST 

CARMEL, CA 

BOLSTAD, PHILLIP 

PRESCOTT, AZ 

BONJOKIAN, JOHN 

BRAINTREE, MA 

BONTJE, KASPER 

VICKSBURG, MS 

CWO4 

BOSN3 

CWO2 

CWO3 

LCDR 

CAPT 

CWO3 

SN 

ENG3 











THE LONG BLUE LINE

BOROWSKI, ANTHONY 

PSC 03-17-2020 

DAVIS, JAMES 

BM2 05-01-2020 

FORT MYERS, FL 

PORT ARTHUR, TX 

BRAY, WILTON 

DC1 04-18-2020 

DEANDRADE, MANUEL 


ELIZABETH CITY, NC 

AMHURST, NH 

BRIGHT, BRUCE 

SK3 04-25-2020 

DEGRAW, LEO 

LCDR 03-08-2020 

MIDDLETON, WI 

SUN CITY, AZ 

BRITO, LOUIS 

MKC 04-30-2020 

DEGUZMAN, BENJAMIN 

FSCS 04-18-2020 

BOULDER CITY, NV 

JACKSONVILLE, FL 

BRODERICK, MICHAEL 

PS1 04-26-2020 

DEMARCO, BERNARD 

EMCM 04-04-2020 

HUNTINGTON STA, NY 

HENRICO, VA 

BRUNER, GEORGE 

CWO4 03-18-2020 

DENNEY, PATRICK 

LT 05-25-2020 

TERRYTOWN, LA 

KIRKLAND, WA 

BRYNER, CLYDE 

EM3 03-27-2020 

DEVEAU, GLEN 

LCDR 03-28-2020 

COVINGTON, WA 

KELLER, TX 

BUZGA, JOHN 

CDR 04-03-2020 

DIAZ, JOE 

PS1 05-13-2020 

GILBERT, AZ 

SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, TX 

BYE, RICHARD 

ENCS 05-21-2020 

DONALDSON, JAMES 

TTC 04-10-2020 

BRYAN, TX 

ELK GROVE, CA 

CAPPS, WALTER 


DOYLE, ROBERT 

LT 04-13-2020 

KIRKLAND, WA 

DEL RAY BEACH, FL 

CARPENTER, JAMES 


DROZDZ, JOHN 


BARBOURSVILLE, WV 

TRINITY, FL 

CASEY, THOMAS 


DUKES, BERNARD 


HUNTINGTON, NY 

TAUNTON, MA 

CHERRY, CASIMIER 

QM1 03-05-2020 

DUNETHAN, JAMES 

ETCS 03-26-2020 

CHESANING, MI 

PURGITSVILLE, WV 

CHURCHILL, DANIEL 

BMC 03-10-2020 

EARL, WILLIAM 

MMC 03-02-2020 

ABEERDEEN, WA 

RIVERSIDE, CA 

COLMENAR, BENJAMIN 

FSC 04-22-2020 

EDMONDS, HOWARD 

ENG4 04-11-2020 

LEISURE CITY, FL 

NEDERLAND, TX 

CORSO, JOHN 


FARLEY, MARK 

ET1 05-04-2020 

BELLEVUE, WA 

DELHI, NY 

CURRIER, JOHN 

VADM 03-01-2020 

FARNUM, WAYNE 


TRAVERSE CITY, MI 

PINELLAS PARK, FL 

DADDIO, SAMUEL 

DC1 05-03-2020 

FERGUSON, JAMES 

BMC 04-09-2020 

HOMESTEAD, FL 

TOPPING, VA 

DALY, JOHN 


FITCH, ROBERT 

FS1 04-05-2020 

PLYMOUTH, MA 

HOFFMAN ESTES, IL 

DANTINE, RICHARD 

ET1 05-14-2020 

FOSTER, MELVIN 

PSS4 03-01-2020 

SPARKS, NV 

VINEMONT, AL 


51 

TAPS 

U.S. COAST GUARD RETIREE INFORMATION

TAPS 

FROEHLICH, BRUCE 

HARRISON, MI 

MAT4 


HICKS, WILLIAM 

ST JOHNS, FL 

CDR 


FUHLRODT, RICHARD 

KEIZER, OR 

BM1 


HIGMAN, JOHN 

TITUSVILLE, FL 

CWO4 


GAY, FERNIE 

SUN CITY WEST, AZ 

BMCM 


HOGAN, JOHN 

FERNLEY, NV 

YN1 


GEE, BARRY 

PARIS, TN 

RDCS 


HOOPER, PAUL 

LEWISBURG, PA 

LCDR 


GELLINGS, JOHN 

PARMA, OH 

RMC 


HORWATH, SCOTT 

CONYERS, GA 

ET1 


GIBLER, JAMES 

CRESCENT CITY, CA 

CWO4 


HOUFF, LURTY 

MANASSAS, VA 

PSCM 


GILBERT, MARSHALL "ED" 

ARLINGTON, VA 

RADM 


HUESTON, HARRY 

KERNERSVILLE, NC 

MSTC 


GLINTENKAMP, GARY 

EAST SETAUKET, NY 

MKCS 


IBANEZ, DANILO 

LONG BEACH, CA 

EMCM 


GOLPHIN, LONZIA 

AMERICUS, GA 

FS1 


JACKSON, CHARLES 

EVERETT, WA 

CWO3 



GRACEY, JAMES 

WINCHESTER, VA 

GRAHAM, BRUCE 

HAMSHIRE, TX 

GRANT, HAROLD 

TALLAHASSEE, FL 

GRIFFIN, WILLIAM 

COPPERAS COVE, TX 

GUPIT, BERNABE 

STATEN ISLAND, NY 

HAHN, ROBERT 

YONA, GU 

HANSEN, NILS 

HOUSTON, TX 

HEFNER, JOHN 

RICHLANDS, VA 

HENDERSON, MARK 

SHELTON, WA 

HIBBETTS, GLEN 

SEQUIM, WA 

HICKMAN, BOBBY 

VANCOUVER, WA 

ADM 

CDR 

ETCM 

MKCM 

YNC 

CDR 

CAPT 

ET1 

RMC 

ENC 

BMCM 












JACKSON, OTIS 

DADE CITY, FL 

JAMES, ANDREW 

GLOUCESTER, VA 

JASKOT, JOHN 

BURKE, VA 

JOHNS, JOSEPH 

NEW SALEM, MA 

JOHNS, WARREN 

BURNSIDE, KY 

JOHNSON, DAVID 

BOTHELL, WA 

JOHNSON, CARL 

WEBSTER SPGS, WV 

JOHNSON, CHARLES 

GREENTOWN, IN 

JOHNSON, DAVID 

BARRINGTON, RI 

JONES, DELBERT 

QUAKER HILL, CT 

JONES, HARRY 

SAN ANTONIO, TX 

MKC 

PSS3 

CDR 

CS1 

LCDR 

ENG3 

LCDR 

SKC 

YNC 

EMCM 

ENG2 













THE LONG BLUE LINE

JOSEPHSON, CARL 

CAPT 05-06-2020 

LINDBERG, BRUCE 

FS1 05-13-2020 

MELBOURNE, FL 

JOYCE, MICHAEL 

ELC3 04-19-2020 

MARINETTE, WI 

LOGAN, CLARENCE 

SD1 05-03-2020 

FLANDERS, NJ 

KAPRAL, FRANK 


BALTIMORE, MD 

LOGSDEN, CLARK 


WINTER GARDEN, FL 

KENDALL, MICHAEL 

RMC 04-09-2020 

RENO, TX 

LONG, NORWOOD 


WICHITA FALLS, TX 

KILBURN, JIMMY 

DCC 04-14-2020 

GLENDALE, AZ 

LYSAK, WILLIAM 

TTCS 04-26-2020 

N LAS VEGAS, NV 

KITTNER, LARRY 


HUNTINGTON BCH, CA 

MANNING, BOBBY 

AD1 03-26-2020 

BLUFFTON, SC 

KNAUP, JAMES 


NEWPORT, NC 

MARTIN, BENJAMIN 

MST1 05-09-2020 

CAHOKIA, IL 

KORTH, WILLIAM 


SAN PEDRO, CA 

MATEO, ANTONIO 

PERS4 04-12-2020 

AMARILLO, TX 

KREFFT, CALVIN 

BMCS 05-12-2020 

RANDOLPH, MA 

MAYER, FOREST 


CLARKESVILLE, GA 

KRUMM, LEROY 


CRYSTAL LAKE, IL 

MCBRIDE, DAVID 


ORO VALLEY, AZ 

LANE, CHARLES 


SCOTT CITY, KS 

MCCABE, PATRICK 


LIBERTY, TN 

LANGLEY, PAT 


FRUITPORT, MI 

MCELFRESH, DALE 


LAWRENCEVILLE, GA 

LAPP, ROBERT 

SNPS 05-21-2020 

WAR ACRES, OK 

MCKINLEY, ROBERT 

YNC 03-18-2020 

MINDEN, NV 

LAUSSADE, LYSLE 


SANTA ROSA, CA 

MERRIOTT, KENYON 

DCC 04-24-2020 

RESERVE, LA 

LEEPER, RANDELL 

DCCS 04-08-2020 

URBANA, MO 

MERRITT, SAMUEL 

TTCM 03-25-2020 

SPRINGFIELD, OR 

LESSLEY, BUELL 


ATLANTIC, VA 

MIHLBAUER, JOHN 


CALIMESA, CA 

LEVINE, STEPHEN 


KAILUA, HI 

MILLER, MELVIN 

CSC 03-20-2020 

NASHUA, NH 

LEWIS, DANA 


PITTSBURGH, PA 

MILLER, WILLIAM 

SA 04-04-2020 

SEATTLE, WA 

LEWIS, DONALD 

HSC 04-03-2020 

SAN DIEGO, CA 

MOLYNEAUX, LEMUEL 

BMCM 02-28-2020 

NEW ORLEANS, LA 

LIBUS, THOMAS 


SARASOTA, FL 

MOORE, THOMAS 

ENG4 03-02-2020 

NANTICOKE, PA 

JACKSONVILLE, FL 


53 

TAPS 


TAPS 

MOORE, EUGENE 

SAVANNAH, GA 

SK2 


POLL, GARY 

MIRAMAR, FL 

LCDR 


MORGAN, JOHN 

CHATTANOOGA, TN 

PS1 


POULIN, MAURICE 

NAHANT, MA 

BMCM 


MURRAY, PAT 

PLANO, TX 

LCDR 


PRESA, JOSE 

NORRISTOWN, PA 

FSCM 


MYSIUK, ADAM 

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL 

MK1 


PRESSON, NORMAN 

CASA GRANDE, AZ 

DCC 


NIELSEN, STANLEY 


ADC 


QUEDNAU, WILLIAM 

WARWICK, RI 

BM1 


OHNHEISER, LAWRENCE 

DICKINSON, TX 

BMC 


RADIN, ARTHUR 

NICHOLASVILLE, KY 

F&S4 


OLEARY, PAUL 


PERS4 


RAMIREZ, SILVERIO 


FSCS 


PACE, JOSEPH 


EM1 


REGAN, FREDRICK 

JOHNSON CITY, TN 

CWO4 


PALMER, JIMMY 

FARMER’S BRANCH, TX 

CDR 


REID, JACK 

BUFFALO, NY 

CWO3 



PARSONS, CECIL 

ROCKPORT, ME 

PATCHA, ROBERT 

QUINCY, MA 

PAYNE, S. G. 

MANVILLE, RI 

PEARSON, CHARLES 

AMHERST, NY 

PELZER, PAUL 

ODESSA, FL 

PENK, EDWARD 

JOHNSONVILLE, NY 

PIERCE, BLANCHARD 

ALBANY, OR 

PINARCHICK, JOSEPH 

HINGHAM, MA 

PINON, RAMON 

WIMAUMA, FL 

PITTS, FREDERICK 

WOLFEBORO, NH 

PITZING, ISADORE 

NORLINA, NC 

BMC 

CDR 

CAPT 

CDR 

LCDR 

MKC 

CWO3 

CDR 

FSCS 

LT 

BMC 












REMONDINI, DAVID 

SILVER SPRING, MD 

RHODES, JOSEPH 

CHARLESTON HTS, SC 

RICKER, BRUCE 

HIGGANUM, CT 

ROSSMAN, HARRY 

PRESCOTT, AZ 

SANTOS, BENJAMIN 

BALTIMORE, MD 

SCARBOROUGH, ROBERT 

ARLINGTON, VA 

SCHARTZER, ROGER 

MESA, AZ 

SCHOENFELD, WILLIAM 

GLOUCESTER, VA 

SERNA, LODOVICO 

VALLEJO, CA 

SHEPPARD, RAMSEY 

HAMMOND, LA 

SHULTZ, RAY 

LAS CRUCES, NM 

CDR 

EN1 

MKCS 

ETCS 

FS1 

VADM 

CWO3 

AE1 

HSCS 

SK1 

LCDR 









12-04-2018 




THE LONG BLUE LINE

SIGNORILE, PHILIP 

OMAHA, NE 

SIMPSON, LAWRENCE 

OCRACOKE, NC 

SMITH, WILLIAM 

LEDYARD, CT 

SOMERVILLE, JAMES 

WEBSTER, NY 

SPARKS, BRIAN 

WASHINGTON, IL 

SPRUILL, CHARLIE 

POWELLS POINT, NC 

STANDRIDGE, HOWELL 

BUCHANAN, TN 

STEVENSON, LARRY 

WOODWARD, OK 

STIRLING, ALBERT 

BRYAN, TX 

STRONG, MAURICE 

HAZELHURST, MS 

SULLIVAN, THOMAS 

WANTAGH, NY 

SURTASKY, ANTHONY 

YORK, PA 

SWAIN, DORMAN 

NEWPORT RCHY, FL 

TANO, LOUIS 

DYER, IN 

TAYLOR, ALLEN 

POTOMAC FALLS, VA 

THOMAS, STANLEY 

ASHEVILLE, NC 

THOMPSON, WILLIAM 

THEODORE, AL 

THRIFT, CHRISTOPHER 

WARRENTON, NC 

TINGQUIST, ALAN 

HUDSON, OH 

TOOLEY, JOHN 

PORTLAND, OR 

SR 

ADC 

CAPT 

ET3 

MUC 

BMC 

CWO3 

ETCS 

CAPT 

AD2 

IVC 

CWO4 

ASMC 

BMC 

CAPT 

ATCM 

LCDR 


















TURNQUIST, JAMES 

CLERMONT, FL 

TYNER, JAMES 

DOUGLAS, AK 

ULRICH, EUGENE 

NEW BEDFORD, MA 

URBANOWICZ, THOMAS 

NEWPORT NEWS, VA 

VANDERZYL, ROBERT 

DALEVILLE, AL 

VANDUSER, ROSS 

MUKILTEO, WA 

VENABLE, GORDON 

SAN MARCOS, CA 

VISHON, DANIEL 

THAYNE, WY 

WAGGIE, CHARLES 


WALKER, RAULIN 

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 

WARD, HAROLD 

EXMORE, VA 

WATKINS, HAROLD 

BRINNON, WA 

WATSON, CHARLES 

EVENING SHADE, AR 

WEAVER, BYRON 

ST PETERSBURG, FL 

WENZEL, DOUGLAS 

OSHKOSH, WI 

WHALEN, AUSTIN 

MIAMI, FL 

WHITE, RODERICK 

OLD LYME, CT 

FSCS 

CWO4 

BM1 

LT 

LT 

CWO3 

PS1 

SA 

AET3 

RDCM 

BMCS 

AEC 

FS1 

ELC4 

ATCS 

FN 

CAPT 















11-14-2019 



GM2 02-28-2020 

WHITE, SANFORD 

BEAUFORT, NC 

ENC 03-07-2020 


WHITE, DAVID 

PHENIX CITY, AL 


GM1 02-28-2020 

WILLIAMS, LAVERN 

PALM COAST, FL 

BOSN4 03-23-2020 


55 

TAPS 


TAPS 

WILLIAMS, ROGER 

MIAMI, FL 

CDR 


WOMACK, RAYMOND 

ROSEBURG, OR 

CAPT 


WILLIFORD, JOHN 

BREAUX BRIDGE, LA 

CSC 


YOUNG, DONALD 

YUMA, AZ 

MKC 


WILSON, JOHN 

NEW BRAUNFELS, TX 

AET1 


YOUNG, CHARLES 

FREMONT, OH 

YNC 


WOLVERTON, HAL 

DEMING, NM 

BMCM 


HONORING ALL 

WHO SERVED 

USPHS 

BROWNING, GEORGE 

STERLING, VA 

CAPT 


MCCASLAND, TRUMAN 

WILMINGTON, NC 

CAPT 


CALLISON, PATRICIA 

PERRY, GA 

CAPT 


OAKLEY, DONALD 

WASHINGTON, DC 

CAPT 



DENNIS, ELAINE 

MONCKS CORNER, SC 

FURGERSON, W B 

SUNNYVALE, CA 

GREEN, JEROME 

CHEVY CHASE, MD 

HUFF, ESKIN 

BOYDS, MD 

INGRAHAM, SAMUEL 

COLUMBUS, OH 

KROPIDLOWSKI, EDMUND 

SANTA ANA, CA 

LONNEMAN, WILLIAM 

RALEIGH, NC 

MAY, JAMES 

CANDLER, NC 

NOAA 

ADAMS, WILLIAM 

MALOTT, WA 

ALDRIDGE, ANDREW 

PORT HURON, MI 

CAPT 

CAPT 

RADM 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CDR 

ENS 











PERRIN, JOE 

ALLEN, TX 

POND, CYNTHIA 

ANNAPOLIS, MD 

POWELL, WARREN 

GLEN MILLS, PA 

RAINEY, JOHNNY 

WATKINSVILLE, GA 

SHORT, JOHN 

OLYMPIA, WA 

SPIRA, THOMAS 

ATLANTA, GA 

YOUNG, GARY 

LITTLETON, CO 

GOEHLER, DAVID 

ALEXANDRIA, VA 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 










THE LONG BLUE LINE

DEPENDENT TAPS 

TAPS 

VERLIE MEDFORD 


WIFE OF EM1 EDWARD R. MEDFORD, USCG (RET) 


JACQUELINE (JACKIE) KEEL 

EAST SANDWICH, MA 

WIFE OF CWO4 ROY T. KEEL, USCG (RET) 


VIRGINIA A. COVINGTON 

EVERETT, WA 

WIFE OF ENC WILLIAM L. COVINGTON, USCG (RET) 

08-07-2019 

THELMA A. TENNYSON 

WILMINGTON, NC 

WIFE OF THE LATE CPO DONALD TENNYSON, USCG (RET) 

09-28-2019 

RONITA JUAREZ 

HAYWARD, CA 

WIFE OF HS2 DAVID M. JUAREZ, USCG (RET) 


NICKI HENDERSON 

BILOXI, MS 

WIFE OF CDR DAN HENDERSON, USCG (RET) 


VICKIE L. LARSON 

EMMETT, ID 

WIFE OF AD1 DAVID LARSON, USCG (RET) 

12-16-2019 

MARGARET MORSE 

DECATUR, GA 

WIFE OF FSC CHARLES L. MORSE, USCG (RET) 

12-24-2018 

JOAN KAUTZMAN 

SAMMAMISH, WA 

WIFE OF MCPO RONALD KAUTZMAN, USCG (RET) 


CAROL M. PEARL 

ODESSA, DE 

WIFE OF CAPT DAVID L. PEARL, USCGR (RET) 

07-13-2019 

DEBRA J. ANDERSON 

ST. PETERSBURG, FL 

DARLENE E. PAGTAKHAN 

FREEMONT, CA 

MARIAN A. TODD 

CLEARWATER, MN 

MARTHA L. MANN 

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 

DEBORAH W. EDGE 

ROCKY MOUNT, NC 

ANN G. NEWMAN 

BOWIE, MD 

SUSAN SHILTZ 

LOYALTON, CA 

JEAN M. FECTEAU 

OVERLAND PARK, KS 

JUDY RUSIECKI 

ILWACO, WA 

CORNELIA ANN CLARK 

WILLIAMSBURG, VA 

JUDY K. GLAZE 

NEW BRAUNFELS, TX 

LINDA S. SEXTON 

ALMO, KY 

NAOMI KIRCHMAN 

ALGOMA, WI 

WIFE OF BM1 RODGER ANDERSON, USCG (RET) 

WIFE OF YNC CRISTANTO PAGTAKHAN, USCG (RET) 

WIFE OF YNCS JAMES T. TODD, USCG (RET) 

WIFE OF CWO4 BURL E. MANN, USCG (RET) 

WIFE OF SK1 STEVE E. EDGE, USCG (RET) 

WIFE OF LCDR EDWIN S. NEWMAN, JR., USCGR (RET) 

WIFE OF THE LATE SS1 DAVID SHILTZ, USCG (RET) 

WIFE OF SKCS JEAN P. FECTEAU, USCG (RET) 

WIFE OF CPO JEFF RUSIECKI, USCG (RET) 

WIFE OF THE LATE CAPT WILLIAM B. CLARK, USCG (RET) 

WIFE OF CAPT LARRY E. GLAZE, USCG (RET) 

WIFE OF BMCM ERNEST R. SEXTON, USCG (RET) 

WIFE OF THE LATE GERALD KIRCHMAN, USCG (RET) 



07-23-2019 







12-11-2019 


12-13-2019 




57

FANTAIL DETAIL 

An aviation maintenance technician washes the 

tail rotor of an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter. The 

crew members at Air Station Port Angeles work 

diligently to maintain Coast Guard assets. 

photo: U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Clark 


THE LONG BLUE LINE


59

ADDITIONAL ITEMS 

CG PAY & PERSONNEL CENTER, RETIREE & 

ANNUITANT SERVICES (PPC-RAS) 

www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/ras 

Concurrent Retirement and Disability 

Pay (CRDP) Audit Error Worksheet 

(AEW) Processing 

AEW SITREP Two: CG PPC has received all of the approved surge team. Two months of training 

for the full team has been completed and all are engaged in full time production. CG PPC is on 

track to eliminate the backlog of AEW cases by December 2020. 

In mid-April, we implemented a new organic IT database to automate certain aspects of the data and 

specifically to allow us to identify which AEWs would result in retroactive payments by USCG and/ 

or the VA. Prior to this PPC had to review each case even those that would not result in payments 

to the Retirees. 

CG PPC will report the actual number of AEW cases being processed, according to the number 

of months the cases have been at PPC (< 3 mos, 3-6 mos, 6-9 mos, 9-12 mos, 12+ mos), in the 

FALL (OCT) 2020 Long Blue Line. 

Federal Income Tax Withholding 


Recent updates in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Code have made changes to the way Federal 

income tax withholding (FITW) is calculated and a new 2020 W4 form. There may be an impact 

to the amount withheld on a monthly basis for your 2020 tax liability. Please review your pay slip 

to determine if the FITW amount that is being withheld is the appropriate amount. We suggest you 

contact a tax consultant or the IRS if you need assistance to make that determination. 

Should you desire to send a new 2020 W4 form to PPC/RAS, please feel free to scan and e-mail it 

to PPC-DG-CustomerCare@uscg.mil or you may mail it to the following address: 

USCG (RAS) 

PAY & PERSONNEL CENTER 

444 SE QUINCY ST 

TOPEKA KS 66603-3591 

Please contact PPC Customer Care at 1 (866) 772-8724 if you have any questions. 

Retiree Self-Service – Email Address: 

Retiree Self-Service 

Did you know that you can update your own direct deposit 

banking information in Direct Access? Make sure you 

don’t miss a payment when you need to change your 

bank account information. Here is one of our many retiree 

self-service guides that provides step-by-step instructions 

on how to update your direct deposit banking information 

in Direct Access. www.dcms.uscg.mil/Portals/10/CG-1/ 

PPC/ras/gp/ChangeDirectDeposit.pdf 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

Certification Requirements 

for Permanently 

Incapacitated Children 

Permanently incapacitated children are eligible 

indefinitely for benefits (after a formal determination 

by your branch of service). Requirements in the law 

mandate the incapacitated child live with sponsor unless 

separated because of medical necessity, be unmarried 

and the sponsor provide over 50% support. Therefore, 

the sponsor must complete a dependency recertification 

every four years. 

To complete quadrennial (4 years) recertification, 

the DMDC (Defense Data Manpower Center) mails a 

postcard, which details information that the sponsor must 

provide in order to ensure continued eligibility for the 

incapacitated child. The postcard also contains details 

about where to provide the information and points of 

contact for any questions. Failure to provide updated 

information will eventually lead to the child being declared 

ineligible for continued coverage. 

Additional information is available at www.dmdc.osd.mil/ 

milconnect/help/pdf/incapredetermination.pdf. Within 90 

days of recertification, you may log into your milConnect 

account at milconnect.dmdc.mil; prior to the 90 days 

recertification will not be available. Please navigate to 

the “Dependency Redetermination” drop down under the 

“Benefits” menu item. 

If you have further questions, please contact your service 

representative: Coast Guard – Ms. Tina Martin, 785-339- 

3441; PHS – Ms. Mary Boone, 240-453-6038; and NOAA 

– Ms. Neavaly Touray, 301-628-0917. 

COMMANDANT’S LEADERSHIP VIDEO SERIES 

uscg.mil/alwaysready/ 

Every Coast Guard member has a unique story to tell. Admiral Schultz firmly believes in the 

power of storytelling as a tool for inspiration and education and regularly uses videos to 

highlight our service members. For the first time, these videos are all available in one place 

here for your use. Feel free to utilize them for leadership workshops, community outreach, 

affinity events, or social media posts. They were created to help you to tell the story of the 

world’s best Coast Guard from the perspective of our people. 

If you have a unique story to tell, please contact cag@uscg.mil 




61




ANNUITANT SERVICES (PPC-RAS) 

www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/ras 

Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) 

Special Needs Trust 

Do you select SBP coverage for your child(ren) 

when you retired and do you have a permanently 

incapacitated child? That child is covered by 

SBP for life. Perhaps you are aware that if you 

pass away and your incapacitated child begins 

receiving an SBP annuity, it may disqualify the 

child, due to the income the child is receiving, 

from other federal and state benefits. 

A Special Needs Trust is a legal document that 

establishes an account to oversee financial 

assets of an incapacitated child. When a 

Special Needs Trust is designated as the 

beneficiary of an SBP annuity, SBP annuity 

payments are paid to the Special Needs 

Trust for the benefit of the incapacitated 

child. A key benefit of the Special Needs 

Trust is that SBP income does not disqualify 

the child from other state or federal aid that 

might have been jeopardized if the disabled 

child directly received SBP income. Disabled 

or incapacitated children are those who are 

incapable of self-support because of a physical 

or mental in-capacity which existed before the 

child’s 18th birthday or was incurred before 

age 22 while the child was pursuing a full-time 

course of study. 

Special Needs Trusts are very technical 

documents that should be prepared by a 

qualified attorney. Additionally, medical 

paperwork must be filed with the Coast Guard 

PPC to establish the child’s disability and 

continued entitlement to SBP child coverage 

after the age of 18/22. If you have a disabled 

child named as your SBP beneficiary, we 

recommend you consult with an attorney 

experienced with Special Needs Trusts and 

that you contact the PPC/RAS office or the PPC 

Legal Office with any other questions. 


THE LONG BLUE LINE


ANNUITANT SERVICES (PPC-RAS), DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE & 

OTHER IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS & WEBSITES 

Directory Assistance and Other Important Phone Numbers & Websites are also accessible at: 

dcms.uscg.mil/portals/10/cg-1/ppc/ras/rasdirectory.pdf 

Questions, Address or Direct-Deposit Changes 

If you need information or have questions 

about: 

• Your retired or survivor benefit plan (SBP) 

annuity payments 

• Your retired/annuitant statement 

• IRS Form 1099-R (reporting taxable 

income) 

• You need to change your and your 

dependents’ home mailing address (for 

retired/annuitant statement, newsletter, 

1099-R, correspondence) 

• Your financial institution or account 

number for your direct deposit 

• Report a change to your designation of 

beneficiary for payment of unpaid retired 

pay (Note: use Form *CG PPC-3600 

Designation of Beneficiary for Payment of 

Unpaid Retired Pay) 

You may make the requests listed above by 

telephone, by fax, or in writing. The telephone 

and fax numbers are: 

Toll free: 1-866-772-8724 

Commercial: (785) 339-2200 

Fax: (785) 339-3770 

Allotments, SBP Coverage and Beneficiary 

Changes 

If you need to: 

• Start, stop, or change an allotment (you may 

use Form *CG PPC-7221 Retired Allotment 

Authorization Form, fax in the form or a 

written request, call us or send us an e-mail 

request). 

• Report a change to your survivor benefit 

plan (SBP) coverage (must be in writing) 

You may fax your request to (785) 339-3770 

or mail to: 

Commanding Officer (RAS) 

USCG Pay & Personnel Center 

444 SE Quincy St 

Topeka, KS 66683-3591 

Income Tax Withholding Changes 

(*) Note: Forms are available from the PPC website at: 

www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/pd/forms/ or directly from the IRS. 

If you need to: 

• Start or change the amount of state tax 

withholding (retirees can call, e-mail, fax or use 

*IRS Form W-4, or state form. If using IRS form, 

indicate that the form is for state income tax 

withholding, not federal, which state it’s for and 

the dollar amount to be withheld, (minimum 

amount is $10.00, no cents)). We cannot 

withhold state tax for annuitants. 

• Change your federal income tax 

withholding (retirees use Form W-4, 

annuitants use Form W-4P) 

• Change exemptions or additional 

withholding 

Federal tax changes must be in writing. The 

original Form IRS W-4 or W-4P must be mailed 

to PPC (RAS) for action and filing, per IRS 

requirements. PPC (RAS) cannot accept a 

faxed W-4 or W-4P. Please mail to: 




Topeka, KS 66683-3591 

(*) Note: Forms are available from the PPC website at: 

www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/pd/forms/ or directly from IRS. 

Report of Death 

To report the death of a Coast Guard, NOAA 

or PHS retiree/annuitant call: 

Toll free: 1-866-772-8724 

Commercial: (785) 339-2200 

Fax: (785) 339-3770 

Or write: 




Topeka, KS 66683-3591 

DEPENDENT TAPS: To place a Dependent 

TAPS notice in The Retiree Newsletter, provide 

the dependent’s name, relationship to retiree, 

date of passing, and city/state to Robert Hinds 

at: 

Robert.C.Hinds@uscg.mil 

phone: 202-475-5451 


DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE 


63



MEDICARE PART B ENROLLMENT IS MANDATORY AT AGE 65 

dcms.uscg.mil/Portals/10/CG-1/retiree/docs/pdf/Turning_65_with_MEDICARE.pdf?ver=2018-09-07-143218-930 

When you turn 65, your medical benefits will change. MEDICARE will become your primary medical 

coverage and TRICARE pays secondary to MEDICARE. You MUST enroll in MEDICARE PART 

B to retain your TRICARE coverage. If you are within 90 days of your 65th birthday, you should 

log on to www.ssa.gov or medicare.gov to enroll in MEDICARE PART B. Additional information is 

accessible at: tricare.mil/Welcome/Eligibility/MedicareEligible.aspx?sc_database=web or by phone 

at 866-773-0404. You may also call the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) 

at 800-538-9552. 

OTHER IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS AND WEBSITES 

Medical/Dental Benefits/Phone/Websites/ 

Notes 

Eligibility (DEERS)/ID Cards 

1-800-538-9552 

(TTY/TDD) 

1-866-363-2883 

www.tricare.mil/deers 

In CA: 1-800-334-4162; 

In AK & HI 1-800-527-5602 

Mail-Order Pharmacy 

1-877-363-1303 

www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/home/ 

Prescriptions/Filling Prescriptions/TMOP 

Federal Dental & Vision Insurance Program 

(FEDVIP—Retirees) 

1-877-888-3337 

https://www.benefeds.com/ 

TRICARE Overseas 

1-888-777-8343 

www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/home/overview/ 

Regions/RegionsNonUS 

TRICARE East Region Contractor 

1-800-444-5445 

TRICARE West Region Contractor 

1-844-866-9378 

www.tricare.mil 

TRICARE For Life 

1-866-773-0404 

www.tricare.mil/tfl/default.cfm 

www.tricare.mil/LifeEvents/Retiring 

TRICARE Eligibility—Pharmacy 

(Medicare info) 

1-877-363-1303 

www.tricare.mil/ CoveredServices/Pharmacy/ 

Eligibility.aspx 

Federal Long-Term Health Insurance 

1-800-582-3337 

www.opm.gov/insure/ltc/ 

CG Health Benefits Advisor 

1-800-942-2422 

Veterans Benefits 

Phone/Websites/Notes 

Department of Veterans Affairs 

1-800-827-1000 

www.va.gov 

Insurance Information 

1-800-669-8477 

www.insurance.va.gov 

Veteran’s Group Life Insurance 

www.insurance.va.gov/sglisite/vgli/vgli.htm 

New VGLI Applications and VGLI 

Reinstatements: 

OSGLI 

PO Box 41618 

Philadelphia, PA 19176-9913 

1-800-419-1473 

Overseas phone 

(973) 548-5699 

Overseas fax# 

(973) 548-5300 

Death and accelerated benefits claims only: 

Fax: 1-877-832-4943. 

All other fax inquiries: 

1-800-236-6142 

e-mail at: osgli.claims@prudential.com 

All other inquiries: osgli.osgli@prudential.com 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

General Correspondence: 

Office of Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance 

80 Livingston Avenue 

Roseland, NJ 07068-1733 

Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents 

1-800-827-1000 

www.va.gov/opa/publications/benefits_book.asp 

VA Pamphlet 80-02-1 

Headstones and Markers 

1-800-697-6947 

www.va.gov/opa/publications/benefits_book.asp 

Additional Important Number and Websites 

Final Active Duty Pay 

1-866-772-8724 

Overseas 

(785) 339-2200 

www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/separations/finalpay/ 

Commanding Officer (SEP) 


444 SE Quincy St. 

Topeka, KS 66683-3591 

Contact PPC (SEP) for information on severance 

pay, separation pay, disability severance pay, 

LES’s, IRS Form W-2. 

Social Security 

1-800-772-1213 

www.ssa.gov 

Travel Claims 

1-866-772-8724 

Overseas 

(785) 339-2200 

www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/travel/ 

Send final travel claim to: 

Commanding Officer (TVL) 


444 SE Quincy St. 

Topeka, KS 66683-3591 

Service Records 

(314) 801-0800 

www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records 

Write to: 

National Personnel Records Center 

Military Personnel Records 

1 Archives Drive 

St. Louis, MO 63138-1002 

Veterans or next-of-kin of a deceased veteran 

can access www.archives.gov/veterans/ 

military-service-records to make requests. 

All others must write in and include complete 

name, rank/grade, SSN, dates of service, and 

date of birth of the veteran. DD-214s are also 

available via the website 

WWII U.S. Merchant Marine Awards and 

Decorations 

(202) 336-2646 

www.marad.dot.gov/mariners/mariner 

Maritime Administration 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

200 New Jersey Ave, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

CG National Retiree Help Desk 

(202) 475-5381 

Toll free 1-833-224-6743 

email: NRHDesk@gmail.com 

Do NOT send Personally Identifiable Information 

(e.g. SSN, EMPID) to the CG National Retiree Help 

Desk. Visit: https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/retiree/ 

nrhd-pii/ 

CG Social Media Sites 

A list of Official CG Social Media Sites including 

Facebook and Twitter is accessible at: 

http;//coastguard.dodlive.mil/official-sites/ 

You may elect not to be mailed the newsletter by 

accessing your DA Self-Service account at 

• www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/ras/gp/ 

• Select “Change My Delivery Options” 

• Uncheck the block labeled “I elect to receive the 

Retiree Newsletter by mail.” 

You may also contact CG PPC Customer Care for 

assistance by calling 866-772-8724 or 785-339-2200, 

or by sending an e-mail to PPC-DG-CustomerCare@ 

uscg.mil. 




65

SCOPE THIS OUT 

Petty Officer 3rd Class Christina Shipp, a member of 

the Coast Guard Maritime Security Response Team West, 

conducts a live-fi re exercise while aboard Coast Guard 

Cutter BERTHOLF (WMSL 750) while patrolling the East 

China Sea. The Coast Guard Cutter BERTHOLF conducted 

a months-long patrol throughout the Western Pacifi c in 

support of the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet. 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

photo: U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Matthew S. Masaschi. 


67

The Long Blue Line (Summer 2020)

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