The Long Blue Line (Fall 2024)

FALL 2024 

A U.S. COAST GUARD WORLD WAR II COMBAT 

VETERAN ABOARD USS LST 763 

A LAST ROAR FROM THE 

ROARING TWENTIES 

ACTION NEEDED 

TO CONTINUE 

RECEIVING 

YOUR FREE 

LONG BLUE 

LINE 

(see flyer) 

THE RUPTURED DUCK 

DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN 

REVOLUTION SUPPORT THE MUSEUM 

WHY WE GIVE

FALL 2024 

Editor In Chief: Patti Fazio 

Managing Editor: Scott McGuire 

Art Director/Graphic Designer: 

Scott McGuire 

CG Retiree Services Program 

Manager: Bob Hinds, USCG CWO4 

(Ret.), Honorary CG MCPO 

Staff Writers: MCPO Jeff 

Creighton, USCG (Ret.) 

Contributing Writers: Renee 

Coleman, National Coast Guard 

Museum Director of Public Affairs 

Editorial Support: Catherine Janney 

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: 

Pentagon Publishing, Inc. 

2342 Oak Rd. 

Snellville, GA 30078 

Contact Jenny White, 

jenny@pentagon-usa.us 

PAST ISSUES: 

Current and past issues of The Long 

Blue Line (formerly The Retiree 

Newsletter) are accessible at: 

www.longblueline.org 

Current Coast Guard News is 

accessible at www.news.uscg.mil 

You may sign up for CG news 

updates at https://public. 

govdelivery.com/accounts/ 

USDHSCG/subscriber/ 

new?category_id=USDHSCG_ 

C18ou 

ON THE COVER: 

USS LST 763 beached at Iwo 

Jima (date unknown). Coast 

Guard veteran Stanley Berman 

was stationed aboard this vessel 

during WWII. Mt. Suribachi is in the 

background with wrecked Marine 

amphibs on the beach. (Photo by 

Erwin “Erv” Windward USNR, CO, 

USS LST 643) 

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 

4 

6 

8 

10 

12 

16 

20 

26 

30 

32 

36 

44 

50 

62 

72 

82 

84 

88 

90 

92 

94 

IMPORTANT REMINDERS: 

Greetings All! 

National Retiree Council Co-Chairs 

Message from the Director 

Reunions, Notices & Items of Interest 

The Ruptured Duck 

Evolution of SAR: From breeches buoys to the Search and 

Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking System 

COVER STORY | A Last Roar from the Roaring 

Twenties: Coast Guard WWII veteran tells his story 

Why We Give: Daughters of the American Revolution support 

the National Coast Guard Museum 

Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Fred Seeger: Matching 

Gift Challenge 

Portraits of Service: Meaningful stories from shipmates 

Auxiliary/RDC Partnership (PATON) 

Recalling the Maui Wildfire Disaster 

Large-scale Collaboration: Baltimore’s Key Bridge collapse 

Retirement Notices 

TAPS Notices 

Chaplain's Corner 

U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran & Coast Guard 

Shipmate “Gunner”: The Money Clip 

Coast Guard Rugby 

PPC-RAS 

Work-life: Connecting with the Transition Assistance Program 

Other Important Retiree Resources 

Find all of this content at longblueline.org 

• CHANGES TO RETIREE & ANNUITANT MAILING/EMAIL ADDRESSES: The CG Retiree Services Program 

Manager, Mr. Robert Hinds, does NOT have the capability to change mailing/e-mail addresses in Direct Access 

(DA). Retirees & Annuitants may change their mailing/e-mail addresses by accessing their DA Self-Service account 

at www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/ras/gp/ or by contacting CG PPC at 866-772-8724, e-mail: ppc-dg-customercare@uscg. 

mil. For Long Blue Line mailing address updates, please contact the National Coast Guard Museum Association at 

860-443-4200 or info@coastguardmuseum.org 

• USCG/PHS/NOAA INPUT FOR LONG BLUE LINE: Submit input to Robert Hinds, Robert.C.Hinds@uscg.mil. 

Deadline for input for The Long Blue Line, Winter (JAN) 2025, is 22 NOV 2024. 

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

Guard Museum Association, 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. 

2 FALL 2024 

THE LONG BLUE LINE THE LONG BLUE LINE FALL 2024 

3

NO CASH... 

NO PROBLEM 

ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO SUPPORT THE NATIONAL COAST GUARD MUSEUM 

GREETINGS ALL! 

It is with immense pride and excitement that I write 

to you today about the ongoing momentum of this 

groundbreaking project that is set to honor and 

celebrate the legacy of the United States Coast Guard— 

our National Coast Guard Museum. 

For many years, the dream of a dedicated museum to 

preserve and showcase the rich history of the Coast 

Guard has been in the making. Now, thanks to the 

unwavering support and dedication of individuals like 

you, we are on the brink of turning this dream into a 

reality. The anticipation is palpable as construction 

progresses and the vision of this state-of-the-art museum 

takes shape. It will serve as a testament to the bravery, 

commitment, and sacrifices of all who have served in 

the Coast Guard. 

As we move towards opening, I am thrilled to share 

with you a few of the many things you will be able to 

experience at the Museum. From joining us at special 

events to hosting one of your own, the upper deck 

waterfront event space will be a wonderful venue to 

enjoy. For those who want to test their Coast Guard 

expertise, the Museum will be stocked with digital 

tablets that guide you through 10 interactive skill stations. 

Whether visiting with family or going solo, you can earn 

your badge and have some fun along the way. 

From the Revenue Cutter Argus Promenade along the 

waterfront, lined with commemorative pavers, to the 

180-seat theater nested in the heart of the Museum that 

will feature a heartfelt retrospective Coast Guard film, 

the Museum will delight and engage visitors of all ages. 

While exhibits are being curated, simulators are being 

designed, and the Museum building is being erected, 

our National Coast Guard Museum Association has 

been hard at work developing an exclusive museum 

membership program that will launch in 2025. Although 

the Museum will be free to visit, the membership 

program will offer unique benefits, whether you visit 

in person or virtually. Membership will offer incredible 

opportunities to actively participate year-round. 

By becoming a member, you are supporting the 

Museum and ensuring that the Coast Guard’s stories 

and global contributions are preserved and celebrated 

for generations to come. We invite you to join us in this 

endeavor, to be a part of something truly monumental. 

Keep an eye out on how you can become a founding 

member. 

The National Coast Guard Museum will stand as a 

beacon of our shared heritage, a place where the 

past meets the present, and where the legacy of the 

United States Coast Guard will continue to inspire and 

educate. Your support and involvement are crucial in 

bringing this vision to life. 

Stay tuned for more information about the exciting 

opportunities that await. Together, we can ensure the 

Museum becomes a source of pride for all who have 

served and a tribute to the enduring spirit of the United 

States Coast Guard. 

Thank you for your continued support and dedication. 

We’re almost there! 

Semper Paratus! 

Vince Patton 

MCPOCG, USCG, Retired 

National Coast Guard Museum Association, 

Chief of the Mess 

• Gift stocks or appreciated assets. Ensures your full stock’s value aids the cause, bypassing capital gains 

tax. This maximizes your contribution, supporting the Museum’s mission effectively. 

• A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). If you're 70.5 or older, QCDs allow tax-efficient, direct fund 

transfers from your IRA, benefitting your tax scenario and our Museum. 

• Make a “grant” via your Donor-Advised Fund (DAF). This offers an immediate tax benefit for your 

charitable contribution, enabling sustained philanthropic giving. 

There are many ways to support the Museum, including a bequest in your will. 

Help us preserve and share the incredible Coast Guard history. Learn more at: 

www.cgmuseumassociation.org/how-to-make-a-gift/ 



5

NATIONAL RETIREE 

COUNCIL CO-CHAIRS 

RADM MERRIE AUSTIN, USCG (RET.): Happy 

autumn! The kids are back in school, the days are 

getting shorter, and pumpkin flavored everything has 

invaded our grocery stores and coffee houses. I’ve 

been the Flag Co-Chair of the National CG Retiree 

Council for about a year now, and I’m incredibly 

impressed by the dedication of retirees serving other 

retirees, annuitants, and the Coast Guard writ large. 

Members of Regional councils are looking out for 

fellow retirees and annuitants in their communities, 

we have volunteers serving as watchstanders for the 

National Retirees’ Helpdesk, and, finally, there are 

folks stepping up to help CG Recruiting Command 

bring new members into the service. 

It’s clear to me that many retirees continue to serve 

and are looking to stay engaged with our Coast 

Guard. One of the ways to stay engaged is by reading 

and sharing the information presented in The Long 

Blue Line magazine. For those of you who receive 

a hard copy of the magazine, you should have 

received a letter from RADM Raymond about how 

to opt in to continue receiving your free print copy of 

the magazine. Please opt in if you want to continue to 

receive a print copy. If you don’t opt in, you can still 

access The Long Blue Line electronically. If you have 

any further questions, please contact Mr. Bob Hinds. 

It has been a busy few months. We held our annual 

National CG Retirees Council meeting in August at 

the CG Pay and Personnel Center (PPC) in Topeka, 

Kansas. This is the first time the meeting has been 

held there, and everyone said it was the most 

productive council meeting they’ve ever attended. I 

want to thank CAPT Henry, the CO of PPC, and his 

staff for opening their doors to us, explaining how 

PPC-RAS (Retiree and Annuitant Services Branch) 

processes work, and making us feel welcome. More 

on what was accomplished during this meeting can 

be found inside this issue. 

Hail and Farewell: I want to thank Master Chief Lloyd 

Pierce for his four years of service as my fellow 

Co-Chair and agreeing to extend his 3-year stint 

to provide continuity as I came aboard last year. 

Master chief, I really appreciated you getting me up 

to speed, working issues with you, and your help 

in getting more retirees and annuitants comfortable 

with going on-line, which assists us in our mission of 

improving two-way comms between our community 

and the Coast Guard. Bravo Zulu Master Chief! 

I’d like to welcome the 13th Master Chief Petty Officer 

of the Coast Guard Jason Vanderhaden as the new 

senior enlisted co-chair of the National CG Retiree 

Council. He is excited to be part of the council, 

and we will work on strengthening the relationship 

between the council and other CG associations, 

such as CPOA, CWOA, CGAAA, and other services’ 

retiree councils. 

Finally, some good news on the recruiting front. We 

appear to have met the recruiting goal of 4200 for 

fiscal year 2024 (there may even be a few more— 

won’t know until they all graduate), the first time since 

2017! That being said, we’re still at a deficit, and 

the CG will continue to need large recruit classes to 

close the workforce gap in a few years. So, please 

continue to spread the word, wear your CG shirts, 

hats and jackets, and help to bring great candidates 

to recruiting offices—we are all still eligible for $1000 

bonuses for each non-family recruit that makes it to 

Cape May and into a forming company. I hope you 

all have a good autumn! 

Thoughts on retirement: 

"In retirement, every 

day is Boss Day, and 

every day is Employee 

Appreciation Day." 

—Unknown 

MCPOCG JASON VANDERHADEN, USCG (RET): 

Greetings all, I am very happy to serve as your 

National Retiree Council Co-Chair with RADM 

Austin. I would like to express my deep admiration 

for Master Chief Lloyd Pierce’s vision, organization, 

and implementation of numerous improvements to the 

quality of life for the Coast Guard retiree community. 

I’m honored to follow in Lloyd’s footsteps. He has been 

a mentor to me for many years. Master Chief Pierce 

deserves a lot of recognition for his work. Thank you, 

Lloyd! I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with 

RADM Austin, Mr. Bob Hinds, and the regional retiree 

councils. I must admit that when I retired, I wasn’t 

aware there were regional retiree councils. I would like 

to raise awareness of the regional retiree councils and 

get more retirees involved in their regional councils. 

The National Retiree Council is also working with the 

Navy and Marine Corps Retiree Council to share best 

practices and learn from each other. 

I just returned from the National Chief Petty Officer’s 

Association convention. It was a lot of fun and always 

great to reunite with shipmates. We had the honor of 

installing Charlie Womack as the national president 

and Clara Wells as the vice president along with 

the other national officers. Sadly, CPOA Executive 

Director Randy Reid announced his retirement. Randy 

has been a phenomenal leader for the CPOA, and he 

will definitely be missed. I could write an entire article 

on the work Randy has done on behalf of the CPOA 

and the entire Coast Guard. Most of what he does 

is behind the scenes, but his dedication has 

benefited the lives of countless Coast Guard 

families. Thank you, Randy! 

I mention the Chief Petty Officer’s Association 

because it is a great place for retirees and 

annuitants to gather and talk about how things are 

going in retirement. We also have a lot of active-duty 

members who attend and keep us informed of what 

is going on in the Coast Guard today. Our activeduty 

members are also keenly interested in how things 

are going for us in retirement; many of them 

will be retirees at some point in the future. 

If you haven’t joined a veteran support 

organization like American Legion, VFW, 

MOAA, CWOA or CPOA, I would encourage you to 

spend the few bucks it takes to join and get active 

in the organization. I know you will benefi t from 

the interaction with fellow veterans and retirees. 

These organizations advocate for our benefits and 

entitlements while also giving you an opportunity to 

learn from others. 

Lastly, my goal is to be a servant leader to the 

retiree community and their families. With the strong 

support we receive from MCPOCG Jones, RADM 

Raymond, CAPT Henry at PPC, and the Coast Guard 

senior leader team, we will do our best to make a 

Coast Guard retirement something everyone can 

look forward to. The Coast Guard has always relied 

on strong retention to keep us Semper Paratus. It’s 

clear that the Coast Guard recognizes the value in 

a positive retirement experience as a key factor in 

retaining our best people. As retirees, I challenge you 

to stay involved. We still have an important role to play 

in Coast Guard mission success. 

MCPOCG Jason Vanderhaden, USCG (Ret.): 

jvanderhaden@gmail.com 

RADM Merrie Austin, USCG (Ret.): 

maustincgnrc@gmail.com 



7

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR 

U.S. COAST GUARD RETIREE INFORMATION 

A MESSAGE FROM 

THE DIRECTOR 

I want to extend my sincere appreciation to Captain John Henry and his staff at the CG Pay & 

Personnel Center (PPC) for graciously providing me an individual tour and hosting this year’s 

CG National Retiree Council (CGNRC) meeting August 5–7, 2024. 

Instead of holding this year’s annual meeting in D.C. as we usually do, we went to Topeka because 

we wanted to strengthen the communications between our retirees and PPC. The PPC staff provided 

outstanding briefings and individual staff members briefed the critical responsibilities they carry 

out. These exchanges allowed our council members to hear directly from the staff about what they 

do and why some of PPC’s processes are the way they are. Additionally, the staff was able to ask 

key questions of our Council members to better understand the frustrations faced by our retirees. 

During his kick-off of this year’s CGNRC meeting, VADM Thomas Allan, deputy commandant for 

mission support (DCMS), thanked the council for their continued volunteer service to the Coast Guard 

and retiree community and underscored the importance of “outcomes” relative to the council’s work. 

I’m pleased to share that I oversee all council initiatives and their outcomes, also formally sponsoring 

one of personal importance to me—planned publication of a CG Retiree & Survivor Final Affairs 

Desk Reference. 

ADM Kevin Lunday (VCG) and MCPOCG Heath Jones provided an annual update prior 

to closing the CGNRC meeting, also presenting MCPO Lloyd Pierce, USCG (Ret.), the CG 

Distinguished Public Service Award for his dedicated service as CGNRC co-chair during the 

past four years and welcoming MCPOCG Jason Vanderhaden, USCG (Ret.), as the new senior 

enlisted CGNRC co-chair. 

I believe this meeting helped strengthen the lines of communications between PPC and our retirees. 

Going forward, we will continue to improve our communications with an initiative related to better 

connecting with our Coast Guard Reserve retiree RET-2 population. I want to thank RADM Merrie 

Austin, USCG (Ret.), and MCPO Lloyd Pierce, CGNRC co-chairs, council members, and all who 

provided meeting presentations for helping to make this one of the most successful annual CGNRC 

meetings! 

Finally, I hope all readers received my letter in August 2024 announcing the upcoming change to 

mailing The Long Blue Line and providing instructions on how to “OPT-IN” to the National Coast 

Guard Museum Association mailing list—as also described in the letter polybagged with this issue 

and printed in previous issues. Thanks to all who’ve already 

made this election, reflecting the value of this publication, 

and “staying connected” with your Coast Guard and National 

Coast Guard Museum. 

My POC for this initiative is Mr. Robert Hinds, CG Retiree 

Services, Robert.C.Hinds@uscg.mil. 

Sincerely, 

M. W. Raymond 

Assistant Commandant for Military Personnel 

WREATHS 

ACROSS 

AMERICA 

By: LCDR Jim Armstrong, USCG (Ret.) 

Sector Ohio Valley Regional Retiree Council 

Sector Ohio Valley Regional Retiree Council 

(RRC) received its charter on September 

17, 2019, and is based in the Louisville, 

Kentucky, area. The Sector Ohio Valley 

RRC is a subsidiary of CG Base St. Louis’ 

RRC. Current Sector Ohio Valley RRC membership 

includes Coast Guard retirees from Kentucky, 

Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Every 

year, members of the Sector Ohio Valley RRC are 

involved in Sector activities such as Coast Guard 

Day picnics and cookouts with the Chief Petty 

Officer Association. In December each year, the 

Sector Ohio Valley RRC participates in the annual 

Wreaths Across America event, placing wreaths 

on American veteran graves at the Zachary Taylor 

National Cemetery located in Louisville, Kentucky. 

The Wreaths Across America organization is a 

non-profit organization, founded by Mr. Morrill 

Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Company. 

In 1992, Mr. Worcester began sending surplus 

Christmas wreaths at no cost to Arlington National 

Cemetery to be placed on veteran graves in time 

for Christmas. Since then, the Wreaths Across 

America organization has grown to become a 

huge organization, sending millions of Christmas 

wreaths each year to cemeteries in all 50 states, 

U.S. territories, and overseas cemeteries. Each 

year, approximately two weeks before Christmas day, 

wreaths are placed on American veteran graves by 

thousands of volunteers, to honor and remember our 

nation’s military heroes. In 2022, over 2.7 million wreaths 

were placed on veteran markers at 3,702 participating 

cemetery locations. When a wreath is laid on each 

veteran’s grave, it is customary for the presenter to 

approach the headstone, extend the wreath outward 

offering it to the veteran, place the wreath centered at 

the headstone with the bow positioned at the top, and 

say the veteran’s name aloud. If the wreath is presented 

by a fellow veteran, a hand salute is rendered as a sign 

of respect. 

The Wreaths Across America organization depends on 

annual donations from individuals and corporate sponsors 

to create and ship the millions of wreaths needed each 

year. Anyone interested in additional information about 

the Wreaths Across America organization, or wishing to 

sponsor a 2024 Christmas wreath, can visit their website 

at: 

https://www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org 

Coast Guard retirees living in the Kentucky, Indiana, 

Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia area, interested in 

becoming a member of the Sector Ohio Valley RRC, can 

contact Co-Chairperson Jim Armstrong at: 

James Armstrong@bellsouth.net 



9

REUNIONS, NOTICES & 

ITEMS OF INTEREST 

GUARDIANS OF THE GULF 

BY: Captain George K. Krietemeyer, USCG (Ret.) 

The popular book Guardians of the Gulf is now available 

from Amazon print on demand or Kindle. This book is a 

"must read" for anyone who was ever stationed in Mobile, 

Alabama. The book traces the history of the USCG in 

Mobile since 1819 when the USRC Alabama arrived 

for service. Every ship, aircraft, and lighthouse serving 

in Mobile is described in detail. Chapters describe the 

history of all major commands: ATC Mobile, Sector 

Mobile, Gulf Strike Team, and also provides information 

on the growth of Mobile and the USCG over the past 200 

years. Over 100 pictures provide details and preserve 

the rich history of our service. 

www.amazon.com/Guardians-Gulf-200-Year-History- 

1819-2019-ebook/dp/B0D7F6W89C 

PROVIDENCE ON THE HIGH SEAS 

BY: Stanley A. Jaceks, Senior Chief Petty Officer, USCG 

(Ret.) 

Book Features: 

• The Prinsendam Saga: Rescue of the burning Dutch 

cruise ship Prinsendam 

• Rescue of the floundering oil rig Dan Price 

• Rescue of the burning Panamanian steamship Grand 

Ocean 

• Seizure of the Soviet side trawler Armaturshchik 

Accessible at: 

www.gorhamprinting.com/book/Providence-On-The- 

High-Seas 

U.S. LIFE-SAVING SERVICE HERITAGE ASSOCIATION 

ABOUT US: The U.S. Life-Saving Service Heritage Association is dedicated to preserving our national 

life-saving treasures. Learn more at: uslife-savingservice.org 



11

THE 

RUPTURED 

DUCK 

During post-combat drawdowns after both world 

wars, our nation faced the signifi cant task of 

reintegrating hundreds of thousands of sailors, 

soldiers, marines, and airmen returning home 

from their tours. To recognize those who served 

honorably, the U.S. Department of War (now the 

Department of Defense) and the Navy collaborated 

to develop the Honorable Service Lapel Button and 

the Honorable Discharge Emblem. 

The lapel button was designed in 1939 by renowned 

sculptor Anthony de Francisci, who was known 

for his work on numerous U.S. coins and medals. 

The design depicted an eagle with its 

chest bursting with pride through a 

gold ring. The button measures 

approximately 7/16-inch in 

height and 5/8-inch in width 

and was meant to be worn 

on the left lapel of civilian 

clothing. 

Toward the end of WWII, clothing was being 

rationed. Active enlisted personnel were forbidden 

to possess civilian clothing unless under specific 

orders. Upon the war’s end, the immediate clothing 

needs of returning veterans threatened to overtax 

an already strained system. To mitigate this, service 

members were authorized to wear their uniforms 

for up to 90 days after discharge. A cloth emblem 

version of de Francisci’s lapel pin design was 

issued. The emblem was to be sewn on the right 

breast of the veteran’s uniform—serving as proof 

that the wearer had been honorably discharged. 

The button and emblem were also unofficially used 

as identifiers by transportation companies 

offering free or subsidized rides to the 

returning veterans. 

Despite the acclaim for de Francisci’s 

detailed engravings, the eagle motif 

on the Honorable Service Lapel 

Button ended up resembling 

a feathered friend of a slightly 

less patriotic stature—a duck. 

Veterans wasted no time 

coining their new button: the 

“ruptured duck.” 

The “ruptured duck” also appeared 

on a U.S. postage stamp honoring 



13

YN3 Grace M. Lilley, USCG SPAR 

The uniform seen on the previous page 

belonged to Grace M. Lilley (right in photo 

below), a former resident of Brewster, New 

York. 

Grace was born in the Bronx on February 

17, 1914. She attended public schools in the 

Bronx's Riverdale section. She received a 

bachelor's degree in liberal arts from 

Pace University at the age of 66. 

Grace became active in the Coast Guard 

Women's Reserve (a.k.a. the SPARs, an 

acronym for Semper Paratus Always Ready) 

during WWII. During her Coast Guard 

career, she achieved the rate of yeoman 

third-class petty officer. Seen on her 

WWII uniform is the ruptured duck emblem 

stitched on the right breast pocket flap. 

This uniform artifact currently resides 

at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Museum 

(curated by James Brundage). 

Grace retired in 1980 from a secretary 

position at the Garden Street School in 

Brewster. Prior to her position at the 

Garden Street School, she worked for 

Metropolitan Life in Manhattan. 

Grace passed the bar at the Kimball 

Hospital in Whiting New Jersey on May 

13, 1992. She was 78. (Photo courtesy 

of Donna Vojvodich, who started SPARs 

Stories in 2019.) 

World War II veterans 

and became a popular 

symbol of their service. 

The term "ruptured 

duck" later expanded 

to describe servicemen 

wearing the emblem, 

as in "that ruptured 

duck is fl ying spaceavailable." 

It also found 

usage describing 

someone or something 

moving quickly, as 

returning servicemen were often hastily heading 

homeward. Additionally, the eagle on the button faced 

to the right, which was the direction doctors instructed 

inductees to face during an examination for ruptures, 

adding to the inside joke among veterans. 

Regardless of how the button got its nickname, it will 

forever be remembered by those who served and 

became members of The Greatest Generation. 



15

Below: Breeches buoy during the rescue 

of the Great Northern in 1919. (photo: 

United States Library of Congress's Prints 

and Photographs division - photographer 

unknown) 

By: Renee Coleman, National Coast Guard Museum 

EVOLUTION 

OF SAR 

Even in its most primitive form, search and 

rescue has been the cornerstone of the 

Coast Guard’s mission set for centuries. 

The National Coast Guard Museum will 

afford visitors the opportunity to journey 

through the history and evolution of search and 

rescue (SAR), from the mission’s infancy to modernday 

practices. 

“The exhibit spaces of the museum will capture search 

and rescue efforts as basic as someone jumping off a 

pier to make a rescue or, in Idea Lewis’ case, walking 

across a sheet of ice to pull people out of the water, 

all the way to helicopter crews performing equally 

daring feats of rescue,” said Gabe Christy, curator 

for the National Coast Guard Museum. 

Search and rescue is a basic principle: someone is in 

distress and the Coast Guard answers the call, and 

that bias for action is an innate quality in the service’s 

long line of rescuers. 

Modern day search and rescue has come a long 

way since the 19th century when SAR could only 

be performed from the shore. Search and rescue 

contraptions such as the life-car and breeches buoy 

were bolstered by the grit of the brave surfmen who 

pioneered the U.S. Lifesaving Service. 

As time and technology edged on, SAR equipment 

has evolved to fi t the needs of the modern-day 

mariner. To this day, refinements are made to finetune 

SAR technology with the ability to provide 

precision coordinates of mariners in distress and 

facilitate life-saving measures—from the Atlantic 

Ocean to the mighty Bering Sea and the bodies of 

water in between. 

“The biggest difference between early search and 

rescue and what we do today is that early search and 

rescue was almost always done shore side,” Christy 

said. “Back then there wasn’t a way for shore-based 

units to communicate beyond line of sight with a 

vessel or person in distress.” 

Above: Passing from ship to ship in the Mid-Atlantic, Dr. Kemp H. Dowdy, P.A. surgeon, U.S. Public Health Service, nimbly glides 

the foamy crest of an ocean wave. He is riding a breeches buoy from his Coast Guard combat cutter to a merchant ship to give 

medical assistance to a stricken seaman. (photo: National Archives - taken between 1939–1967) 

The exhibit spaces of the museum 

will capture search and rescue efforts 

as basic as someone jumping off a 

pier ... all the way to helicopter crews 

performing equally daring feats of 

rescue. 



17

In the 1800s, the U.S. Lifesaving Service adopted a 

professional and fairly standardized approach to 

search and rescue. If a vessel became stranded 

on a rock or in shoal water close to shore, the 

crew would shoot off a flare, which would be 

seen by a U.S. Lifesaving Service surfman. The 

surfman would approximate a location of 

the vessel, return to the station, and alert 

the keeper. The keeper would assemble 

the crew and load up the beach cart, 

which was a two-wheeled wooden cart. 

The cart held a Lyle gun, breeches buoy 

and/or a life-car, and other SAR equipment. 

“This cart was pulled by a crew of six men by 

physically strapping ropes around their chests,” 

Christy said. “The crew would pull the cart down 

the beach within eyesight of the stranded vessel to 

position the Lyle gun. The Lyle gun was used to fire 

a rope from shore to ship and send out either the 

life-car or breeches buoy.” 

The breeches buoy was developed in the mid-19th 

century and is essentially a life ring with a pair of 

pants sewn on the inside. It could hold the weight of 

1-2 people. Once the breeches buoy made its way 

to the vessel in distress, the surfmen would use a 

pulley system to run the buoy to and from the vessel 

until the ship’s crew was safely ashore. 

“Even though it was an incredibly simple system, it 

worked surprisingly well and was in fairly regular use 

until the mid-20th century,” Christy said. 

The other system used was a life-car. 

The biggest 

difference between 

early search and rescue 

and what we do today is that early 

search and rescue was almost always 

done shore side. 

A U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer 

is lowered to the ground while 

conducting hoist rescue simulation 

training at Selfridge Air National Guard 

Base in Michigan. (photo: Photo by 

Staff Sgt. Andrew Schumann) 

“If you think of a sheet metal boat with a metal dome 

and two large chains with rings on either end, that’s 

the life-car,” Christy said. “The pulley-style system 

to get it out to a vessel in distress was similar to the 

system used for the breeches buoy.” 

A life-car could theoretically hold 4-6 people, 

depending on their size. 

“The advantage of a life-car is that those being 

rescued were protected from the elements while 

being brought to shore,” Christy said. “The 

breeches buoy is a different experience in that the 

survivors were completely exposed to the elements. 

Regardless of the method, the journey back to shore 

probably wasn’t pleasant for anyone involved, but at 

least they got to shore, which is still a better option 

than being stranded at sea.” 

This all fared well for mariners who were stranded 

within eyesight of a surf station, but vessels in distress 

miles from shore had few options. If a vessel was lost 

at sea, another sea-going ship might find debris or 

survivors if a small rescue boat was deployed from 

the vessel in distress. Aside from that, there wasn’t 

much else that could be done. That slowly changed 

in the early 1900s. 

“It wasn’t until circa 1906 when shipboard 

communication became standardized and the first 

international radio telegraph convention adopted SOS 

as the international distress signal,” Christy said. 

From 1906 to present day, the advent of modern 

technologies has greatly improved the chance of 

survival at sea. One such technology, the COSPAS 

Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking System 

(SARSAT), is touted as taking the “search” out of search 

and rescue. SARSAT is the international, humanitarian 

tracking system that provides emergency distress 

alerting and locating information to search and rescue 

authorities. 

The satellite system tracks and locates activated 

emergency beacons, whether it’s a personal locator 

beacon (PLB), emergency position-indicating radio 

beacon (EPIRB) or emergency locator transmitter 

(ELT). A PLB is typically carried on a person; an EPIRB 

is found aboard boats; and an ELT is used onboard 

aircraft. 

“The first search and rescue satellite came online in the 

mid-80s,” said Ed Thiedemen, a search and rescue 

systems specialist at Coast Guard Headquarters. “As a 

result of using the search and rescue satellite systems, 

we’ve been refining that technology and making 

improvements to these first-generation beacons.” 

In 2010, second-generation beacons were developed. 

In essence, it’s a similar technology to that of a mobile 

phone. It allows for more beacons to be operated 

simultaneously without interfering with each other, 

Thiedemen said. It enables rescuers to determine a 

more precise location of a mariner or vessel in distress. 

While all of this technology serves a purpose, it’s 

rendered useless if owners and operators fail to take 

the very necessary first step: the device needs to be 

registered. 

“We work with NOAA and the Department of the Air 

Force in advocacy of this technology,” said Cmdr. 

Stacy Teixeira, from Coast Guard SARSAT at Coast 

Guard headquarters. “We have a responsibility to 

educate mariners on how to properly use EPIRBs and 

PLBs because it could make a world of difference in a 

search and rescue scenario.” 

The education piece is a triangulation of the use and 

maintenance of the beacon, beacon registration, and 

disposal of the beacon. The Coast Guard relies on the 

Coast Guard Auxiliary to educate the boating public 

on beacon registration through courtesy inspections 

and boardings. The Coast Guard also reinforces 

the significance of the technology during regulatory 

enforcement boardings and through regular public 

outreach. 

Whether it’s by land or sea, the Coast Guard stands 

always ready to answer the call of those in distress. 

Today’s technology enables rescuers to perform in 

robust environments with pin-point accuracy. As the 

world becomes more dynamic and the Coast Guard 

continues to adapt, your National Coast Guard Museum 

will highlight the brave surfmen who paved the way for 

the service’s modern-day rescuers. 



19

By Brian R. McMahon, US Coast Guard Auxiliary 

A LAST 

ROAR 

FROM 

THE 

ROARING 

TWENTIES 

BORN SOON AFTER WORLD 

WAR I, STANLEY BERMAN, A 

U.S. COAST GUARD COMBAT 

VETERAN OF WORLD WAR II, 

TELLS HIS STORY 

Although 103-years-old, Mr. Berman was lucid and eager 

to talk about his experiences in the Pacific War, though 

his failing hearing necessitated that I ask questions 

into a mic that was directly connected to headphones 

that he wore. We started the interview by having him 

relate his situation in 1944 when he was age 24, recently 

married to Anita, and certain that he would be drafted 

into the Army. Summoned for the draft board’s physical 

in Boston, he noticed a trail of yellow footprints on the 

floor. He followed them to the U.S. Coast Guard recruiting 

station. He promptly joined up, rather than risk being 

drafted into the Army. 

40mm 

USS LST 763 beached at Iwo Jima, date unknown. Note: 

Mt. Suribachi in the distant background. (Photo by Erwin 

“Erv” Windward USNR, CO, USS LST 643) 



21

MR. BERMAN’S LST 763 

SAW SOME BLOODY ACTION, 

LANDING TROOPS ASHORE ON 

IWO JIMA AND OKINAWA AND 

EARNING TWO BATTLE STARS. 

Mr. Berman’s first duty station was Newport, Rhode 

Island. He was assigned to the Coast Guard’s beach 

patrol, preventing spies and saboteurs from landing 

ashore in dinghies launched from U-Boats—as had 

happened at Amagansett on Long Island, New York, 

and Ponte Vedra, Florida. He also served on a harbor 

fireboat which was called on to extinguish a blaze 

on a moored freighter. According to Mr. Berman, 

there was no boot camp for new Coast Guardsmen 

in 1944, it was all on-the-job training. 

During WWII, the Coast Guard came under the 

Navy, and many Navy troop transports, landing 

craft, and fleet auxiliaries had Coast Guard crews. 

Mr. Berman’s next duty station was part of the 

commissioning crew of USS LST 763 (Landing 

Ship, Tank) that was completed in Ambridge, 

Pennsylvania, in just 10 weeks. To join the Pacific 

War, the LST headed west on the Ohio River and 

then south down the Mississippi River to New 

Orleans with her complement of 13 officers and 104 

crewmembers. The amphibious assault ship then 

steered southwest to the Panama Canal and then 

north to San Diego. 

It took some time for Mr. Berman to get accustomed 

to the close quarters of a ship underway, but he 

made some friends that endured for decades 

after the war. Like many Coast Guard and Navy 

veterans, they scheduled annual reunions around 

the country to swap reminiscences while their 

wives would catch up on how their children were 

doing. He was disgusted with LST 763’s captain 

who was an incompetent alcoholic, never attended 

a reunion, and was universally disparaged for not 

giving a farewell address to the crew when LST 

763 returned home from the war. In contrast, Mr. 

Berman respected the ship’s executive officer, who 

was demanding but fair. 

Mr. Berman had never been to sea, and an LST is 

slow (“8 to 10 miles per hour”) because of the blunt 

clamshell doors that form the bow and the way it 

would roll heavily in ocean waves due to ship’s flat 

bottom. It was the only type of assault ship that 

was designed to be run up on a beach to disgorge 

troops, tanks, and supplies. As it approached the 

beach, an LST would fill ballast tanks near the stern 

so that the bow angled higher, then the crew would 

lower a Danforth anchor at the stern. The LST would 

intentionally run aground on the shore, unload the 

Upper: Coast Guardsman Stanley Berman with his 

wife Anita; they were married in 1944 shortly before he 

headed out on LST 763. (photo courtesy of Judi Berman 

[daughter]). 

Lower: Crewmen feeding four-round HE-T/SD [40 mm] 

ammunition clips on USS Alaska CB-1 in 1945. (photo 

courtesy U.S. Naval Historical Center) 

147 Marine infantry men and their 16 officers, reload 

the LST with casualties, and then winch in the anchor 

rode to “kedge” the 328 foot ship off the beach. 

Mr. Berman’s LST 763 saw some bloody action, 

landing troops ashore on Iwo Jima and Okinawa, 

and earning two battle stars. Operational security 

meant that Mr. Berman couldn’t write home about 

his location, but when newspapers and newsreels 

back home showed his LST at Iwo Jima, his family 

learned where he was. He was gently chided by his 

new wife for forgetting to send her a valentine. 

Like many WWII warships and aircraft, USS LST 763 

had a short service life: it was decommissioned in 

1946 and sold for scrap in 1947. 

During general quarters, Mr. Berman was an 

ammunition loader of a twin Bofors 40 mm gun that 

flung two-pound explosive shells up to three nautical 

miles. The Bofors 40 mm twin and quad mount guns 

became the main anti-aircraft battery on board Navy 

and Coast Guard ships during WWII. 

Firing at a rate of 140 rounds per minute per barrel, 

teamwork among the two loaders was essential in 

keeping the guns fed. With this rate of fire, it didn’t 

take long for the barrels to heat to a cherry red color 

after burning off their haze gray paint. When asked 

about the fear experienced by the LST’s crew during 

combat, Mr. Berman revealed that one loader froze 

up and began shaking violently. He was forcefully 

replaced and sent below in disgrace, but Mr. 

Berman sympathized with the sailor’s plight. 

Running an amphibious assault ship onto a 

defended beach is a scary endeavor. Enemy troops 

would begin firing artillery as soon as LSTs were 

within range, and then launch mortar shells and 

fire machine guns as the landing craft approach 



23

the shore. While grounded, the LSTs were an even 

easier target. Mr. Berman recalls that parts of LST 

763’s superstructure were riddled with bullet holes 

and “looked like Swiss cheese” after the Iwo Jima 

invasion. LST 763 was pounded from the air, too, as 

Japanese planes strafed and bombed the shoreline. 

Because Navy Hellcats and Corsairs swooped in 

after the Zeros and Bettys, gun crews on LST 763 

were told to fire only at shore targets, to prevent any 

“friendly fire” incidents. Mr. Berman was frustrated 

when a Zero passed by “so close we couldn’t have 

missed it”, but the crew followed their orders. 

Mr. Berman was deeply affected by the sight of our 

flag being raised by the Marines on Mt. Suribachi, 

signifying victory. He was overcome by emotion even 

now when he remembered it. But it was the sight and 

the smell of the wounded, the dying, and the dead 

that deeply affected Mr. Berman. He choked up and 

cried when he thought of these Marine casualties 

returning after 80 years. 

An even worse experience for Mr. Berman was the 

Okinawa invasion. The Japanese began wide scale 

use of kamikaze suicide planes that made a one-way 

trip into US Navy warships, causing severe damage 

to them or sinking them outright. He witnessed the 

explosion on board a nearby aircraft carrier, probably 

USS Hancock, which was struck by a kamikaze near 

Okinawa. 

Hancock wasn’t alone. At Okinawa, the Japanese 

launched 1,500 attacks that damaged or sunk 149 

ships, killing 3,048 and injuring another 6,035 sailors. 

The battles raged into the night and Mr. Berman 

remembers explosions so fierce that some nights were 

as bright as day. An LST next to Mr. Berman’s LST 763 

was struck by a kamikaze and severely damaged. Some 

of its crew rescued by their sister ship. The butcher’ s 

bill was so high at Okinawa that all of hospital ships in 

the invasion fleet were soon overloaded with Marine, 

Army, Coast Guard, and Navy wounded. LSTs like Mr. 

Berman’s became auxiliary hospital ships by necessity, 

and Mr. Berman still remembers the all-night shrieks 

and wailing of the wounded that were brought on board 

with rage and tears as he told his story. After the war, 

Two Coast Guard-manned LSTs open their great jaws in 

the surf that washes on Leyte Island beach, as soldiers 

strip down and build sandbag piers out to the ramps to 

speed up unloading operations, 1944. (photo: National 

Archives) 

he suffered from what is now called Post Traumatic 

Stress Disorder due to his experiences. 

After Japan surrendered, LST 763 sailed to Japan as 

part of the occupation force. Mr. Berman was one of 

the few crewmembers allowed to go ashore. Despite 

the surrender, United States warships entered 

Japanese waters on high alert, and Mr. Berman and 

the rest of the shore party carried sidearms. They 

found devastation, fear and hatred, and were told 

that any food that would be offered to them might 

be poisoned. 

Servicemen were chosen to return home from the 

war in a sequence determined by a point system 

that included factors like time in service and time 

in combat. Even so, Mr. Berman’s ship did not 

sail into San Francisco Bay until 1946. When 

someone today says, “Thank you for your service,” 

Mr. Berman replies that it was his solemn duty to 

defend our country. He modestly states that he 

wasn’t unique; there were a million more just like 

him—who put service to their country first. 

Stanley Berman crossed the bar on August 20, 

2024, in Brighton, MA. He was 104. 

LEYET 

LSTS LIKE MR. BERMAN’S BECAME 

AUXILIARY HOSPITAL SHIPS BY 

NECESSITY, AND MR. BERMAN STILL 

REMEMBERS THE ALL-NIGHT SHRIEKS 

AND WAILING OF THE WOUNDED THAT 

WERE BROUGHT ON BOARD WITH RAGE 

AND TEARS AS HE TOLD HIS STORY. 



25

DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN 

REVOLUTION SUPPORT THE 

NATIONAL COAST GUARD MUSEUM 

Q&A 

The National Coast Guard Museum is a collaborative 

project that is funded by federal, state, and private 

donors to ensure this project is fiscally sustainable 

and responsible. Recently the National Society 

Daughters of the American Revolution made a 

significant gift to support the National Coast Guard 

Museum, and the National Coast Guard Museum 

Association had the opportunity to learn more about 

their organization and discuss why they chose to 

support our project. Meet Pamela Wright, President 

General of the Daughters of the National Society 

American Revolution (DAR). 

Q. Thank you so much for your support of 

the National Coast Guard Museum. For our 

readers, please tell us a bit about the DAR and 

its mission. 

The Daughters of the 

American Revolution was 

founded in 1890 as an 

organization for women 

descended 

Q&A 

from Patriots of 

the American Revolution to 

promote historic preservation, 

education, and patriotism in 

their communities. 

The Daughters of the American Revolution— 

often referred to as DAR—was founded in 1890 

as an organization for women descended from 

patriots of the American Revolution to promote 

historic preservation, education, and patriotism 

in their communities. With nearly 190,000 

members worldwide as well as a headquarters in 

Washington, D.C., we are one of the world’s largest 

non-profit, non-political volunteer women’s service 

organizations. I am honored to be serving as the 

current President General of the DAR and have 

been a DAR member for over 35 years. 

Q. Can you share with us more detail about DAR 

and its relationship with the United States Coast 

Guard, either historically or in recent history? 

The DAR has always made it our mission to support 

our active-duty military and veterans through service 



27

projects including volunteering and donations at the 

chapter, state, and national levels. We’ve had local 

chapters from California to Maine engage in projects 

to support USCG units, and nationally the DAR 

Project Patriot Committee has donated to initiatives 

such as the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Legare crew 

support and aid for Coast Guard members and 

families in Hawaii impacted by the Maui fires. 

Each year at Continental Congress, DAR’s annual 

membership convention, we take time to honor 

those who have served with a variety of awards. 

They include the Margaret Cochran Corbin Award 

for distinguished service by women in the military, 

the Dr. Anita Newcomb McGee Award/Army Nurse 

of the Year for a distinguished Army Nurse, several 

awards for VA hospital volunteer work given to 

a DAR member, military veteran, and a youth 

volunteer respectively, and the DAR Patriot Award 

which was established post 9/11 to honor a person 

who provides extraordinary service to protect 

America’s freedom. At our most recent Continental 

Congress in June 2024, we were honored to 

present the DAR Patriot Award to Admiral Linda 

Fagan, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. As 

the first woman to hold this position, as well as 

her history of dedication to our country, Admiral 

Fagan exemplifies the spirit of the DAR Patriot 

Award. Our membership was delighted to hear her 

empowering words at our National Defense Night 

ceremony. 

Q. At the National Coast Guard Museum, we 

are poised to honor those who have served 

and those who are serving. It seems while 

our organizations are very different, our vision 

and our interest in preserving the history of our 

country is paramount. Would you agree? 

Historic preservation, education, and patriotism are 

the main pillars of the DAR, and I agree that our two 

organizations hold all these ideals in high regard! 

As the 250th anniversary of our great country’s 

founding approaches in 2026, it is a privilege to 

be supporting the National Coast Guard Museum 

in its mission to honor those who have served and 

are serving, as well as educate the public on the 

importance of the Coast Guard. 

Q. When you think about a National Coast 

Guard Museum, what do you hope to learn, 

support and share with the public? 

I think that a National Coast Guard Museum is 

a splendid way to share the story of the Coast 

Guard with a broader audience. From exhibits to 

hands-on activities and the Innovation Lab geared 

specifically towards children, the Museum is set up 

to be an amazing landmark for visitors familiar and 

new to the important role of the Coast Guard in our 

country. As a resident of Houston, I have seen first 

hand the important role the Coast Guard plays in 

responding to natural disasters and am eternally 

grateful for their work. We are proud to be able to 

support the effort to build this historic museum. 

If you are interested in learning more about the 

DAR and membership, please visit their website 

at www.dar.org 

AT OUR MOST RECENT 

CONTINENTAL CONGRESS 

IN JUNE 2024, WE WERE 

HONORED TO PRESENT THE 

DAR PATRIOT AWARD TO 

ADMIRAL LINDA FAGAN, 

COMMANDANT OF 

THE U.S. COAST 

GUARD. 

Thank You 

for your incredible 

support! 



29

A LEGACY OF 

SERVICE AND 

SUPPORT: 

RETIRED ARMY 

LTC FREDRICK SEEGER 

HONORS HIS FATHER AT THE 

NATIONAL COAST GUARD MUSEUM 

Fredrick Seeger's father, Captain Loren Seeger, USCG (Ret.) † 

Fredrick Seeger’s connection to the National 

Coast Guard Museum runs deep, rooted 

in a legacy of service that spans multiple 

generations. His father, Captain Loren H. 

Seeger, was a 1932 graduate of the Coast 

Guard Academy—the last class to graduate from the 

Fort Trumbull campus before it moved to its current 

location. Loren Seeger was no ordinary officer; he 

went on to become Coast Guard Aviator #46 after 

completing fl ight school in 1936 and served the 

Coast Guard from 1932 to 1961. His career took 

him across the nation, from Galveston, Texas, to 

Cape May, New Jersey, Floyd Bennet Field, NY, San 

Diego, CA, Wilmington, NC, Commander 6th Patrol 

Bombing Squadron during WWII, and eventually, 

to his final assignment Washington, D.C. at Coast 

Guard HQ (Engineering), where he retired as a 

Captain. 

Fredrick grew up in a military family, and the 

disciplined life of the armed forces always appealed 

to him. “As a high school student in San Diego, I was 

drawn to the structured culture of the military,” he 

recalls. His desire to follow in his father’s footsteps 

led him to apply to the Coast Guard Academy. 

When he wasn’t accepted, another door opened as 

Fredrick was accepted into West Point. This marked 

the beginning of an impressive 27-year career in 

the U.S. Army, where he traveled the world as an 

infantry officer and pilot, flying missions in Korea, 

Fort Bragg, NC, and Germany. He also attended 

flight school, flying the Blackhawk helicopter, much 

like the Coast Guard’s Jayhawk, a comparison 

Fredrick makes with pride. 

One of the most meaningful moments of Fredrick’s 

career occurred at his West Point graduation in 

1977 when his father, Loren, now retired, donned a 

uniform for the first time in 16 years to commission 

his son as a Second Lieutenant. “He probably 

bought a new uniform just for the occasion,” Fredrick 

reflects fondly. The moment was a powerful symbol 

of the Seeger family’s dedication to service and the 

military. 

Fredrick’s philanthropic interests extend beyond his 

own service to the broader military community. He 

has been an active supporter of various museums, 

from the world-renowned Louvre to smaller military 

and aviation museums. “Museum culture really 

appeals to me,” Fredrick explains. “I observed and 

supported the building of the National Museum 

of the Army, and I was so impressed by their 

dedication. Now, as a Coast Guard brat, I’m proud 

to contribute to building and supporting the National 

Coast Guard Museum in honor of my father.” 

Fredrick’s involvement with the National Coast 

Guard Museum goes beyond fi nancial support. 

In 2022, he reached out to explore naming 

opportunities within the museum, working towards a 

total gift of $250,000. For Fredrick, this is more than 

just a monetary donation—it’s a way to honor his 

father’s legacy and the service of countless Coast 

Guard members. “They put their lives on the line 

for us every single day,” Fredrick says. “We should 

remember them for that. They deserve their day in 

the sun with a National Coast Guard Museum.” 

When asked about his vision for the museum, 

Fredrick is clear: “My hope for the National Coast 

Guard Museum is to tell the story. Tell the story of 

the United States Coast Guard—its people, families, 

equipment, military operations, and incredible 

impact from its founding in 1790 through today.” 

Fredrick’s commitment to the museum is a 

testament to his deep respect for the Coast Guard 

and the men and women who serve in it. He sees 

the museum not just as a place to preserve history, 

but as a living tribute to the values of service, 

sacrifi ce, and dedication that the Coast Guard 

embodies. His contributions ensure that the legacy 

of those who have served, including his own father, 

will be remembered and celebrated for generations 

to come. 

the 

NATIONAL COAST GUARD MUSEUM ASSOCIATION'S 

MATCHING CHALLENGE 

DOUBLE YOUR 

IMPACT 

$150,000 Matching Gift Challenge 

From now until December 31, 2024, 

Fredrick Seeger will match the gifts from 

supporters like you up to a total of $150,000! 

Make your contribution today to ensure 

your gift will be doubled in value! 

visit: www.cgmuseumassociation.org/YearEnd 

Captain Loren H. Seeger, Coast Guard Aviator #46, who went 

on to have a distinguished 29-year career in the Coast Guard. 



31

PORTRAITS OF SERVICE 

There are thousands of untold stories that are not in the history books. The Long Blue Line is 

a fantastic platform to share your personal journeys from the diverse mission sets of the Coast 

Guard. 

We are excited to provide a place where readers can share their Coast Guard story. We’ve 

made it easy for you with a simple questionnaire at longblueline.org 

TELL YOUR STORY! 

affairs officer; press secretary to the Coast Guard 

commandant; assistant commandant of cadets, 

commandant of cadets, and chief of personnel, 

and support services at CGA. 

During his career, John earned two consecutive 

CDR Jim Simpson awards for the most outstanding 

public affairs offi ce in the Coast Guard and 

received an honorable mention for the Alex Haley 

award for his efforts as a Coast Guard author. 

In addition, he was the on-scene director of all 

Coast Guard communications during the recovery 

mission after John F. Kennedy Jr.’s tragic plane 

crash. 

As commanding officer of Confidence, in two years 

the ship safely rescued over 1,200 migrants and 

was the second cutter to arrive on scene in the Gulf 

of Mexico after Hurricane Katrina, providing relief 

supplies and helping reestablish 

commerce on 

the Mississippi River. 

As executive offi cer on 

the Legare, the ship 

was deployed for three 

months with the Navy’s 

Sixth Fleet conducting operations and training with 

maritime nations in the Mediterranean and Black 

Seas. 

John retired in 2012. He has remained active by 

continuing to serve his nation working for the U.S. 

Attorney’s Office in Connecticut as an intelligence 

specialist and liaison to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism 

Task Force. He also volunteers as a little league 

coach and is chairman of his town’s annual 

Memorial and Veterans Day Parades. 

This past year, he authored the unique children’s 

book U.S. COAST GUARD A B SEAS with a goal 

of educating both children and adults about 

the Coast Guard through colorfully detailed 

illustrations, Coast Guard/maritime examples for 

every letter of the alphabet, and little-known facts 

about the Coast Guard. In typical Coast Guard 

teamwork fashion, John was able to work with a 

gifted illustrator, Audrey Gaynier, who brought 

the book’s illustrations to life. A 2017 graduate 

of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Audrey has 

combined her love of the Coast Guard with her 

passion for painting through her nautical chart art 

business Chart Art by Aud. 

CAPT John Fitzgerald, USCG (Ret.) 

Connecticut 

United States Coast Guard Captain John 

Fitzgerald (Ret.) grew up in Floral Park, New 

York, and graduated from Chaminade High 

School on June 25, 1983. Forty-eight hours 

after graduation, he reported to the U.S. Coast 

Guard Academy (CGA) where he began his 

Coast Guard career. 

He graduated from the academy in 1987 with 

a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and 

subsequently served aboard 

the Coast Guard cutters 

Midgett, Hamilton, Legare, , and 

would go on to command the 

cutter Confidence. . His other 

tours included: commanding offi cer of LORAN 

Station Kure Island, Hawaii; a Ninth District 

OPCEN Controller; was selected to attend Boston 

University where he earned a master’s degree 

in mass communications; LANTAREA public 



33

Academic Achievements and Early Life 

CDR Yardley Selwyn Bailey, USCGR (Ret.) 

Dr. Yardley Selwyn Bailey lived a life of outstanding 

academic achievement. He earned four degrees 

from the University of Alabama (UA) and eventually 

served as the assistant vice chancellor for academic 

and student affairs and as the director of institutional 

research at the university. 

Bailey, an Alabama native, grew up in Birmingham 

where his family was deeply rooted in the 

community. His mother was a schoolteacher. His 

father was an insurance salesman, who once owned 

a small coal mining operation in Alabama. 

Bailey’s father was also an avid sportsman, boater, 

and fisherman. He often took young Yardley along 

on boating adventures. Yardley often remembered 

those excursions filled with rough waters and 

seasickness, but his father would have argued 

otherwise. 

Path to the Coast Guard 

Years before his academic accomplishments, a 

17-year-old Yardley Bailey visited the local Air Force 

recruiting office. He was inspired by his brother 

Alabama 

James, the first African American to graduate 

from UA's ROTC program and an Air Force pilot in 

Vietnam. However, the Air Force recruiter did not 

make a good impression on him that day. 

After leaving the Air Force recruiting office, 

Bailey noticed a boat model in the Coast Guard 

recruiter’s office window and thought, "I can do 

that." Convinced that the Coast Guard was the 

right fit, he enlisted in the Selective Reserve in June 

1978. He attended boot camp at Training Center 

Alameda, where he joined the marching band as a 

saxophonist. Upon graduation, he was assigned to 

Reserve Unit Birmingham, located at the river port 

and rail terminal on the Locust Fork of the Black 

Warrior River. 

Academic Pursuits and Career Development 

Upon returning from recruit training, Bailey decided 

to attend college. His father had one stipulation: it 

must be an in-state school. UA was the obvious 

choice, and Yardley began his lifelong relationship 

with the university, graduating with a degree in 

the field of broadcast and film communications. 

Initially planning a television network career in 

New York City, Bailey found opportunities to be 

limited. Following his father’s advice, he returned to 

Tuscaloosa for graduate school. 

After earning his first of two master’s degrees and 

working for UA's Department of Educational Media, 

Bailey was hired full-time. Around this time, his future 

wife, Kim, an Indiana native moved to Tuscaloosa 

after graduating from Indiana University. In 1994, 

she began working for UA in academic affairs 

and later moved to the Information Technology 

Department. They met when Kim was tasked with 

interviewing a graduate student. Although it may not 

have been love at first sight, they married seven 

years later. 

Coast Guard Service and Contributions 

Remaining in the reserve, Bailey became a rated 

Port Securityman (PS), providing shore and portside 

security, shipping and receiving operations, 

and risk assessments. Rising to chief petty officer, 

PSC Bailey decided to make an extraordinary 

change by applying for, and being accepted to, 

Reserve Officer Candidate Indoctrination (ROCI). 

He received his commission as an ensign and 

was assigned as a marine safety officer, all while 

continuing his full-time employment at UA until his 

retirement. 

In 2010, then-Lieutenant Commander Bailey 

was assigned to the United States Coast Guard 

Academy as an admissions officer. He applied his 

skills as a researcher and university administrator 

to improve the enrollment of minority and female 

candidates. His efforts were instrumental in 

developing the diverse classes of 2014 through 

2019—the most diverse period in the academy’s 

history. His accomplishments included increasing 

funding, expanding recruiting initiatives, updating 

admissions technology, hosting admissions 

programs on and off the academy, and innovative 

marketing campaigns. 

Legacy and Final Farewell 

Retiring as a commander in 2016 after 38 years of 

service, Bailey continued to serve in leadership roles 

on various boards and committees in Birmingham. 

He was involved with the Leadership Tuscaloosa 

Program Committee, the Alabama Association of 

Institutional Research, the West Alabama Chapter 

of the American Red Cross, 100 Black Men of West 

Alabama, and other organizations. 

Sadly, CDR Yardley S. Bailey, USCGR (Ret.), 

succumbed to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) 

on January 19, 2024. His dedication to our nation 

and the development of future leaders will have 

an enduring impact on our service. Fairwinds and 

following seas, sir. We have the watch. 

TELL US YOUR STORY 

Tell us your incredible Coast Guard 

stories and what the National Coast 

Guard Museum means to you, and your 

profile may be featured in the next issue 

of the Long Blue Line. 

www.longblueline.org 

CORRECTION: 

In Captain Robert William's Portrait of Service 

in our summer issue, we incorrectly stated 

that Williams served as the first group 

commander, Humboldt Bay, California. He 

actually served as first commanding officer 

of Air Station Arcata, California. In addition, his 

state of residence is Florida rather than Texas. 

PORTRAITS OF SERVICE 



35

U.S. COAST GUARD INFORMATION AUXILIARY 

AUXILIARY - RDC 

PARTNERSHIP 

BUILDS FUTURE 

OF PATON 

VERIFICATION 

By: Leslie Schwartz, RDC Auxiliary Unit - AVA 

Development Team; BC-PSE, Auxiliary National 

Prevention Directorate & 

Matthew Thompson, AUXPA3 

In 2022, Commandant Admiral Linda Fagan 

communicated her vision for “a more 

adaptive and connected Coast Guard that 

generates sustained readiness, resilience, 

and capability…” Complementing the 

commandant’s directive, the USCG Auxiliary's 

strategic plan calls for meeting Coast Guard 

capability needs by resourcing members' 

professional backgrounds and experience. 

An existing national auxiliary unit dedicated to 

supporting the USCG Research and Development 

Center (RDC) already reflects this vision. Formally 

established in 2020 by First District Commodore 

Thomas Allen, Commodore Bill Bowen, and 

" In 2022, 

Commandant 

Admiral 

Linda Fagan 

communicated 

her vision for “a 

more adaptive 

and connected 

Coast Guard 

that generates 

sustained 

readiness, 

resilience, and 

capability…" 

AUXILIARY 

U.S. COAST GUARD INFORMATION 



37


Auxiliarist Captain Bruce Buckley, the unit engages 

auxiliarists with relevant private sector skills to fill 

identified resource and personnel gaps associated 

with the development of RDC products. While 

the auxiliary has historically been integral to the 

RDC, this specialized auxiliary unit has become 

increasingly involved with the RDC team. Most 

recently, the fi rst full partnership between the 

auxiliary and RDC was forged with the execution 

of RDC Portfolio Project 1020: Private Aids to 

Navigation Verification (PATON) Improvements. 

The Coast Guard administers 41,000 PATON 

nationwide and is required to inspect them 

periodically to ensure proper function and 

compliance with Coast Guard regulations. Due to 

the vast number of permitted PATON across the 

country, active-duty personnel rely heavily on the 

auxiliary for assistance with verifi cation reports 

associated with this mission. 

However, the current PATON verification reporting 

process is time-consuming and manually intensive 

for both auxiliary and active-duty personnel. It 

relies heavily on handwritten notes and typed 

forms. Thus, it is highly susceptible to human error, 

leading to inconsistencies in how PATON data are 

recorded in the Aids to Navigation Information 

System (ATONIS) database nationwide. To update 

and improve accuracy in the reporting process, the 

RDC team surveyed all districts to find alternative 

methods of managing and reporting on PATON. 

The team identified and selected an existing tool— 

Aid Verification Assistant (AVA)—to develop into an 

enterprise-capable method to help modernize and 

enhance efficiency in the PATON reporting process. 

AVA is a mobile application created specifically for 

the Coast Guard Auxiliary and active-duty Coast 

Guard by auxiliarist and retired engineer Clint 

O'Connor. It automates and simplifi es multiple 

PATON project / AVA Overview Video: 

https://www.dvidshub.net/video/912702/coast-guardauxiliary-completes-private-aids-navigation-verification-app 

steps, reducing both the time and workforce 

needed to process data obtained by trained 

verifiers on PATON missions. AVA eliminates many 

sources of manual errors and increases confidence 

in reports through GPS accuracy, data integrity, 

and annotated photographs. 

AVA was in continuous development for five years 

by Auxiliarist O'Connor and used successfully 

in District 7 prior to its association with Project 

1020 (Private Aids to Navigation Verification 

Improvements). With RDC sponsorship, auxiliary 

leadership, and contributions from CG-NAV (the 

Coast Guard Headquarters staff element that 

addresses navigation), AVA has matured into a 

highly accessible application ready for nationwide 

use. As a state-of-the-art tool, AVA streamlines 

reporting and data collection processes for PATON 

missions. AVA will streamline how the Coast Guard 

documents PATON information, provide valuable 

insights into how each district performs, and record 

verifications. It will also allow the Coast Guard to 

evaluate and develop potential solutions to improve 

efficiency and effectiveness, such as eliminating 

manual data re-entry into ATONIS. Ultimately, 

AVA will allow the Coast Guard and Coast Guard 

Auxiliary to maximize limited resources to meet 

waterways management demands and challenges 

in new and innovative ways. 

Admiral Fagan told us, “Tomorrow looks different. 

So will we...” Fitting hand in glove with the 

commandant's vision is the RDC motto From 

Here...You Can See Tomorrow. Together, the 

RDC and auxiliary are ensuring that the Coast 

Guard will indeed be able to enhance our nation’s 

maritime safety, security, and prosperity— 

tomorrow and beyond. 

AV ASSISTANT FOR 

USCG / AUXILIARY 

2021 CAPTAIN NIELS P. THOMSEN INNOVATION AWARD: 

AUXILIARY ACHIEVEMENT 

AV Assistant is an app designed for reporting ATON and PATON verifications and discrepancies. 

It replaces an array of separate tools (GPS unit, camera, notepad, printed NAVCEN info), and 

virtually eliminates manual errors associated with processing a paper 7054. Smartphones and 

tablets have GPS, cameras, and internet connectivity built- in, so with AV Assistant, everything 

needed is contained in one simple, efficient, ready-to-go device. 

AV ASSISTANT: 

• tracks your location with internal or external 

GPS 

• downloads a district Light List (LL) and Local 

Notices to Mariners (LNM) 

• shows all lights surrounding your location 

• automatically detects when an aid might not 

be on its Assigned Position (AP) 

• automatically tags photos with data and 

includes them in the 7054 PDF 

JUST ONE TAP: 

• provides the bearing and distance from your 

location to an aid 

• displays current LL data and LNM corrections 

on an aid 

• starts a 7054 report on the aid with many 

fields auto-filled 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: 

Scan the QR code or go to 

atons.us/uscgaux 

(Link intended for USCG and Auxiliary use only.) 

AUXILIARY 




39


The balmy summer months are busy 

for the Grand Haven, Michigan, area 

with an influx of summer beachgoers, 

boaters, fishermen seeking the cool 

waters of Lake Michigan, and shoppers 

browsing the downtown stores. However, the 

last week of July and the first week of August 

are always the busiest as they mark the annual 

Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival, a 10- 

day event celebrating the community’s longstanding 

relationship with the U.S. Coast Guard. 

The festival is known to attract more than a 

quarter million visitors to the small vacation 

town with a year-round population of just over 

10,000. This year, it is estimated that nearly 

A PARTY 

YEARSIN 

THE 

MAKING 

By: Rob Kumpf, AUXPA1 & 

Matt Thompson, AUXPA2 National Branch Chief – Publication Support 

half a million people attended the centennial 

celebration, held July 26 – August 3, that 

included a community picnic, multiple parades, 

cardboard boat races, demonstrations by the 

U.S. Coast Guard Silent Drill Team and local 

Air Stations, the National Coast Guard Memorial 

Service, and so much more. 

A year of planning goes into making the 

Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival a success. 

This year’s planning included coordination 

with the commandant’s staff at Coast Guard 

Headquarters, the Ninth District, four U.S. 

cutters, one Canadian Coast Guard ship, and 

an array of local partners who tallied thousands 

of hours of prep work and were led by a small 

Top: The USCGC Buckthorn was open to the public for tours along with three other cutters: the Mobile Bay, Morro 

Bay, and SPAR. (Coast Guard Photo by Matt Thompson, USCGAUX) 

Bottom Left: Color Guard from Station Grand Haven leads the Grand Parade ahead of the commandant of the U.S. 

Coast Guard, ADM Linda Fagan. (Coast Guard Photo by John Saran, AUXPA1) 

Bottom Right: The annual Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival, which draws more than 300,000 visitors drew a larger 

crowd this year due to the 100th anniversary of the festival. (Coast Guard Photo by Matt Thompson, USCGAUX) 

AUXILIARY 




41


office staff of four, a committee of volunteers, 

and local Coast Guard leadership at Sector 

Field Office Grand Haven, and Station Grand 

Haven. 

All that preparation and planning paid off when 

the ships paraded from Lake Michigan into 

the Grand River to the cheers of thousands of 

fl ag-waving spectators. Behind the scenes, 

SFO Grand Haven commanding officer, LCDR 

Paul Larouche, served as the festival’s incident 

commander. He was assisted by Mr. Jeffrey 

Hieb from Sector Lake Michigan Emergency 

Management and Master Chief Kyle Thomas, 

the officer-in-charge of Station Grand Haven. 

Serving under LCDR Larouche was a dedicated 

team of nearly 100 active-duty, reserve, 

and auxiliary personnel performing incident 

command, public affairs, and operational 

duties in support of the festival. The enhanced 

mobile incident command post (EMICP) team 

from Coast Guard Communications Command, 

under the supervision of Petty Officer Second 

Class Vincent Ricci, enabled the Coast Guard 

Festival incident management team to maintain 

oversight while remaining out of the way of local 

units. 

Support from the Coast Guard Auxiliary, 

led by Rob Kumpf, division 31 commander, 

allowed active-duty and reserve Coast Guard 

personnel to breathe by assuming the primary 

responsibility for the festival public affairs 

and cutter tour missions. Auxiliarist Matthew 

Thompson, division 31 public affairs offi cer, 

led the public affairs team consisting of nearly 

20 photographers who covered every festival 

event from multiple angles—including by 

air aboard Coast Guard helicopters from air 

stations Traverse City and Detroit and underway 

on the SPAR and Station Grand Haven’s 45-foot 

response boat medium. The cutter tours were 

a large success seeing thousands of visitors 

aboard Coast Guard cutters SPAR, Morro Bay, 

Mobile Bay, and Buckthorn as well as Canadian 

Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley throughout 

their stay in Grand Haven. The auxiliary also 

provided safety patrols aboard their famed 

Operational Facility 44359, one of the last 44- 

foot motor lifeboats in Coast Guard Auxiliary 

service. The auxiliary made a large showing, 

with nearly 70 auxiliarists volunteering in 

various capacities throughout the festival, with 

volunteers coming from as far as California, 

New York, and Missouri. 

The festival concluded on August 3 with the 

Grand Parade headed by ADM Linda Fagan, 

commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, and a 

rock concert that included massive fireworks 

displays and over 200 drones. After the parade, 

Auxiliary National Commodore Gus Formato 

presented an Honorary Commodore award 

to the family of CDR Mike Smith (USCG, Ret.). 

CDR Smith served on the Grand Haven Festival 

Committee for 17 years and transformed it into 

the national celebration that it is today. He was 

instrumental in having the city of Grand Haven 

designated Coast Guard City USA and was a 

friend and supporter to thousands in the Grand 

Haven community and Coast Guard family. 

CDR Smith crossed the bar in April 2023. 

From a small community picnic and a skills 

demonstration in 1924 to a massive 10- 

day celebration topped off with fireworks 

and drones, the Grand Haven Coast Guard 

Festival has certainly come a long way in its 

first century. The festival committee is hopeful 

that the tone set this year will 

continue into the second 

century of celebrating the 

men & women of the United 

States Coast Guard. 

Coastie the Safety 

Boat also made an 

appearence during 

the festival. (Coast 

Guard Photo by 

Matt Thompson, 

USCGAUX) 



43

U.S. COAST GUARD INFORMATION ACTIVE DUTY 

RECALLING THE 

MAUI WILDFIRE 

DISASTER 

AND THE COAST GUARD’S 

COORDINATED RESPONSE 

By Jason Allred, MyCG Web Editor 

Lahaina, Maui, once the capital of the 

Hawaiian kingdom, is a picture-perfect 

representation of beauty. The sun shining, 

waves crashing, and whales breaching are 

breathtaking. Tourists flock to the valley isle 

to unwind and relax from their hectic lives, 

while locals exude deep-rooted pride in the 

island and share the renowned aloha spirit 

with millions of visitors each year. This idyllic 

landscape forever changed on August 8, 

2023, when an extreme wind event coupled 

with low humidity and dry grasses ignited 

and became known as the West Maui 

Wildfires. 

At approximately 7 p.m., the Coast Guard’s 

Marine Safety Team Maui (MST) received a 

call indicating numerous people had been 

forced into the ocean to escape flames 

from the burning town of Lahaina. On 

this particular Tuesday evening, Lt. Brian 

Christina, the detached duty supervisor, 

was at home spending time with his family 

when he got the call. "Lahaina is on fire 

and over 100 people have been forced into 

the ocean," Lt. Christina recalls. “Without 

hesitation, I told my wife I had to go in and 

left the house immediately.” 

The MST is a three-person unit tasked 

with carrying out Sector Honolulu’s Marine 

Safety mission across the four islands of 

Maui County. Additionally, the team fulfills 

Incident Command Structure (ICS) positions 

Lahaina is on fire and 

over 100 people have been 

forced into the ocean 

A long-exposure photograph of Lahaina on the night 

of August 8 to 9 from South Maui — the curved 

streaks are star trails, not embers. (photo: Wtp22 / 

Wikipedia - creative common license) 

ACTIVE DUTY 




45


at the Maui County Emergency Operations 

Center (EOC). As an isolated unit, the team 

works tirelessly to establish and maintain 

partnerships with the Maui County EOC 

staff, maritime stakeholders, and a variety 

of state and local agencies. This emphasis 

was put to the test that evening as an allhands 

on deck response was beginning to 

take shape. 

Realizing this situation was escalating 

quickly from a manageable fire to a full- 

blown disaster, it was clear to CWO Drew 

Wall, MST Maui’s marine inspector, that 

this was a major incident from the moment 

he arrived to the EOC. “I entered and saw 

assistant fire chiefs, police LT’s, mayors’ 

staff, the EOC managers, and mid-grade 

National Guard officers and proceeded to 

where the Coast Guard normally resides 

during training. Though this was unlike any 

training, everyone remained calm—but the 

air was thick with anxiety.” 

The image above shows the signature of the fire at 10:25 p.m. local time on August 8, 2023, as observed by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) 

on the Landsat 8 satellite. Much of Lahaina, a town with a resident population of nearly 13,000 people, appeared to be on fire at the time of 

the image. Another large fire burned northeast of Kihei. The image was composed from OLI observations of shortwave infrared light (band 6). 

Infrared observations are useful for distinguishing the locations of active fires, shown here in yellow. The shortwave infrared data were overlaid 

on a natural-color mosaic image based on Landsat 8 observations for added geographic detail. (photo: NASA - NASA Earth Observatory) 

Supporting 

Station Maui 

With CWO Wall liaising at the EOC, Lt. 

Christina reported to Station Maui to serve 

as an on-site liaison officer. “At first, my 

role was to report to Station Maui and 

assist in any way possible. I was looking 

for all ways to help the crew who were 

amidst a harrowing search and rescue 

(SAR) operation. The help they needed 

became clear right away. Keep the Sector 

Honolulu Command and our stakeholders 

at the EOC informed. For the first 2-3 hours, 

I was inundated with calls. The phone was 

either on my ear or it was ringing—it was 

insane. But I was happy to help. If I wasn’t 

serving this role, it likely would have fallen 

on the XPO (executive petty officer), who 

was managing the SAR,” said Lt. Christina. 

The station small boat crews were relaying 

catastrophic levels of damage as they 

initially arrived at the scene, and the 

lieutenant was starting to feel the weight. 

“We got the radio transmission that 

historic Lahaina Harbor was completely 

destroyed—almost impossible to 

comprehend. So much of our work at 

MST Maui was conducted there. So many 

professional relationships and memories 

were forged there. My heart and mind were 

truly all over the place in that moment. It 

was heartbreaking,” said Lt. Christina. 

But the magnitude of the 

event began to expose some 

limitations in the Coast 

Guard's response. Station 

Maui is a “one-boat” 

station. 

Station Maui boat crews exhausted all efforts 

and operational capabilities to support 

the survivors directly, and the MST was 

alongside supporting the primary mission 

in any way they could. But the magnitude of 

the event began to expose some limitations 

in the Coast Guard's response. Station Maui 

is a “one-boat” station, which means they 

are only resourced to respond with a single 

small boat and crew at a time. Despite the 

boat crew's heroic effort, it was clear that 

more help was necessary. 

ACTIVE DUTY 




47


As Coasties, our job 

requires that we respond 

to disasters. It is in 

our blood and culture as a 

service to do this. 

“While the first crew was underway, CWO 

Wall and I developed a plan to solicit help 

from our commercial vessel operators. 

This was unprecedented, and something I 

would have never imagined could become 

a possibility. But the reality was that a single 

CG vessel on-scene was not enough,” said 

Lt. Christina. Christina and Wall quickly 

connected with four crews of commercial 

vessels that were prepared to assist in the 

response, applying the mantra "throw out 

the playbook." These vessels coordinated 

on-scene with Station Maui and were able to 

provide safe haven for three souls, including 

two young children. Further, they ensured 

Station Maui could remain on-scene 

continuing their valiant efforts as long as 

possible. This included deploying a surface 

swimmer ashore to help the fire department 

escort trapped individuals as well as carry 

non-ambulatory victims to safety. 

Supporting the 

effort 

As his counterpart worked diligently at 

Station Maui, CWO Wall played a vital 

role in the EOC. “During this time, I 

was coordinating with the Maui County 

Department of Transportation to stage 

buses for any survivors the Coast Guard 

or volunteer operators would bring back 

to Station Maui,” said CWO Wall. Further, 

in the early morning hours of August 9, 

a lot of assets were arriving on-scene to 

support the mission. CWO Wall recounts, 

“CG Station Maui 45-foot boat, CGC Joseph 

Gerczak, CGC Kimball and their small boat, 

two Aviation Survival Technicians (AST’s) 

who were transferred to work on the surface 

assets, a CG H-65, two Navy Helicopter 

Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM)-37 H-60’s, 

and state and county had three jet skis and 

one 23-foot jet boat.” 

“As Coasties, our job requires that we 

respond to disasters,” said CWO Wall. “It is 

in our blood and culture as a service to do 

this. We will deploy in a moment’s notice. 

The strange thing is when the disaster 

happens where you live and to people that 

you know and are closely connected with.” 

Today, much of Maui’s west side remains 

in ruins. The rebuild will take years and the 

pain for those directly affected will likely last 

a lifetime. However, despite the fires that 

ravaged the island that fateful night, the 

aloha spirit of the town persists. Maui No 

Ka Oi (is the best). Bravo Zulu to Station 

Maui's search and rescue efforts, MST 

Maui, and, of course, all the federal, state, 

and county responders, local supporters, 

and volunteers who answered the call. 

This article was 

published on MyCG. 

For more great Coast 

Guard stories, visit 

www.mycg.uscg.mil 



49

RESERVE 

LARGE-SCALE 

COLLABORATION: 

BALTIMORE’S KEY BRIDGE COLLAPSE 

RESERVE 

At 12:45 a.m. on the morning of March 26, 

2024, the 947-foot-long cargo vessel Dali 

departed the port of Baltimore and, in less 

than an hour, permanently changed the 

Patapsco River skyline. 

At 1:29 a.m., the Dali’s starboard bow struck 

a piling on the Francis Scott Key Bridge, 

collapsing six spans into the river and bringing 

all maritime traffic in and out of the port of 

Baltimore to a standstill. Eight roadcrew workers 

who’d been repairing potholes were cast into 

the dark waters below. 

Within minutes, Coast Guard Sector Maryland- 

National Capital Region (NCR) had issued an 

urgent marine information broadcast; Coast 

Guard crews rushed to the scene and began 

coordinating with other first responders and law 

enforcement agencies. 

As he made the drive into work, 

Lam looked to the skyline 

where he’d normally see the 

bridge. The missing part of the 

commute was striking. 

Lt. Duy Lam, who works in the Emergency 

Management and Force Readiness Branch 

Story by: Chief Warrant Officer Anastasia Devlin, Personnel Service Center, and 

Heather Scheer, Reservist magazine 


Salvors with the Unified Command prepare the section of bridge sitting on the port side bow of the M/V Dali for controlled demolition and 

precision cutting during the Key Bridge Response 2024. Debris and wreckage removal was a top priority to safely and efficiently open the Fort 

McHenry Channel. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Christopher Rosario) 




51

RESERVE 

for Sector Maryland-NCR, got the official call 

about the incident within an hour of the bridge’s 

collapse and immediately understood the 

gravity of the situation. 

As he made the drive into work, Lam looked to 

the skyline where he’d normally see the bridge. 

The missing part of the commute was striking. 

“I thought to myself, ‘Wow, this is real,’” said 

Lam. 

As the manager of the Sector Maryland-NCR’s 

Reserve force, Lam knew his local reservists 

and their capabilities. He picked up the phone 

and started dialing, coordinating support for 

what he knew would be a massive response. 

Due to the large-scale impact of the disaster, a 

unified command (UC) was stood up for the Key 

Bridge. The UC structure is used to organize 

actions and streamline communication when 

multiple agencies and jurisdictions are involved 

in an incident’s response. 

Lam said the agencies train often on how to 

combine forces when the need arises. 

“They aren’t just waiting around for you to use 

them; unified commands have to be made,” 

They aren’t just waiting around 

for you to use them; unified 

commands have to be made. 

said Lam. “We have hurricane exercises and 

trainings for emergencies; we know the bones 

and the structure, and then build them up 

[when an incident occurs].” 

Chief Petty Officer Nick Carr, a 19-year member 

of the service, had awoken to a string of text 

messages, some from a fellow reservist with ties 

to the Baltimore Fire Department community, 

Petty Officer 1st Class Andrew Belfield. 

Carr had pulled up the video of the Dali, lights 

flickering, and watched the surreal sight of the 

Key Bridge as it crumbled. In fact, Carr had 

just driven over that bridge the night before on 

his way home from his civilian job as a safety 

specialist for the Coast Guard Yard. 


RESERVE 

Salvors, working with the Key Bridge Unified Command 2024, remove a large section of bridge span 

along with other wreckage in 2024 from the Patapsco River in efforts to reopen the Fort McHenry Channel 

in Baltimore. (U.S. Coast Guard Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ronald Hodges) 

He jumped out of bed and headed to the Sector 

to offer his support, eventually landing at the 

command post at the Maryland Transportation 

Authority (MDTA). The bridge and the Dali were 

visible from the MDTA; Carr could see crews 

searching the waters below and people looking 

on from behind a police line. 

“That’s a sight I’ll never forget,” he said. 

In jeans and a hoodie, Carr jumped into the 

chaos of dozens of agency representatives 

meeting up, gathering information, offering 

support, and trading contact information. More 

arrived each hour. 




53

RESERVE 

Lt. Jennifer Nyman, a reservist already on 

orders supporting the Sector, had gotten a call 

that brought her to the office before sunrise. As 

a planning section chief for other Coast Guard 

responses like Operation Allies Welcome and 

Operation Vigilant Sentry, she had extensive 

experience, and she jumped into the same 

role for the first crucial week of the Key Bridge 

response. 

By the end of that first 20-hour workday, 

Nyman said she and others went over to the 

Maryland Cruise Terminal to help set up the 

larger space for the UC staff. 

The next day, the terminal was a sea of 

uniforms and polos with logos; departments 

used cardboard signs to organize, and the 

Incident Command System structure quickly 

took shape. Carr swapped the hoodie for 

coveralls as he switched into his Atlantic 

Strike Team capacity; there, he reviewed the 

area contingency plan and helped tailor the 

response strategy. 

in a new capacity. Many had been in the area 

for a long time, and Carr said it felt good to 

use his training to help in his own backyard. 

The UC incorporated leaders of state, federal, 

and local organizations, including the Coast 

Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers, the 

Maryland Department of the Environment, the 

MDTA, Witt O’Brien’s, and the Maryland State 

Police. Over the course of the event, more 

than 50 agencies and organizations would 

become part of the massive response and 

recovery effort. 

Salvors with the Unified Command perform a controlled 

demolition, precision cutting of section 4 of the Francis Scott 

Key Bridge that sits on the port side of the bow of the M/V Dali. 

(U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Christopher Rosario) 

RESERVE 

“Walking into the cruise ship terminal for the 

first time, it was like a yearbook of my Coast 

Guard career,” he said. He recognized 

shipmates from his time at the Chiefs 

Academy, old friends from his days drilling 

at Sector Maryland, and others who’d left or 

retired from the Coast Guard and were serving 

Over the course of the event, 

more than 50 agencies and 


organizations would become 

part of the massive response and 

recovery effort. 




55


RESERVE 

RESERVE 

Walking into the cruise ship 

terminal for the first time, it 

was like a yearbook of my Coast 

Guard career. 

Representative Nancy Pelosi, speaker emerita, met with members of the Unified Command to discuss 

progress during the Key Bridge Response 2024. The Key Bridge Response 2024 Unified Command 

priorities are to ensure the safety of the public and first responsders, account for missing persons, 

safely restore transportation infrastructure and commerce, protect the environment, and support the 

investigation of the incident. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Christopher Rosario) 

Teams addressed search and rescue, dive 

operations, and vehicle recovery; they worked 

to identify submerged wreckage and debris. 

A 2,000-yard safety zone around the ship was 

established to protect people, vessels, and the 

environment from the ongoing salvage process. 

Crews monitored the scene for spilled oils and 

hazardous substances, deploying thousands of 

feet of boom at the incident site and collecting 

water samples for quality testing. They also 

continued to monitor containers on the Dali that 

contained hazardous materials, 14 of which 

were impacted for potential hazards. 

Lam aided in the UC’s inception as the initial 

document unit leader, maintaining accurate 

and complete files. Carr started working 

as part of the resources unit but eventually 

became the incident’s safety officer. Belfield, 

another Sector Maryland-NCR reservist, also 

joined the response working as a resource 

unit leader, identifying the right personnel, 

assets and capabilities for the shifting nature 

of the work. As a civilian for the Department of 

Transportation, Belfield had spent plenty of time 

working through exercise scenarios, both on 

land and water, incorporating many agencies 

with multiple jurisdictions. 

Less than four days after the collapse, 

wreckage removal commenced, and teams 

began carefully cutting the top portion of the 

north side of the bridge into smaller sections 

for removal by crane. Every lifting operation 

required engineering analysis to inform salvage 

operation plans. Two crane barges removed 

wreckage and transferred it to another barge 

to be taken to a disposal site. 

Five days after the incident, the captain of the 

port of Baltimore, Coast Guard Capt. David 

O’Connell said the UC would set a temporary 

11-foot-deep, 264-foot-wide alternate channel 

on the northeast side of the bridge, beginning 

the reopening of the port. 

Under the bridge, dive teams continued to 

look for fallen bridge workers. Two had been 

rescued the night of the incident, and sadly, 




57

RESERVE 

RESERVE 

Everyone has their part in it, 

and to see operations, planning, 

logistics, how everything comes 

together, it’s almost an art 

form.” 


the last six would eventually be recovered 

from the waters below. The intense response 

continued for weeks as crews carefully removed 

wreckage, and then, the containers from the 

ship itself. The chunks of the massive bridge 

were retrieved in a painstaking process that 

belied their incredible weight. A single, colossal 

piece of Span 19 weighed 156 tons. 

The scale of the response itself was thoughtprovokingly 

vast. In a press release, the 

Unified Command said that at its highest 

point, the response efforts included about 56 

federal, state, and local agencies, represented 

by almost 1,600 individual responders, with 

500 more specialists from around the world 

operating a fleet of 18 barges, 22 tugboats, 13 

floating cranes, 10 excavators and four survey 

boats. 

They supported coordination, planning and 

execution efforts that took place around the 

clock during late March, April, and most of May. 

As the brisk spring weather allowed, more and 

more containers of the estimated 180 necessary 

to access the portion of the bridge sitting on 

the Dali were removed. A total of four smaller, 

alternate channels were created, providing 

limited access for commercial vessels. 

Incredible care was taken in preparing for the 

removal of the piece of the Key Bridge lying 

atop the Dali. Sensors called inclinometers were 

positioned on key parts of the ship to monitor 

how the vessel moved with the wind and tide, 

as well as a sensor monitoring for any other 

shifts in the span. 

Precision cuts were made with small charges 

to remove the wreckage from top of the Dali, 

The M/V Dali was safely refloated and transited to a local marine terminal in order to remove the 

remaining bridge wreckage from the Federal Channel and restore commercial vessel traffic. (U.S. Army 

Corps of Engineers photo by Christopher Rosario) 




59

RESERVE 


splitting the large section of truss to create 

smaller more manageable sections for eventual 

removal via crane. 

The morning of May 20, eight weeks after the 

incident, the Dali was officially refloated, and 

five tugboats moved it to a local marine terminal, 

allowing limited deep-draft commercial transit 

into to the port; less than three weeks later, the 

channel was restored to its original operational 

dimensions. 

“This truly signifies the next chapter in restoring 

the waterway commerce in this region, which 

also serves as the economic engine for 

thousands of workers and their families who 

depend on commerce traveling through the 

Port of Baltimore,” said the Unified Command 

in a statement to the press. 

As proof of success, the city of Baltimore 

welcomed three naval vessels via the newly 

reopened Fort McHenry Federal Channel, just 

in time for Maryland Fleet Week. 

“I cannot overstate how proud I am of our 

team. It was incredible seeing so many people 

from different parts of our government, from 

around our country and all over the world, 

come together in the Unified Command and 

accomplish so much in this amount of time,” 

said Col. Estee Pinchasin, USACE Baltimore 

district commander. 

Carr, who’d watched the incident happen 

from start to finish, appreciated the skill and 

relationships that enabled the swift clean-up 

operation. 

"Nobody wants to have the incident happen, but 

you really couldn’t ask for better collaboration 

and support from the UC all the way down to 

the demobilization personnel who were helping 

out,” said Carr. “Everyone has their part in it, 

and to see operations, planning, logistics, how 

everything comes together, it’s almost an art 

form.” 

Though the responders cleared out from the 

cruise terminal to make way for the resumption 

of cruise ship operations, the response isn’t 

totally over yet. Crews will continue to survey the 

area and remove steel at and below the 50-foot 

mudline to protect future dredging operations. 

Reopening a major port less than three months 

after a major bridge collapse is not luck—it’s 

skill. As any good coach will say, it’s important 

to practice the game the way you’re going to 

play. This team had put in the practice. 

Nyman said, “Constant port partner engagement 

really helps. When an incident occurs, you 

already have the phone numbers and 

friendships—even if it’s just to ask for guidance 

or advice.” She said the nature of work in the 

NCR, including many high-profile events, 

ensures that the leaders of these agencies are 

constantly working together and cementing the 

bonds that make the response flow smoothly. 

In addition, so many of the responders 

were long-term locals or talented industry 

professionals who’d spent time working 

together for many years. Coast Guard 

reservists, like Lam, Carr, Belfield and Nyman, 

were among both groups, bringing experience, 

talent, and local knowledge to help the service 

contribute to the UC’s goals ... and the city of 

Baltimore at large. 

The governor of Maryland, Wes Moore, said 

the state will rebuild the Key Bridge by 2028. 

(U.S. Coast Guard Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Brandon Giles) 

RESERVE 




61

U.S. COAST GUARD RETIREE INFORMATION RETIREMENTS 

RETIREMENTS 

ACKERMAN, RUSSELL 

AIELLO, ERIC 

AIKIN, TREVOR 

ALBRITTON, ELIZABETH 

ANCIL, ERIK 

ANDERSON, KEVIN 

ANDUJAR, PHILLIP 

ANGEL, KIMBERLY 

ANKERMANN, KYLE 

ANSLEY, RODERICK 

APPLEGATE, CHRISTIAN 

ARCANGEL, LINDSEY 

ARENAS, JOHN 

ARNWINE, STEVEN 

ASHLEY, BRODERICK 

ATALIG, BERNO 

AUTH, NICOLE 

BARROW, BRANDON 

BARSIC, GREGORY 

BARTONICEK, IAN 

BARTOS, ANDREW 

BATTLE, ALEJANDRO 

BECHTLER, DONALD 

BECK, DEREK 

BECK, EILEEN 

BELBY, CHANDLER 

BELCHIOR, RICARDO 

BELL, JUSTIN 

BENTON, PHILIP 

BERG, IAN 

BERGERON, MAX 

BERNAL, ERICJON 

BERNDT, WYATT 

BEST, ERIC 

BLACK, RANDALL 

USCG 

BMC 

MKC 

SKC 

EMC 

BM1 

BM1 

YN1 

LCDR 

BM3 

AVI2 

MST1 

DC1 

DCC 

CDR 

YNC 

ETC 

CDR 

MSSE3 

YNC 

CDR 

BMC 

MKC 

DCCS 

LCDR 

CDR 

YN1 

BMC 

BMC 

LT 

AVI2 

AMT1 

AET1 

FN 

BMCM 

LCDR 

08-01-2024 



































BLANEY, CARLOS 

BLEICKEN, RICHARD 

BLUNIER, DAVID 

BOLAND, BRIAN 

BOLAND, JEFFRY 

BOND, SHELDON 

BOONE, MARY 

BORNER, CURTIS 

BOSWELL, GARY 

BOWMAN, MICHAEL 

BOWMAN, RUSSELL 

BOWMAN, SIERRA 

BRADBURY, CHRISTOPHER 

BRADLEY, WESLEY 

BRANTHOOVER, JOSHUA 

BROCKHOUSE, KENNETH 

BROWN, CHRISTOPHER 

BROWN, JOSHUA 

BROWNE, HENRY 

BRUCE, JOSEPH 

BRYANT, PHILLIP 

BRYCE, DANIEL 

BURCHETT, TYSON 

BURKE, KYLE 

BURKETT, JARED 

BURNS, KYLE 

BUTALA, FELICIA 

CABANAS, GEORGE 

CAIRES, KEITH 

CALAIRO, GLENN 

CAMERON, JASON 

CAMPEN, ANDREW 

CANAVAL, HECTOR 

CARPENTER, KELLY 

CARRION, CHRISTIAN 

MKC 

CDR 

LCDR 

CDR 

MSSE4 

MKC 

DCC 

ET1 

ME1 

CDR 

CAPT 

ME1 

LCDR 

ME1 

LCDR 

MSTCM 

YN1 

SKC 

LT 

ITC 

YN1 

ITCS 

AET1 

LCDR 

BMC 

LT 

CDR 

LCDR 

ME1 

SKC 

CDR 

CAPT 

MEC 

OS1 

MEC 




































CARRUTH, AUTUMN 

CARTER, HARRY 



! 

CASE, CRAIG 

CASE, GREG 

CASEY, MILTON 

CASTELLI, ANTHONY 

CASTILLEJO, SERGIO 

CASTRO, CHRISTOPHER 

CEDERSTROM, NYREL 

CENTENO, BREANNA 

CHAPA, JOHN 

CHAVEZ, JERE 

CHAVEZ, ROBBY 

CHAVIS, STEPHEN 

CHERKAUER, RICHARD 

CHRISTENSEN, HEIDI 

CIRKO, SOFIJA 

CISNEROS, CHRISTOPHER 

CLARK, KATHERINE 

CLARK, KEVIN 

CLAY, JOHN 

CLEVENGER, CHRISTOPHER 

COAKLEY, JOSEPH 

COBB, DONNA 

COBB, MARK 

COBBPHILLIPS, MINKAH 

CODD, JOHN 

COFFIN, WALLACE 

COLLIER, TRAVIS 

COLLINS, CHARLES 

COLLINS, JENNIFER 

COOKLIN, JOSHUA 

COOMBES, DACE 

COOPER, CHAD 

COOPER, MELISSA 

COOPER, RAYMOND 

COPPIN, CHAD 

CORNETT, JASON 

CORRADO, LAWRENCE 

CORRALES, EDUARDO 

CORTES, HECTOR 

COSTA, EDWARD 

COSTLEY, JASON 

COURTENAY, ROBERT 

COURTNEY, KYLE 

CRAWFORD, BROOKS 

CREECH, BYRON 

CRESPO, CARLOS 

It's been noted that some CG Reserve retirees in RET-2 status (awaiting pay) are missing from this list. Efforts are underway 

to include all RET-2 retirees in future issues. 

SKC 

LCDR 

BOSN2 

MUC 

BMCS 

AETCM 

OS1 

AET1 

LCDR 

PA3 

BMC 

EM1 

LCDR 

SN 

LCDR 

HSCS 

CADET 

MED2 

LT 

LCDR 

MKC 

MEC 

MECS 

LCDR 

LCDR 

OSC 

CDR 

MSTC 

CDR 

LCDR 

MKCS 

BMC 

ASTCS 

CAPT 

CDR 

BM2 

LT 

ME1 

LCDR 

CS1 

SKC 

LCDR 

MK2 

CDR 

BMC 

CDR 

CDR 

CDR 

















































CRISP, MELBA 

CROSS, JASON 

CROTHERS, TIMOTHY 

CROTWELL, JARED 

CRUZ, NOAH 

CURAYAG, RICHARD 

DAEM, STEVEN 

DAUGHERTY, BRIAN 

DAVION, CLAYTON 

DAVIS, JOSIAH 

DAVIS, MATTHEW 

DAVIS, NATHAN 

DAVIS, WAYNE 

DE LA RIVA, ETIENNE 

DEAN, NICHOLAS 

DELACRUZ, HERNAN 

DELGADO, IGNACIO 

DEMARCUS, STEPHEN, 

DERFLINGER, BRADLEY 

DEUSTACHIO, KEVIN 

DEUSTACHIO, KEVIN 

DEVEREAUX, MARC 

CDR 

BOSN3 

SKCM 

ENG3 

OS3 

ME1 

ETC 

LCDR 

EMC 

LTJG 

ELC4 

MECM 

BMCM 

CAPT 

MK2 

BM1 

CSC 

MKC 

OSCS 

CDR 

CDR 

CAPT 
























RETIREMENTS 

63


DIAZ MORALES, JOSE 

DIAZ, JESSE 

DIAZ, MIKE 

DIAZ, NATHANAEL 

DIDALEUSKY, SCOTT 

DIEGO, JOSEPH 

DINGMAN, KENNETH 

DIPIERRO, EDWARD 

DISALLE, JONATHAN 

DISHER, NATHAN 

DOMEIER, REBECCA 

DOMINGUEZ, ANDREW 

DONOVAN, JOSEPH 

DOORIS, MATTHEW 

DOUCETTE, ERIC 

DOUTHIT, STACY 

DRAPER, JAMES 

DRISCOLL, JOHN 

DUFFY, SETH 

DULL, STEVEN 

DUMSHA, CHRISTOPHER 

DUNCAN, GREGORY 

DUNCAN, GREGORY 

DUNCAN, ROBERT 

DUNN, BRENDAN 

DUNN, JASON 

DUNN, SCOTT 

DURANRODRIGUEZ, MARICRUZ 

DURSO, DANIEL 

EASTMAN, JOHN 

ECKSTROM, MICHAEL 

EICHHOLZ, ABIGAIL 

ELLIOTT, BRANDON 

ELLIOTT, JAY 

ENSLEY, CHRISTOPHER 

EPPERSON, RONALD 

ERIBAL, INGELHEIM 

ERTLER, KYLE 

ESPINOZA, ELISA 

ESPINOZA, MARK 

ESTES, SHAUN 

FALL, CASEY 

FAULKNER, CHRISTOPHER 

FERGUSON, KENNETH 

FINNERAN, DYLAN 

FITZWATER, ARI 

FLEMING, JERAME 

FLORISI, ROBERT 

FLYNN, JOHN 

FLYNN, NICHELLE 

FOGGIN, TRENT 

CAPT 

CDR 

AMT1 

MEC 

BMCS 

CSC 

GMC 

CDR 

ASTC 

BM1 

MKC 

EMC 

DCC 

CAPT 

CAPT 

DCC 

AET1 

CAPT 

MK2 

CS1 

BM2 

CAPT 

CAPT 

MSSR3 

LCDR 

CDR 

IVC 

HSCS 

OS1 

OSS3 

F&S3 

IS3 

BM1 

AETC 

AST2 

CDR 

ENG2 

GMC 

OS2 

AMT1 

AMT1 

LT 

MLES2 

ISC 

LT 

CDR 

ETCS 

MSSD3 

MST2 

SKC 

BM2 




















































FORD, ZACHARY 

FORGENG, JOSEPH 

FORGUE, CHARLENE 

FORSYTH, KARYN 

FRANCISCO, PETER 

FRANK, MICHAEL 

FRANK, MICHAEL 

FRANKLIN, STARR 

FREDIE, MICHAEL 

FREITAS, MARCUS 

FULTON, BENJAMIN 

GARCIA, JAKOB 

GARRETT, ASHLEY 

GHORMLEY, RICHARD 

GIFFORD, STEPHEN 

GILBERT, BOBBY 

GILBERT, CHRISTOPHER 

GILLESPIE, MICHAEL 

GILMORE, BENJAMIN 

GLEASON, TUCKER 

GLENDYE, TROY 

GODIKSEN, DAN 

GODSEY, AARON 

GOLLNICK, PETER 

GONZALEZ, JOHN 

GONZALEZ, RICHARD 

GOODY, CHRISTOPHER 

CAPT 

LCDR 

CDR 

CDR 

LCDR 

PSC 

LCDR 

OS1 

CAPT 

IT2 

YNC 

MK3 

PERS2 

OSC 

MK1 

MK2 

LT 

OS1 

MSTC 

BM1 

CAPT 

CDR 

AET1 

MSSD4 

MK1 

LCDR 

MST1 




























GOSLIN, ANTHONY 

GRACE, PATRICK 

GRAHAM, BRANDI 



GRAY, JURONY 

GRAYER, GLENN 

GREEN, ALEXIS 

GREGORY, JUSTIN 

GRIBBON, MICHAEL 

GRIFFIN, NAVIN 

GRUSSING, ALEXANDER 

GRZELAK, JENNIFER 

GUSTIN, STEVEN 

HAGSTROM, JOAN 

HAHN, PETER 

HALL, GABRIEL 

HAMES, TYLER 

HAMILTON, ROBYN 

HAMMERSBORG, ANDERS 

HAMMOND, RYAN 

HANRAHAN, JOHN 

HARBAUGH, JASON 

HARRIS, AARON 

HARRIS, ANFERNEE 

HARRIS, WILLIAM 

HARRISON, NICHOLAS 

HARTUNG, WILLIAM 

HARVEY, AARON 

ELC4 

CAPT 

CDR 

EMC 

YN1 

CS1 

SKCS 

MST1 

CDR 

AET3 

CAPT 

LT 

SKC 

CDR 

MSSR3 

LT 

AST1 

CDR 

LCDR 

IVC 

BM1 

BM1 

ME3 

LT 

MK1 

MECS 

AST1 




























HATTER, THOMAS 

HAWKINS, NATHANAEL 

HAWLEY, DOUGLAS 

HAWTHORNE, ANDREW 

HEBERLIG, RAYMOND 

HEFFNER, WAYNE 

HEJL, SCOTTY 

HENCKLER, MICHAEL 

HENDRICKS, ADWOA 

HERNANDEZ, LUIS 

HERNANDEZ, MONICA 

HERNANDORENA, NICHOLAS 

HERON, JOSEPHINE 

HICKMAN, JUSTIN 

HICKS, JAMES 

HIGGINS, GREGORY 

HIGHTOWER, MICHAEL 

HINES, KENNETH 

HODGE, DANIQUE 

HOKE, BRANDON 

HOLM, ROBERT 

HOPPE, KENNETH 

HORNYAK, STEVEN 

HOWES, DANIEL 

HUFF, CHRISTOPHER 

HUGHES, BRENDAN 

HUGHES, JOSHUA 

HULEN, MARK 

HUMMEL, ANDREW 

HUNTER, ROBERT 

HURRELL, KELLY 

HUTCHINS, RYAN 

IMANI, JEAN-FRANCIS 

ITTERLY, BRIAN 

IULO, MATTHEW 

IZZO, ANTHONY 

JACKSON, DANIEL 

JACKSON, ERIC 

JANSSEN, REKIYA 

JARMAN, MARK 

JEFFERYS, PAUL 

JEMISON, JUSTIN 

JESKEY, GARRETT 

JOECKEL, JOHN 

JOHNSON, MEGAN 

JOHNSON, RILEY 

JONES, DOUGLAS 

JONES, JOSEPH 

KALINEC, KYLE 

KAMMERS, KURT 

KANAE, LAWREN 

MKC 

AETC 

MKC 

CDR 

LCDR 

AMTC 

MKCS 

MEC 

OSCM 

SN 

CDR 

LCDR 

CAPT 

ET1 

MSTC 

CDR 

MKC 

LCDR 

LT 

MK1 

BMC 

MST1 

MLES4 

ENG4 

AETC 

LT 

ITCM 

EMCM 

CSC 

CDR 

MUC 

AMT1 

SK1 

ISC 

MEC 

AMTCM 

GMC 

BM1 

MKCM 

MEC 

ENG4 

ETC 

SK1 

MSTC 

PERS2 

ME1 

BMC 

HSC 

AMT2 

EMCS 

YNC 




















































RETIREMENTS 


65


KARPINSKI, BENJAMIN 

KATELNIKOFF, CAMERON 

KEE, KODY 

KELLEY, TIMOTHY 

KELLY, CURTIS 

KENNEDY, MICHAEL 

KENNEDY, NICHOLAS 

KENNY, BRENT 

KENSHALO, JAMES 

KEY, JOHN 

KILGORE, STEVEN 

KIMOSE, NICHOLAS 

KINTZ, WILLIAM 

KIRKLAND, JOSHUA 

KIRSCH, ANDREW 

KISTLER, JEFFREY 

KITE, NEAL 

KLEINSMITH, NICOLE 

KLEMMETSON, MICHAEL 

KLICH, WILLIAM 

KNUTSON, BREANNA 

KRIMMEL, KYLE 

KRYWANCZYK, JERRY 

KUCK, JEFFREY 

KUHL, DONALD 

KUKLEWSKI, JESSICA 

CAPT 

BMC 

BMC 

BOSN2 

LT 

AET3 

EMCS 

CDR 

CDR 

BMCS 

MSSD4 

BMC 

CAPT 

HS1 

YNCS 

LCDR 

CAPT 

YN1 

MEC 

ETC 

CAPT 

AET2 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CDR 

BM1 



























KURLAND, CYRIL 

KUZIK, JASON 

LABOY, ANTHONY 

LAFFERTY, MIRIAM 

LAKE, WAYNE 

LAMB, JILLIAN 

LAMBERT, BRUCE 

LANDHEER, JERAD 

LANKFORD, CHAD 

LASKI, TYLER 

LASKIEWICZ, JONATHAN 

LATTA, BRADFORD 

LAUGHLIN, JAMES 

LAVERY, KEVIN 

LAWSON, KENNETH 

LAYMAN, KATHRYN 

LEAHY, JANA 

LEBRON, MICHAEL 

LEEMAN, ANDREW 

LENOIR, JOHN 

LEONARD, OTIS 

LEWIS, EDMUND 

LEWIS, GREGORY 

LEWIS, NOHEA 

LILLY, JOHN 

LINDERS, LINDA 

LINDSAY, BOBBY 

LIVELY, BRETT 

LIVINGOOD, JAMES 

LLOYD, BRADLEY 

LOMBARD, JOSEPH 

LOPEZ, CARLOS 

LOVERTI, JOSEPH 

LUCE, JOSEPH 

LUTTRELL, KRISTI 

LUZARDO, MIGUEL 

LYNCH, CHRISTOPHER 

LYNCH, GREGORY 

LYNCH, ROBERT 

MADDUX, JASON 

MADRID, HERNAN 

MAGEE, GREGORY 

MAIS, IRENE 

MALONE, BRETT 

MALONEY, KIMBERLY 

MANN, STEVEN 

MANNING, JUSTIN 

MARCH, JUSTIN 

MARFULL, ERIC 

MARLOW, CODY 

MARRERO, JULIUS 

LT 

BMC 

LCDR 

RADM 

BOSN3 

CDR 

BMC 

MKC 

MSSE4 

BM2 

AETC 

AETCS 

BMC 

CAPT 

MEC 

YNCS 

YN1 

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MKC 

SN 

LCDR 

INV3 

BOSN3 

HS1 

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YNC 

LCDR 

SKC 

CAPT 

OSC 

BMC 

YN1 

OSCS 

BMC 

CAPT 

GM1 

MSTC 

CDR 

CS1 

LCDR 

AMTC 

CAPT 

PERS3 

DCC 

YN1 

AMT1 

MK2 

BM1 

CDR 

ME2 

ISS2 




















































MARTINEZ, ANGEL 

MARTINEZ, MAURICIO 

MASTROS, DAVID 



MATHES, DAVID 

MATTHEWS, BRADLEY 

MATTHEWS, CHRISTOPHER 

MATTHEWS, WILLIAM 

MAUGER, JOHN 

MAYES, GREGORY 

MCCARDLE, BRANDON 

MCCARTHY, KELLY 

MCCLELLAN, WILLIAM 

MCCLELLAND, DUSTIN 

MCCLURE, CHRISTOPHER 

MCCUSKER, COLLEEN 

MCELROY, AMY 

MCKIE, MICHAEL 

MCLAUGHLIN, BRIAN 

MCNAUGHT, CONNOR 

MCNIEL, JOSEPH 

MCTAGUE, SEAN 

MEADOR, CHRISTOPHER 

MEADOWCROFT, BRIAN 

MEDINA, AILTON 

ET1 

AET1 

MSTC 

ENG4 

EMC 

EMCS 

AETCS 

RADM 

AETC 

AMT1 

ASTCM 

GMCS 

BMC 

YNC 

CDR 

CDR 

DC1 

CAPT 

DC2 

CSC 

AETC 

MECS 

LCDR 

ME1 

























MELENDEZGAITAN, GUILLERMO 

MENDOZA, ALBERTO 

MERKEL, JASON 

MESSICK, BOBBY 

MEYER, MICHAEL 

MIDGETTE, MAHASIN 

MILLER, CALEB 

MIRON, JAMES 

MITCHELTREE, JOSHUA 

MONEDA, CYNTHIA 

MONEY, CLAYTON 

MONTGOMERY, MARTINE 

MOORE, JAMES 

MOORE, MARC 

MOORLAG, MATTHEW 

MORRIS, BENJAMIN 

MOSES, DIRIK 

MUDROCK, TAYLOR 

MUKON, JAMES 

MULFORD, ALBERT 

MUNDY, JOSHUA 

MUNIZTIRADO, ERNESTO 

MUSIAL, CHRISTOPHER 

MYERS, ALEX 

AMTC 

ME1 

OSCS 

MKC 

CDR 

ISC 

MKC 

BMC 

LCDR 

YNCM 

ISM4 

LTJG 

MK3 

BMCM 

CAPT 

MSSE4 

YN1 

MSTC 

GM1 

CSC 

ME1 

CDR 

AETCS 

AMT3 

























RETIREMENTS 


67


NAHINU, KAMUELA 

NASH, ANTHONY 

NEAL, KEITH 

NOLAN, THOMAS 

NOLL, WILLIAM 

NORCROSS, BENJAMIN 

NUSSBERGER, JULIE 

OBRIEN, TODD 

OCONNOR, CHARLES 

ORCHARD, DANIEL 

ORTIZ, CARLOS 

PACHECO, JOSE 

PANGANIBA, MARCO 

PANKEY, JONATHAN 

PAONE, SAMUEL 

PASTWIKOWSKI, DAWID 

PATTERSON, ROSS 

PAULINO, GILBERT 

PECK, MACY 

PELLEGRINO, JEREMY 

PERANTO, LAWRENCE 

PEREZ GARCIA, JOSE 

PERINSKIY, YEVGENIY 

PERRY, ADRIAN 

PERSAUD, PRESTON 

PHILLIPS, HANNAHLYN 

PICKERING, ROBERT 

POEN, BRADLEY 

POMALES, ALEXANDER 

POULIN, STEVEN 

PRADO, BISMARCK 

PRESSIMONE, SCOTT 

PULLIAM, GABE 

PUTALA, LANE 

QUINONES, ISAIAH 

RAMIREZ, ALBERTO 

RAMOS, NEZAHUALCOYOTL 

RAMSEY, GRAHAM 

RASK, ANDREA 

RAY, RICKY 

REAMS, JEFFREY 

REID, APRIL 

REIGLE, TODD 

RELLE, JOSEPH 

REMMERS, THOMAS 

REMPESENT, ALONZO 

REPA, LEONARD 

REYNOSO, MICHAEL 

RIDDLE, JOHN 

RITCHIE, LAWRENCE 

RIVAS, DENYS 

SKC 

LT 

MK2 

HSC 

MKCS 

LT 

LCDR 

CDR 

MKC 

CDR 

LT 

ME2 

BM1 

OSS3 

LT 

EMCS 

OS1 

OSC 

LT 

SKC 

AVI3 

CAPT 

EM1 

MK2 

CSCS 

SK1 

LCDR 

BMC 

MKC 

ADM 

MK1 

MKCM 

ASTC 

CAPT 

MSTC 

BOSN2 

BM3 

EM2 

CDR 

ETC 

SKC 

LT 

F&S4 

YNC 

CAPT 

AET1 

SK1 

HSC 

CDR 

MSTC 

LCDR 




















































RIVERA, HIRAM 

RIVERA, MICHELLE 

ROBB, CHRISTOPHER 

ROBERTS, JEFFREY 

ROBINSON, BENJAMIN 

ROBINSON, KALE 

RODOCKER, JASON 

RODRIGUEZ, JORGE 

RODRIGUEZ, RICKY 

RODRIGUEZROMAN, JAVIER 

ROGERS, MATTHEW 

ROMANO, MICHAEL 

ROMERO, HUMBERTO 

RONDON, PEDRO 

ROUTTEN, KEVIN 

ROWE, JEFFREY 

RUFFNER, JONATHAN 

RUIZ, TIFFANY 

RUOT, ERNEST 

RUSSELL, BEN 

RUSSELL, JOSHUA 

RYAN, MICHAEL 

SAHLI, GRAHAM 

SALAZAR, JOSHUA 

SALDIVAR, CRISTIAN 

SANCHEZ, ALBERTO 

SANOVICH, EDWARD 

SANTORE, DANA 

SASSNER, DAVID 

SATOVICH, ZANE 

SATTERTHWAITE, BRIAN 

SCALIO, JUSTIN 

SCHMOLL, JOEBERT 

SCHNEIDER, TIMOTHY 

SCHOKNECHT, JEFFREY 

SCHULTZ, PAUL 

SCHULTZ, RICHARD 

SCHULZ, LISA 

SCHWARTZBERG, DEVON 

SCOTT, JOHN 

SCOTT, PHILLIP 

SEAL, MARK 

SEARS, JAMES 

SEYLERSCHMIDT, GUSTAV 

SHARKEY, LISA 

SHEARN, MATTHEW 

SIMMONS, MATTHEW 

SINCLAIR, MELANIE 

SINKE, STACY 

SLETTO, LYNN 

SLOWIK, ANTHONY 

AMT3 

BMC 

OS1 

MSSE4 

LCDR 

ETC 

OSC 

PS1 

SN 

MKC 

BOSN3 

AST1 

MK1 

BM2 

AVI3 

ELC4 

MAT3 

SK1 

BMC 

CDR 

AMTC 

RADM 

BM1 

SK3 

EMC 

MKC 

MST1 

MEC 

BMC 

OSC 

HS1 

BMC 

MK1 

MK1 

LCDR 

MKCM 

CAPT 

CAPT 

LCDR 

CDR 

MST1 

GMC 

MKCS 

LCDR 

CDR 

MLES2 

BM1 

OSC 

BMCS 

CAPT 

ENG4 






















































SMITH, ADAM 

SMITH, CHARLES 

SMITH, CHRISTOPHER 

SMITH, MATTHEW 

SMITH, SKYLER 

SMITH, WILLIAM 

SNYDER, JAMES 

SOARES, CARL 

SOMODI, BENJAMIN 

SOREL, JESSE 

SOSA, REYNALDO 

SOUTHWORTH, JASON 

SPEERSCHNEIDER, CASEY 

SPENCE, NICHOLAS 

SPOLARICH, MATTHEW 

SPRICK, DONALD 

STAHL, DANIEL 

STANLEY, TOBIE 

STANSBERRY, CATHERINE 

STARKEY, KELLYN 

STORINO, MATTHEW 

STOUS, ROBERT 

STPIERRE, EDWARD 

SULLIVAN, CHRISTINA 

SULLIVAN, CONOR 

SULLIVAN, ERICA 

SULLIVAN, NEAL 

SUMMERS, JOSHUA 

SUNDLAND, JOSEPH 

SUTHERLAND, TIMOTHY 

BMC 

BM1 

AMT1 

CDR 

CSC 

BM1 

BMCS 

GMCM 

ME2 

MSSE2 

MSTC 

CMSCS 

ITC 

LCDR 

CDR 

MK1 

MKC 

ME1 

HSC 

MST1 

BMC 

CSC 

RDML 

CDR 

CDR 

HSC 

AMTC 

GMC 

CAPT 

HSC 































SUTTON, MARK 

SWEIGART, DANIEL 

SWOPE, AMANDA 

TAMBS-BUTLER, JENNIFER 

TAYLOR, COREY 

TERLINSKI, AIMEE 

THOMAS, PAUL 

THOMPSON, JOSHUA 

THOMPSON, KEITH 

TIPTON, JASON 

TOCHTERMAN, THEODORE 

TORPEY, DANIEL 

TORRE, ANDREW 

TUMLINSON, KELLY 

TURK, DEREK 

TURNER, DAVID 

TWOMEY, DAVID 

VALLIN, VICTOR 

VAN DE KROL, GERALYN 

VEGA, CRISTIAN 

VELEZ, ERIC 

VERITY, DOUGLAS 

WAGNER, THAD 

WALSH, TIMOTHY 

WALTON, JOHN 

WARDYNSKI, CASEY 

WATKINS, ANDREW 

WATSON, ERIC 

WATSON, ERIK 

WATT, CHRISTOPHER 

BM1 

CDR 

MST1 

BMC 

CDR 

AVI4 

VADM 

BM1 

YNC 

ET1 

BMC 

BM2 

OS1 

MECM 

SK1 

MLES2 

CDR 

OS1 

CDR 

OSS2 

CDR 

DCC 

BOSN4 

BMCS 

INV2 

BOSN2 

BMC 

LCDR 

BOSN4 

HS2 































RETIREMENTS 


69


WEAVER, KEVEN 

WEBER, CHRISTIANE 

WEIR, JOSEPH 

WEISENBAUGH, MICHAEL 

WENK, GERARD 

WETENKAMP, MELISSA 

WHEAT, CHARLES JOHN 

WHEELER, DANIEL 

WHITE, JENNIFER 

WHITE, WILLIAM 

WHITNEY, MATTHEW 

WIDMAIER, ROBERT 

WIEMERS, TODD 

WIGHTMAN, AUSTIN 

WIGHTMAN, MICHAEL 

WILDER, ERICK 

WILHITE, JENNIFER 

WILLIAMS, ANTHONY 

WILLIAMS, RICHARD 

WILLIAMS, SHARON 

WILLIAMS, SHAY 

! 

BERSANI, CHRISTOPHER 

BRAHIM, BEN 

CALLAHAN, CHRISTOPHER 

CASEY, MARIE 

CASSEL, KATHLEEN 

CLARY, DAWN 

COX, DEBORAH 

DALEY, WALTER 

DAYTON, MELBURN 

DECEDERFELT, RICHARD 

DEMARTINO, ROBERT 

DORSE, KAREN 

FORD, FOREST 

FOUSER, SANDRA 

GROENEWOLD, MATTHEW 

GUO, WEI 

HAIRSTON, SIDNEY 

HAYES, JOHN 

HILL, TOBY-VERN 

HLEBASKO, THOMAS 

HUNDLEY, LIZA 

JOHNICAN, TONYA 

LARKINS, ERIN 

USPHS 

MORGAN-GRIFFIN, PEGGY 

SK1 

CDR 

AMTCS 

BOSN4 

CDR 

CS1 

LTJG 

MST1 

YNC 

AETC 

LCDR 

BM2 

RADM 

LT 

LCDR 

AETC 

PERS3 

CAPT 

DCC 

YNC 

CDR 

CAPT 

CDR 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CDR 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

LCDR 

LCDR 

CDR 

CDR 

CAPT 

CDR 

LCDR 

CDR 

LCDR 

CDR 

CAPT 














































WILLIS, LAMONT 

WILSON, KEVIN 

WIMBERLEY, DANIEL 

WINCHESTER, CHRISTOPHER 

WINE, JOSHUA 

WINKELMANN, BRETT 

WINSTON, JEREMIAH 

WISINSKI, FAITH 

WOLF, BRAD 

WOLFE, FRANCIS 

WOLFE, MICHAEL 

WOOD, BRIAN 

WOODFIN, JOHN 

WRIGHT, DANIEL 

YECKLEY, ANDREW 

YERGEAU, ROBERT 

YOUNG, BRADFORD 

ZARICZNY, KEVIN 

ZAVALA, JUAN 

ZIMMERLE, TONI 

ZOZZARO, DERRICK 

USCG & USPHS are addressing errors in USPHS ranks due to differences in permanent and temporary ranks. Corrected 

ranks are denoted with an asterisk. 

NDIFOR, JOSEPH 

OCONNOR, MARY 

OLSSON, SASHA 

OVERMILLER, DEAN 

PATTERSON, JAMES 

SANTIAGO, ARMANDO 

SANTIBANEZ, SCOTT 

SCHILLING, BRIAN 

SCOGGIN, KRISTEN 

SIMON, ESAN 

SMITH, THERESA 

SOEDER, KURT 

STILLER, KARL 

STYLES, TIMOTHY 

SUNENSHINE, REBECCA 

TSATOKE, GORDON 

UNTHANK, SARAH 

VARGAS, ANTONIO 

WAGNER, DUANE 

WEAHKEE, MICHAEL 

WILLIAMS, NOVELLA 

WILLIAMS, TRACY 

YOUNG, CHARLA 

SK1 

MK1 

LT 

ME1 

CDR 

MKC 

MSSR3 

OS1 

ME1 

CDR 

CDR 

BM2 

BMC 

MKCS 

BM2 

LCDR 

AETCM 

OSS2 

HSC 

LCDR 

YN1 

LCDR 

CAPT 

LCDR 

CDR 

CDR 

CDR 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CDR 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CDR 

CDR 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

RADM 

CDR 

LCDR 

CDR 













































NOAA 

HEMMICK, PAUL CDR 09-01-2024 

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) 

DO NOT SEND PERSONAL IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION (PII), SUCH 

AS SSN, EMPID, THROUGH PUBLIC E-MAIL (E.G. AOL, G-MAIL, ETC.) 



RETIREMENTS 


71

TAPS 

BURIANEK, LADDIE 

ST CLAIR SHORES, MI 

FSC 

RET. 05-19-1997 

TAPS 04-03-2024 

CHRISTENSEN, JEFFREY 

CARLSBAD, CA 

MKCS 

RET. 03-30-2016 


TAPS 

BURSLEY, G H P 

SILVER SPRINGS, MD 

RADM 

RET. 10-01-1978 


CLANCY, EDWARD 

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, FL 

BOSN4 

RET. 02-01-1996 


BURT, DONALD 

SAINT CLOUD, FL 

PA1 

RET. 10-24-1993 


CLARK, ALFRED 

GRAND HAVEN, MI 

RD1 

RET. 08-01-1998 


BUSSARD, TYLER 

ZELIENOPLE, PA 

AETC 

RET. 12-01-2011 


CLARK, JAMES 

TEXARCANA, AR 

MSTC 

RET. 12-29-2006 


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. 

BUTLER, DONALD 

FOUNTAIN HILLS, AZ 

BUTTS, GARY 

ANAHEIM, CA 

BYERS, JOHN 

SAN ANTONIO, TX 

CDR 

BMC 

TCC 

RET. 08-11-1995 


RET. 11-01-2003 


RET. 07-01-1995 


CLONTZ, WILLIAM 

FREDRICKSBURG, VA 

COCKREL, ROBERT 

LOUDON, TN 

COHAN, DARVY 

DEL MAR, CA 

CDR 

CDR 

CAPT 

RET. 11-16-2002 


RET. 11-27-1996 


RET. 09-22-2003 


USCG 

CALHOUN, CHARLES 

FALCON, CO 

ADCS 

RET. 10-01-1984 


COLLINGS, BRUCE 

LAFAYETTE, IN 

LCDR 

RET. 08-01-1977 


ALFRED, GERALD 

SHREVEPORT, LA 

BOSN4 

RET. 03-01-1998 


BARTLETT, RAND 

MARBLEHEAD, MA 

GM1 

RET. 04-13-2007 


CALLAHAN, JOSEPH 

SHERWOOD, AR 

ATC 

RET. 09-01-1986 


CONWAY, TED 

SEA LEVEL, NC 

MK1 

RET. 03-25-1996 



ALVAREZ, JAMES 

MANVEL, TX 

ALVIAR, AUREO 

VENTURA, CA 

ANDRADE, MICHAEL 

VIRGINIA BCH, VA 

ANGEL, FLORENCIO 

TAGUIG CITY, METROM 

ANTOLOCK, NORMAN 

PORT ANGELES, WA 

ASHBAUGH, EDWARD 

CHULA VISTA, CA 

ASPIOTIS, SPYRIDON 

ARLINGTON, VA 

BAGLEY, EARL 

FITZGERALD, GA 

BAKES, CHARLES 

PALM COAST, FL 

BALL, WILLIAM 

PINELLAS PARK, FL 

BANDT, CURTIS 

LAKEVILLE, MN 

BM2 

FS1 

SKC 

ETC 

ADCS 

EMCS 

CDR 

BMC 

AE1 

INF3 

MSSE4 

RET. 07-18-1991 


RET. 06-01-1975 


RET. 09-01-2001 


RET. 08-01-1975 


RET. 04-01-1977 


RET. 07-07-1998 


RET. 04-02-1997 


RET. 10-01-1977 


RET. 07-01-1995 


RET. 04-01-1997 


RET. 12-01-2020 


BEAUCAGE, ROBERT 

KENT, WA 

BELL, GEORGE 

ELIZABETH CITY, NC 

BENHAM, EDWARD 

ORLANDO, FL 

BLAND, JASON 

JACKSONVILLE, FL 

BLOCH, JAMES 

VIRGINIA BEAC, VA 

BOHUNSKY, JOHN 

PORT CHARLOTTE, FL 

BOOTH, ALEXANDER 

WEST YARMOUTH, MA 

BRATTEN, JAMES 

DEAVER, WY 

BROGAN, TONY 

DAPHNE, AL 

BROWN, HERBERT 

SAULT STE MAR, MI 

BUNN, WINSTON 

MOUNT VERNON, WA 

QMCM 

ADC 

BM1 

MKC 

MKCS 

CAPT 

BM1 

AMC 

LT 

BM1 

ENG4 

RET. 12-01-1982 


RET. 09-01-1963 


RET. 03-23-1991 


RET. 09-01-2015 


RET. 03-01-1994 


RET. 06-06-1993 


RET. 08-01-1992 


RET. 08-01-1982 


RET. 08-01-2011 


RET. 06-01-1981 


RET. 06-22-1998 


CANNON, JAMES 

CHESAPEAKE, VA 

CARLILE, JOHN 

CENTRALIA, WA 

CARLISE, RICHARD 

CHESTER, NH 

CARR, WALTER 

BROOKFIELD, MO 

CASARI, JOSEPH 

APPLETON, WI 

CATE, CHARLES 

KILLEEN, TX 

CAULEY, CARL 

FOLEY, AL 

CHAMBERS, JAMES 

KINSTON, NC 

CHAMBERS, JAMES 

PARADISE, TX 

CHANEY, STEPHEN 

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 

CHESTNUT, IVAN 

NEWPORT NEWS, VA 

CDR 

CDR 

MKCS 

CWO4 

BMCS 

CWO4 

HSC 

BMC 

LCDR 

BMC 

YN2 

RET. 10-01-2016 


RET. 07-01-1978 


RET. 05-01-1981 


RET. 07-01-1989 


RET. 09-01-1975 


RET. 08-01-1984 


RET. 03-01-1985 


RET. 08-01-1980 


RET. 07-01-1996 


RET. 09-08-2010 


RET. 08-02-2004 


COOK, MICHAEL 

NORTH VASSALBORO, ME 

COOKE, CLIFFORD 

MARSHALL, MN 

COOPER, JAMES 

FORKS, WA 

CORLEY, PATRICK 

WINDSOR, SC 

COSTA, DANE 

MAPLES, FL 

CRISP, PETER 

ASTORIA, OR 

CRITCHLEY, BENJAMIN 

ROCHESTER, NY 

DAMRELL, LARRY 

HOUSTON, TX 

DASSATT, ANTHONY 

PALM HARBOR, FL 

DAVIS, DAVID 

FT LAUDERDALE, FL 

DEGRAZIA, JAMES 

LONE OAK, TX 

BM1 

BM1 

FSCS 

CWO3 

BM2 

QMCS 

BMC 

MSTC 

AMT1 

DCC 

MKC 

RET. 12-01-1991 


RET. 08-23-1999 


RET. 03-01-1980 


RET. 10-01-1980 


RET. 09-06-2006 


RET. 01-01-1991 


RET. 09-01-1979 


RET. 03-09-2010 


RET. 10-01-2000 


RET. 11-29-1966 


RET. 10-01-1995 





73

TAPS 

GILLEST, PAUL 

CLEVELAND, OH 

SKC 

RET. 10-01-2001 


HESS, LIONEL 

PETALUMA, CA 

PSS3 

RET. 07-11-1994 


TAPS 

GOLLON, EDWARD 

PORTSMOUTH, VA 

SK2 

RET. 09-01-1995 


HICKS, HARVEY 

WOODLAND, WA 

ELC4 

RET. 05-01-1991 


GORHAM, JOHN 

XENIA, OH 

CAPT 

RET. 11-24-1995 


HIRTZEL, FRED 

CHURCH HILL, MD 

YNC 

RET. 10-01-1996 


GRACEY, DANE 

BRADENTON, FL 

SR 

RET. 05-03-1988 


HOCHHALTER, CHRISTOPHER 

CALDWELL, ID 

DC3 

RET. 10-15-1999 


GRAVES, ERNEST 

SANTA CLARA, CA 

CDR 

RET. 06-14-1998 


HOCHHALTER, LEROY 

HERMISTON, OR 

MK1 

RET. 12-14-1996 


GRIFFITH, TOMMIE 

TAMPA, FL 

TTC 

RET. 11-01-1977 


HOLLSTEIN, JAMES 

BALLWIN, MO 

HS2 

RET. 05-31-2012 


GUNN, CHARLES 

HOTSPRINGS, AR 

BMCM 

RET. 06-01-1997 


HOLMES, JIMMIE 

BEAVERCREEK, OH 

AD1 

RET. 08-01-1975 


HACKETT, MICHAEL 

PLYMOUTH, MA 

BM2 

RET. 10-17-2009 


HOLUB, JOHN 

UMPQUA, OR 

CDR 

RET. 07-01-1998 


HAM, WILLIAM 

ILWACO, WA 

BOSN4 

RET. 09-01-1995 


HURLY, JAMES 

WARMINSTER, PA 

LT 

RET. 05-27-2005 



DOBSON, WILLIAM 

RENO, NV 

DRUMMOND, JAMES 

PORT ST LUCIE, FL 

DRYDEN, CHARLES 

MACHIPONGO, VA 

DUDEMAINE, RUSSELL 

ESMOND, RI 

DURFEE, JAMES 

WESTMINSTER, MD 

DURHAM, RAYMOND 

CRISFIELD, MD 

DUVAL, RICHARD 

HAPPY VALLEY, OR 

ECHOLS, JERRY 

PHOENIX, AZ 

FIELDER, BOBBY 

HUDSON, FL 

FLANAGAN, WILLIAM 

ATHENS, TX 

FLEMING, GARY 

CAPE CORAL, FL 

MKCM 

YNCS 

CWO4 

BM1 

CAPT 

BM1 

PSS4 

LT 

AVI4 

EMC 

MKC 

RET. 02-24-1999 


RET. 08-01-1980 


RET. 02-01-1989 


RET. 11-01-1990 


RET. 07-01-1974 


RET. 12-01-1996 


RET. 08-26-1991 


RET. 07-01-1977 


RET. 01-01-1993 


RET. 03-01-1979 


RET. 12-01-2011 


FORBES, BENJAMIN 

DELTONA, FL 

FREESE, FREDERICK 

WILDOMAR, CA 

FULLER, MARVIN 

BELLA VISTA, AR 

GALASKE, THOMAS 

ENFIELD, CT 

GALVAN, SUSANA 

ONTARIO, CA 

GARDNER, EDWIN 

ROCKWALL, TX 

GARI, ROBERT 

SUN CITY WEST, AZ 

GARNETT, DONALD 

BRADENTON, FL 

GARREN, DEE 

PALMER, AK 

GELWICKS, THOMAS 

CHARLESTON, SC 

GETCHELL, LENNIS 

BELLINGHAM, WA 

FSC 

BMCM 

AM1 

LCDR 

SK2 

RM2 

DCCM 

BMC 

BM1 

BMCS 

CWO3 

RET. 04-01-1976 


RET. 03-01-1970 


RET. 10-01-1989 


RET. 12-22-1989 


RET. 03-14-2019 


RET. 01-12-1962 


RET. 07-01-1986 


RET. 08-01-1981 


RET. 02-01-1986 


RET. 04-03-1989 


RET. 08-01-1974 


HARPER, LEONARD 

ATLANTA, GA 

HARPER, ROBERT 

NAVARRE, FL 

HAWLK, BARRY 

MIDDLEBURG, FL 

HAYES, PHILIP 

ROCHESTER, NY 

HAYS, JULIUS 

HUDSON, FL 

HEDLUND, VIRGIL 

EUREKA, CA 

HEMPECK, REGINALD 

EDENTON, NC 

HERBERT, JOHN 

ST PETERSBURG, FL 

HERRAN, LERRY 

BELLEVILLE, IL 

HERST, HOWARD 

PRESCOTT, AZ 

HESS, DAVE 

ELKO, NV 

SD1 

LT 

BM1 

FS1 

CWO3 

FS1 

CWO4 

EN1 

FS1 

MKC 

BMC 

RET. 07-01-1969 


RET. 03-01-2002 


RET. 11-30-2006 


RET. 10-01-1982 


RET. 07-01-1987 


RET. 11-10-1989 


RET. 04-01-1986 


RET. 05-01-1971 


RET. 09-01-2013 


RET. 12-19-1993 


RET. 01-01-1992 


HUTCHINSON, WILLIAM 

NEEDHAM, MA 

HYATT, DALLAS 


IMOTO, HARRY 

CLARKSVILLE, TN 

IRWIN, DANIEL 

DARTMOUTH, MA 

JACKSON, MICHAEL 

WOOSTER, OH 

JACOBSON, ROBERT 

ASTORIA, OR 

JANABAJAB, MARIO 

LORTON, VA 

JEFFERSON, SHIRLEY 

WESTWEGO, LA 

JOHNSON, PERCY 

DAYTON, TX 

JONES, JAMES 

PORTSMOUTH, VA 

JONES, PETER 

NIANTIC, CT 

LCDR 

AD1 

CWO3 

MKC 

CDR 

CWO4 

FSC 

SK1 

CWO3 

ET1 

BMC 

RET. 11-26-2000 


RET. 06-01-1990 


RET. 04-01-1976 


RET. 02-01-1976 


RET. 09-23-2007 


RET. 06-01-1982 


RET. 01-21-1971 


RET. 01-30-2011 


RET. 02-26-1984 


RET. 07-05-1997 


RET. 02-01-1980 





75

TAPS 

JONES, ROBERT 


F&S4 

RET. 04-01-1996 


LLOYD, ANTHONY 

CASTRO VALLEY, CA 

CWO3 

RET. 04-01-1980 


MORGAN, DENNIS 

WOODINVILLE, WA 

SKC 

RET. 10-01-1980 


PARNELL, RONALD 

MT ERIE, MD 

MKC 

RET. 09-01-1977 


TAPS 

KARP, RONALD 

LADY LAKE, FL 

AVI4 

RET. 02-14-1995 


LLOYD, ROBERT 

CHESAPEAKE, VA 

ETCS 

RET. 01-01-1995 

TAPS 12-26-2023 

MORTORFF, EUGENE 

EAST BERLIN, PA 

LT 

RET. 07-01-1995 


PEARSON, STEPHEN 

TROY, IL 

LCDR 

RET. 11-13-1999 


KAUFMAN, JAY 

YONA, GU 

BM3 

RET. 03-02-2004 


LOCKHART, THOMAS 

LOMPOC, CA 

ETCS 

RET. 07-01-1980 


MOSS, RONALD 

FORT BLACKMORE, VA 

SA 

RET. 05-21-1963 


PERRY, WALLACE 

BOISE, ID 

GMC 

RET. 11-01-2005 


KENNEDY, DAVID 

QUAKER HILL, CT 

MSTCS 

RET. 10-01-1994 


LOUD, JOHN 

MT SINAI, NY 

PO2 

RET. 07-16-2001 


MURRAY, WILLIAM 

CLEARWATER, FL 

CDR 

RET. 02-01-1983 


POTITO, JOHN 

WAREHAM, MA 

MKC 

RET. 01-01-1983 

TAPS 04-19-2023 

KINNE, RODNEY 

BATTLE CREEK, MI 

SN 

RET. 07-01-1955 


MACLEAN, WENDY 

PHOENIX, AZ 

OSC 

RET. 04-01-2010 


NACIONALES, PEPITO 

SACARMENTO, CA 

EMCS 

RET. 12-01-1989 


POUNDS, GERALD 

KETTLE FALLS, WA 

CDR 

RET. 08-01-1979 


KLINDER, DON 

THURMONT, MA 

PO1 

RET. 10-27-2000 


MADRID, CARLOS 


CDR 

RET. 03-08-1994 


NADEAU, EUGENE 

BRAMPTON, MI 

CWO2 

RET. 03-01-1979 


POWELL, WILLIAM 

BEDFORD, KY 

MEC 

RET. 09-01-2013 


KLUMB, DAVID 

KEMAH, TX 

PERS2 

RET. 10-01-2001 


MAGALLANES, PAUL 

MILLBRAE, CA 

MKC 

RET. 08-01-2007 


NAVERA, RODOLFO 

PITTSBURG, CA 

FS1 

RET. 06-01-1975 


PRINCE, MELVIN 

MCKINNEY, TX 

MKCM 

RET. 09-01-1977 


KNOWLES, ERNEST 

TAMPA, FL 

ATC 

RET. 11-01-1967 


MANCINI, ALFREDO 

CLIFTON, NJ 

EMCM 

RET. 07-03-1984 


OBRIEN, ROBERT 

SOUTH RIDING, VA 

YN2 

RET. 10-27-1958 


PRINGLE, ROBERT 

PORT ANGELES, WA 

ETC 

RET. 11-01-2011 


KOCH, FREDERICK 


MKC 

RET. 11-01-1990 


MANUEL, FEDERICO 

ELK GROVE, CA 

BMC 

RET. 12-01-1984 


ODONNELL, SHAWN 

SYRACUSE, NY 

ET1 

RET. 07-01-2004 


PRINGLE, STANLEY 

FEDERAL WAY, WA 

YNC 

RET. 07-01-1995 



KOCH, GEORGE 

PONTE VEDRA, FL 

KRAINE, GILBERT 

ORLANDO, FL 

KRUSCHKE, DOUGLAS 


LAMBERTSON, KENNETH 

FORT FRANCIS, ON 

LEGATE, FRANK 

INDIALANTIC, FL 

LEISHER, KENNETH 

ATLANTIC BEACH, FL 

LEMAY, ROGER 

BIDDEFORD, ME 

LEWIS, DAVID 

KINGS MOUNTAIN, NC 

LIDSTONE, NORMAN 

BRISTOL, RI 

LINN, JAMES 

MILL CITY, OR 

LITTLE, HARVEY 

VALRICO, FL 

LCDR 

CAPT 

SKCM 

LCDR 

LT 

STCS 

FS1 

BMC 

MKC 

RDC 

LCDR 

RET. 03-14-1995 


RET. 07-01-1979 


RET. 06-01-1983 


RET. 09-01-1972 


RET. 04-01-1983 


RET. 02-01-1993 


RET. 11-04-2003 


RET. 11-01-2013 


RET. 04-01-1979 


RET. 10-01-1982 


RET. 08-01-1978 


MARLEY, LAVERNE 

MILWAUKIE, OR 

MARTIN, WILLIAM 

DULUTH, MN 

MASTERSON, FRANK 

SANTA ROSA, CA 

MAYTHER, RAYMOND 

SPOKANE, WA 

MCCLOUD, ROBERT 

DAPHNE, AL 

MCCOWEN, SCOTT 

SATELLITE BEACH, FL 

MCINTYRE, HAROLD 

APPCHE JUNCTI, AZ 

MCVANE, CLEVE 

PLEASANT HILL, CA 

MERS, RONALD 

SANTA ANA, CA 

MINTNER, JOSEPH 

HIGGINSVILLE, MO 

MOORE, RICHARD 

HAMLET, NC 

BM1 

MK2 

FSCM 

CM1 

BMC 

CDR 

MKC 

ADC 

CAPT 

PSC 

CWO4 

RET. 04-19-2005 


RET. 12-01-1977 


RET. 11-01-1982 


RET. 04-23-1999 


RET. 07-01-1982 


RET. 06-01-1983 


RET. 06-01-1980 


RET. 06-01-1979 


RET. 01-27-2004 


RET. 02-15-2006 


RET. 08-01-1986 


OGLE, DAVID 


OHARA, RICHARD 

MASHPEE, MA 

OKLOCK, MELVIN 

MT SINAI, NY 

OLIVER, MARGARET 

S THOMASTON, ME 

ONEAL, ELLIS 

LECANTO, FL 

ONEILL, JEREMIAH 

FALMOUTH, MA 

ORNOWSKI, JOSEPH 

BOTHEL, WA 

PADGETT, JAMES 

HOLLY RIDGE, NC 

PADGETT, LONNIE 

MONTICELLO, FL 

PAKULA, PHILIP 

REDDING, CT 

PARAS, CEASAR 


F&S4 

AEC 

LCDR 

YNC 

AM1 

BMCM 

DCCS 

EM1 

CWO4 

CDR 

CWO4 

RET. 09-01-2005 


RET. 11-01-1977 


RET. 04-03-1988 


RET. 05-16-2003 


RET. 09-01-1992 


RET. 05-19-1977 


RET. 07-01-1985 


RET. 07-01-1974 


RET. 02-01-1980 


RET. 04-20-1990 


RET. 10-01-1985 


PUNKO, NICHOLAS 

WILKES BARRE, PA 

PUTT, ERNEST 

SUFFOLK, VA 

RANDLE, JAMES 

ARLINGTON, VA 

RANSOM, HAROLD 

TACOMA, WA 

RAPER, EDWIN 

WHEELING, WV 

REDWINE, WILLIAM 

DILLSBORO, IN 

REED, RODWELL 

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, OH 

REYNOLDS, BUD 

VELVEDEIRE, NC 

REYNOLDS, WILLIAM 

CAPE CHARLES, VA 

RICHARDSON, RICHARD 

EL CAJON, CA 

RIDENOUR, TERRY 

PLEASANTON, CA 

CWO4 

EMCS 

CAPT 

CDR 

PS1 

CWO3 

YNC 

MK2 

BMCS 

CWO3 

YNC 

RET. 10-15-1988 


RET. 08-01-1969 


RET. 07-01-1981 


RET. 02-01-1994 


RET. 07-17-2003 


RET. 06-01-1987 


RET. 09-01-1984 


RET. 10-01-1999 


RET. 07-01-2001 


RET. 10-01-1980 


RET. 11-14-2009 





77

TAPS 

ROBINSON, DONALD 

SWANSBORO, NC 

BMCS 

RET. 08-01-1974 


SLOVENZ, STEPHEN 

WOLFVILLE, NS 

BMCM 

RET. 09-06-1999 


TOMLIN, THOMAS 

CRYSTAL BEACH, FL 

SKCM 

RET. 06-01-1979 


WEBB, RONALD 

DAPHNE, AL 

HSC 

RET. 07-01-1970 


TAPS 

ROBINSON, MICHAEL 

STURGIS, SD 

ELC4 

RET. 10-01-1990 


SMITH, DAVID 

BIRMINGHAM, AL 

ENG2 

RET. 03-01-1995 


TOW, JAMES 

WEATHERFORD, TX 

AECS 

RET. 02-01-1978 


WETTERS, DONALD 

WATTERLOO, IL 

CDR 

RET. 07-01-1993 


RUDD, VERNON 

JACKSONVILLE, FL 

TTC 

RET. 08-01-1998 


SMITH, JEFFREY 

DUMFRIES, VA 

ITCS 

RET. 09-01-2016 


TOWER, FRANK 

GIG HARBOR, WA 

BMCM 

RET. 02-01-1985 


WHITE, MARVIN 

NEWFIELD, NJ 

MKC 

RET. 06-01-2004 


RUSSO, RUDOLPH 

CLAREMONT, VA 

LT 

RET. 05-26-2006 


SMITH, RAYMOND 

ASTORIA, OR 

MKC 

RET. 07-01-1984 


TULPPO, RONALD 

CLEARWATER, FL 

SKCM 

RET. 09-01-1975 


WHITING, GEORGE 

AUGUSTA, GA 

LT 

RET. 11-01-1980 


RYAN, ROBERT 

GARDINER, NY 

MKC 

RET. 04-09-2019 


SMITH, ROBERT 

WINTER HAVEN, FL 

BMCM 

RET. 03-01-1975 


VANHORSEN, PETER 

WICHITA, KS 

LCDR 

RET. 10-01-1970 


WHITT, DOUGLAS 

ROSE HILL, KS 

BM2 

RET. 09-03-1975 


SARGENT, QUENTIN 

LAKE CITY, MI 

SKCS 

RET. 04-01-1978 


SPECK, STEVEN 

TULARE, CA 

GMC 

RET. 12-01-2013 


VITKOVICH, JOSEPH 

MOORESVILLE, NC 

EM3 

RET. 07-02-1964 


WILBURN, KENNETH 

ALCOA, TN 

PSS4 

RET. 08-31-2004 


SAWYER, THOMAS 

TOPSHAM, ME 

LCDR 

RET. 01-28-2009 


SPENCER, WILLIAM 

BELLAIRE, MI 

BOSN2 

RET. 05-01-1993 


VOIGT, GEORGE 

LOCUST GROVE, GA 

BMC 

RET. 07-01-1978 


WILSON, JOHN 

WILMINGTON, NC 

CDR 

RET. 05-23-1992 


SCOTT, STEPHEN 

LAS VEGAS, NV 

YN1 

RET. 07-01-1974 


SPORL, JAY 

CAPE MAY, NJ 

AEC 

RET. 09-01-1989 


WALTON, DONALD 

WEST JORDAN, UT 

HSC 

RET. 03-21-1991 


WOOLEVER, BRAD 

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 

EMC 

RET. 08-01-2016 


SCULLION, DANIEL 

MOORESTOWN, NJ 

YN2 

RET. 10-01-2001 


STEGALL, ROBERT 

NEDERLAND, TX 

ENG2 

RET. 09-01-1998 


WASSENBERG, KARL 

SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MI 

CAPT 

RET. 07-01-1983 


YELLIN, EDWARD 

ARDEN, NC 

MKC 

RET. 03-21-2008 



SELLERS, RALPH 

HOT SPRINGS, AR 

SHEDAKER, THOMAS 

HOWELL, NJ 

SHERMAN, JOSEPH 

NUNICA, MI 

TT1 

SN 

SKC 

RET. 08-01-1974 


RET. 01-30-1967 


RET. 12-01-1978 


STEVENS, CHARLES 

WYOMING, DE 

STEWART, HAROLD 

WESTERLY, RI 

STOUT, DONALD 

TRINITY, NC 

STREIFFERT, JOHN 

SPOKANE, WA 

TATES, SHEILA 

WEST DES MOINES, IA 

TAYLOR, GEORGE 

GREENVILLE, OH 

TAYLOR, JOHN 

BURLINGTON, NC 

THOENI, KENNETH 

COLGATE, WI 

THOMAS, GENE 

BIRMINGHAM, AL 

THOMAS, SIDNEY 

PENSACOLA, FL 

THURMAN, PETER 

LA MESA, CA 

MSTC 

DCC 

SK1 

AD1 

YN3 

MK1 

BMC 

BOSN4 

BM2 

CAPT 

CDR 

RET. 05-01-1978 


RET. 08-01-1976 


RET. 02-01-1981 


RET. 11-01-1976 

TAPS 06-27-2022 

RET. 02-10-1997 


RET. 09-01-2017 


RET. 11-01-1984 


RET. 12-01-1991 


RET. 07-01-1995 


RET. 01-13-2002 


RET. 10-18-1999 


WEATHERS, CHRISTOPHER 

KILLEN, AL 

USPHS 

ADELSTEIN, ROBERT 

BALTIMORE, MD 

AIRD, GORDON 

MESA, AZ 

BACHMAN, LEONARD 

ROCKVILLE, MD 

BAILEY, KENNETH 

LAKEWOOD, WA 

BERARDINELLI, STEPHEN 

MORGANTOWN, WV 

BREMAN, JOEL 

CHEVY CHASE, MD 

BROWN, WILLIAM 

SALISBURY, NC 

CURRIER, DEAN 

GEORGETOWN, KY 

FEIGENBAUM, ERNEST 

FT MYERS, FL 

FS2 

CAPT 

CAPT 

RADM 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CDR 

CAPT 

CAPT 

RET. 06-07-2006 


RET. 03-01-1998 


RET. 02-01-1981 


RET. 02-01-1993 


RET. 02-01-1996 


RET. 05-01-2002 


RET. 01-01-1997 


RET. 08-01-1983 


RET. 12-01-1973 


RET. 12-01-1986 


ZAGORSKI, THOMAS 

MERIDEN, CT 

FUERMANN, OTTILIA 

SAN DIEGO, CA 

GOMES, RONALD 

LEXINGTON, MA 

GOVER, BENNY 

WEST FORK, AR 

GRIMLEY, KENNETH 

RALEIGH, NC 

GUTH, LLOYD 

ELLIOT CITY, MD 

HINKLE, DONALD 

RALEIGH, NC 

HOLBROOK, JEROME 

TUCSON, AZ 

HOLCOMB, WILLIAM 

SILVER SPRING, MD 

KOPCHO, MICHAEL 

SEATTLE, WA 

MKC 

CDR 

CAPT 

LT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

RET. 05-09-1997 

TAPS 07-22-2022 

RET. 08-01-2004 


RET. 07-01-1983 


RET. 04-01-1997 


RET. 02-01-1997 


RET. 07-01-1975 


RET. 09-01-1979 


RET. 08-01-2005 


RET. 02-01-2000 


RET. 08-01-1992 





79

TAPS 

LEATHERWOOD, ERNEST 

EAST HAMPTON, NY 

POPKES, DONALD 

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA 

RENO, STANLEY 

LAKEWOOD, CO 

ROBINSON, WILLIAM 

DELAND, FL 

SCHNEIDER, KENNETH 

GLASTONBURY, CT 

SCOTT, WALTER 

FALLON, NV 

SEVER, JOHN 

ROCKVILLE, MD 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

RET. 10-01-1982 


RET. 10-01-1981 


RET. 01-01-1987 


RET. 01-01-1996 


RET. 04-01-1993 


RET. 09-01-2004 


RET. 11-01-1988 


TEMPLIN, DAVID 

ANCHORAGE, AK 

THELEN, DONALD 

ALBUQUERQUE, NM 

THERIEN, ESTELLE 

GREENVILLE, RI 

THOMSON, LYNN 

LOGAN, UT 

TRIPP, LARRY 

HOMER, AK 

WOODARD, DAVID 

CEDAR HILL, TX 

ZAGULA, MATTHEW 

GEORGETOWN, KY 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CDR 

CDR 

CDR 

LCDR 

RET. 10-01-1989 


RET. 07-01-1998 


RET. 01-01-1996 


RET. 06-01-1983 


RET. 01-01-1992 


RET. 05-01-2015 


RET. 04-01-2023 


DEPENDENT TAPS 

SUSAN M. EASTERDAY 

WIFE OF MK1 TIMOTHY A. EASTERDAY, USCG (RET) 

PALM BAY, FL 

DELPHINE R. RECKITT 

WIFE OF THE LATE CAPT JACK RECKETT, USCG (RET) 

ALEXANDRIA, VA 

YOSHIE VERGOT 

WIFE OF CWO4 STEPHEN J. VERGOT, USCG (RET) 

MECHANICSBURG, PA 

PAMELA RUTH LEWACK 

WIFE OF MSTCS MARK A. LEWACK, USCG (RET) 

YERUHAM, ISRAEL 

SUSAN L. POLK 

WIFE OF LT. MICHAEL POLK, USCG (RET) 

DANVILLE, CA 

LILLIAN FAY DANNENBERG 

WIFE OF CDR EDWARD J. DANNENBERG, USPHS (RET) 

ROUND ROCK, TX 

JUNE LOUISE JEANTET 

WIFE OF THE LATE STCM RICHARD PERSHING JEANTET, USCG (RET) 

TAYLOR, TX 

07-23-2023 







TAPS 

KATHLEEN M. FOSTER 

LEXINGTON, KY 

MICHELE M. LARSON 

CAPE CORAL, FL 

WIFE OF MK1 JOHN R. FOSTER, USCG (RET) 

WIFE OF CWO3 JAN “JD” LARSON, USCG (RET) 




SHIRLEY BENHAM 

SALISBURY, MD 

ROSITA R. AVILLA 

AIEA, HI 

WENDY MEI CHAI KAM REDMAN 

HONOLULU, HI 

KATHLEEN A. UEBERSAX 

THE VILLAGES, FL 

INTA R. FUNK 

KERRVILLE, TX 

CINDY LOU ROGERS 

SPRINGFIELD, MO 

JOAN BELL 

LANSDALE, PA 

CARYL CALLSEN 

PACIFIC GROVE, PA 

LINDA MESSNER SKAKLE 

COLUMBIA, MD 

LORETTA SUE SALINAS 

ALICE, TX 

MAJORIE BERNICE 

LONGVIEW, TX 

NATALIE GRANT 

PINEHURST, ID 

WIFE OF THE LATE BM1 EDWARD BENHAM, USCG (RET) 

WIFE OF CWO3 STEVE J. AVILLA, USCG (RET) 

WIFE OF ETC GARY REDMAN, USCG (RET) 

WIFE OF PSC ERNEST L. UEBERSAX, USCG (RET) 

WIFE OF CAPT ERIK N. FUNK, USCG (RET) 

WIFE OF MKC CLAY A. ROGERS, USCG (RET) 

WIFE OF CAPT GORDON L. BELL, USCGR (RET) 

WIFE OF PERS4 BRIAN GRAY, USCG (RET) 

WIFE OF AD1 JOHN SKAKLE, USCG (RET) 

WIFE OF ADC LOUIS SALINAS, USCG (RET) 

WIFE OF CWO3 DONALD HAND, USCG (RET) 

WIFE OF ADC DAVID V. GRANT, USCG (RET) 





11-29-2023 



07-26-24 








81

CHAPLAIN'S CORNER 

WHAT IS YOUR 

ANCHOR 

OMISSIONS 


Over the years of ministry on various sea 

service platforms in the Navy, Marine 

Corps, and Coast Guard, I have asked 

sailors, marines, and sentinels that very 

question—what is your anchor? The 

metaphor of a ship’s anchor can be a 

valuable image adopted into our personal lives. 

Life can often be an enduring battle against 

a series of storms, a swale of stressors, or the 

ever-changing tides and currents that push and 

pull us to dangerous places. The conditions that 

cause us to drift can be found in every aspect 

of life—our relationships, our work, our physical 

and mental health, and especially those deeper 

and often complex places like our spiritual lives. 

We live in an information age, where practically 

anything we want to know or see or don’t want 

to see is streaming before us at a rapid rate. 

We easily find ourselves floating aimlessly in an 

endless sea of images and videos that so easily 

trap us into “comparison mode.” Suddenly, we 

find ourselves off course! We drift into asking 

the wrong questions such as how we look, what 

we have, and what we’ve accomplished. This 

course leads to discontentment, dissatisfaction, 

and inadequacies. This is why having an anchor 

in life is so important! 

A ship’s anchor is an important piece of equipment 

used to keep vessels on course. Embedding 

itself into the seabed or riverbed, an anchor can 

provide resistance against the forces of wind, 

currents, and tides. In the same way, an anchor 

for our soul is the very object or belief system that 

secures our hope even with life’s gale-force winds 

of change and uncertainty. It helps give meaning 

and purpose to life, while keeping us grounded 

and resilient. It helps us remain on course! 

Life’s anchor can be in the form of community, 

connecting with the divine, or pursuing service. 

Remaining tethered to such an anchor can steady 

and strengthen us with courage, confidence, and 

perseverance through the constantly changing 

trends of our culture and the ever-brewing storms 

of life. So, what is your anchor? 

CAPT Jennifer Bowden is the 13th chaplain of 

the United States Coast Guard. She is the first 

woman to hold the position. CAPT Bowden is 

a United States Navy Chaplain Corps officer 

who is attached to USCG Headquarters in 

Washington, D.C. She reports directly to the 

commandant of the Coast Guard. 

CAPT Jennifer Bowden 

13th Chaplain of the 

United States Coast Guard 

MONUMENTAL 

OMISSIONS 

How many times have you come across a 

memorial, military display, or something 

of that nature only to notice the Coast 

Guard was omitted? How many times 

have you attended a military event, 

military association sponsored event, or 

something similar only to see the Coast Guard 

omitted? 

The next time it happens, why not challenge 

yourself to have it corrected. It’s really not too 

difficult, doesn’t often involve a lot of time, and 

it’s quite rewarding when you are successful. 

In November 2021, I attended the Veterans Day 

Memorial Service in Praha, Texas, with CWO4 

Tony Fikac, USCG (Ret.) and our wives. We 

noticed the Coast Guard emblem was missing 

from the WWII Memorial at the cemetery there. 

Afterwards, we drafted a letter to the Praha 

Veterans Club to consider taking lead in 

correcting this deficiency—and they did! 

In 2023, Mr. Fikac decided to challenge himself 

to get the Veterans War Memorial in Shiner, 

Texas, corrected as the Coast Guard had been 

omitted. That memorial included engravings for 

four of the DoD services, the American Legion, 

and Shiner VFW. Tony brought the issue to the 

attention of those service organizations and the 

Shiner City Council and recommended covering 

the six existing engravings with bronze insignias 

representing the six armed forces. He was 

successful and the updated Shiner Veterans 

War Memorial was finished in time for the 2024 

Annual Shiner Memorial Day Ceremony. 

If you encounter an opportunity to correct a 

Coast Guard omission, I hope you’ll accept the 

challenge and take it on! 

Best wishes 

for success! 



Rick Trent 

Praha, Texas, WWII Memorial 

Seventh Master Chief Petty Officer of the 

Coast Guard 


83

VIETNAM 


U.S. ARMY 

VIETNAM VETERAN 

& COAST GUARD 

SHIPMATE 

“GUNNER” 

the Money 

Clip 

Thanks to Mr. John Barrows, Sr. for kindly mailing 

me a money clip, which reminded him of his 

Coast Guard buddy “Gunner” in Vietnam. While it 

appears, upon further inspection, to be a U.S. Navy 

money clip, it in no way diminishes his thoughtful 

outreach and poignant story – highlighting the 

dedicated service and kindred spirits of two Army 

and Coast Guard warriors. 

—Bob Hinds, CG Retiree Services 

To not frighten my wife and mother, I 

took off my helmet, my fl ack jacket, 

web gear, and weapon, and said to my 

buddy, “Quick take a picture of this.” 

(Portrait photo above.) My loved ones 

believed I was somewhere where there were 

no dangers—no action—and I was living it up 

in safe Saigon. Sometimes you just have to lie 

for the sake of your loved ones. 

I only knew him by his last name “Gunner.” 

Gunner thought he’d join the Coast Guard and 

have sweet duty in San Diego training troops in 

in proper operation of a swift boat. As fate would 

have it, he was so good, they shipped him off to 

Vietnam, teaching South Vietnam soldiers how 

to drive and operate the first swift boat. 

In 1969, near Christmas, I came back to my 

room to find I had a new roommate. Gunner 

was bigger than me and built like a football 

player. We soon developed a good friendship 

and often shared our day’s activities. He usually 

took the soldiers out for a couple days and one 

day in port. 

After a few weeks, he started getting irate. The 

rule of combat is when attacked, go on the 

attack! Your enemies want to pick you off. If you 

spontaneously go on the attack and hit them 

with everything you’ve got, you’ll catch them 

unprepared and surprised. Gunner told me 

that every time they got hit, he’d steer directly 

at the enemy and "go man the 60." He said 

his (expletive) untrained soldiers would just run 

below deck and hide, while he singly went on 

the attack. 

One time, I hadn’t seen him in three days, so 

I went down to the docks on the Saigon River. 

There was his boat. As I got nearer, a 10-foot 

tall, humongous marine barked “HALT!” Then 

I saw a huge puddle of blood on the deck 

under the 60 and the yellow and red flag of 

the South Vietnamese Army. I instantly wanted 

to get that flag for Gunner. It’s not how big the 

dog is in the fight, it’s how big the fight is in 

the dog! By then I had a head of steam and 

beelined to the gangplank. The Marine hollered 

“HALT” again, but this time I bashed into him 

with all my might saying, "get (expletive) out of 

the way," dashed to the bow, brought that flag 

SP/5 John Barrows, Sr. 

U.S. Army, 4th PSY/OPS 

Saigon, Vietnam 6/69 – 6/70 

down, and stormed off the gangplank—hearing 

him hollering obscenities. I still have the South 

Vietnamese Army flag in my wife’s old cedar 

chest. 

For many years, I had a fire in me from that day. 

My wife and son and I took a short trip to D.C. 

and we went to the Smithsonian. I then took a 

deep breath and said let’s go to the Wall. As 

soon as we got there, I went right to the book 

to see where Gunner was. His name wasn’t in 

the book! Gunner survived! My heart was so 

elated. I rode a happy wave for quite a while. 

If anyone can be of 

help in reconnecting 

me with Gunner, I’d 

love to give him the 

flag of the Republic 

of South Vietnam. 

U.S. COAST GUARD RETIREE INFORMATION VIETNAM 



85

PPC-RAS 


THE U.S. PUBLIC HEALTH 

SERVICE STILL FLYING HIGH 

AFTER 226 YEARS 

IN SERVICE OF HEALTH 

AND THE U.S. COAST GUARD 

The USPHS Commissioned Corps officers have 

provided medical care to the Coast Guard for 

more than 200 years. Today, under 42 U.S.C 

§253, the USPHS Commissioned Corps serves 

as the uniformed medical providers for the 

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). Currently, there 

are 147 USPHS Commissioned Corps offi cers 

assigned to the Coast Guard at land units and 

aboard cutters serving in healthcare positions 

such as physician, physician assistant, dentist, 

psychologist, social worker, environmental health 

officer, pharmacist, nurse, and medical officer. 

The assistant commandant of health, safety and 

work-life (CG-1K) and chief medical offi cer of 

the Coast Guard is RADM Paul Jung, a USPHS 

commissioned corps medical officer. 

1986: Andy Lee Howay was born in flight at 

12,000 feet over Gaylord, Michigan, aboard 

Coast Guard HU-25 CGNR 2110 flying out of Air 

Station Traverse City. He was born two months 

premature and weighed 3.5 pounds upon birth. 

Aboard the aircraft were CAPT Martin Nemiroff, 

MD, USPHS and Patti Bauer, an obstetrics nurse 

from Munson Medical Center. Andy attended the 

retirement ceremony for CGNR 2110 in 2013. 

The late CAPT Martin J Nemiroff, MD, USPHS 

(Ret.), joined the U.S. Public Health Service in 

1980 and was detailed to the U.S. Coast Guard. 

He was a flight surgeon and aircraft crash 

investigator mainly in Alaska, Northern Michigan, 

and the San Francisco Bay Area for the next 

20 years. His search and rescue cases led to 

numerous decorations and awards. Dr. Nemiroff 

has been internationally recognized as an expert 

in cold water drowning and resuscitation. Upon 

retirement, he was renowned for his research in 

cold water near-drowning survival, hypothermia, 

and was very active in medical forensic testimony. 

He was the only living Coast Guard officer to have 

a clinic named in his honor in Coos Bay, Oregon. 

When you think of some of the most difficult, challenging tragedies or public health challenges that 

we've experienced over the last several decades, these are the folks who've been there from the start. 

—President Barrack Obama, Sept. 2015 

To schedule a viewing of the Invisible Corps https://invisiblecorps.com at a CG Unit or venue in your 

area contact Robert Hinds, CG Retiree Services at: Robert.C.Hinds@uscg.mil 

U.S. COAST GUARD RETIREE INFORMATION PPC-RAS 



87

CG RUGBY 


CG Rugby | CG MWR (coastguardmwr.org) 

Dept. of Defense Photo by Mr. Steven Dinote 

COAST 

GUARD 

RUGBY 

Since 1983, the Coast Guard has fi elded a 

men’s rugby team composed of active-duty 

offi cers and enlisted members. In 2012, the 

Armed Forces Sports format changed to 

Rugby 7s, and in 2019, the program formally 

introduced the women's team. These players 

represent the Coast Guard in local, regional, 

national, and international rugby competitions. 

On Memorial Day weekend, LT Alex Feltman, LT 

Sam Birch, and IS3 Ryan Leonard represented 

the Coast Guard on the Combined Sea Services 

team (CG, Navy, Marines: “Old Salts”) against 

the Army/Air Force team. This match has 

become an annual event for the Major League 

Rugby Seattle Seawolves. Alex, Sam, and Ryan 

led the Combined Sea Services to victory! 

In June 2024, LT Hollis Connick was selected as 

one of 12 women to compete on the All-Armed 

Forces team in the Netherlands for the International 

Military Sports Council games. The U.S. Women’s 

team took second, losing to a tough French side 

in the finals. LT Vincent Nitopi represented as a 

member of the management team from his years 

of expertise managing the Coast Guard men’s 

team. 

In July, the Women’s team competed in the Armed 

Forces Rugby Championships, hosted in San 

Diego, CA, for the fi rst time. They represented 

the Coast Guard well in hard fought matches all 

weekend. LT Hollis Connick was selected as one 

of the seven members of the Armed Forces All- 

Tournament Team! 

In August, the Men’s team competed in the Armed 

Forces Ruby Championships/Rugbytown 7s in 

Glendale, CO. The team earned third place and 

captured the Sea Service Cup by defeating the 

Navy and the Marine Corps. LTJG Eugene Bizer 

was selected as one of the seven members of the 

Armed Forces All-Tournament Team! 

By CAPT Dan MacLeod, USCG (Ret.) 

drmacleod81@gmail.com 

In 2018, a group of Old Coast Guard Ruggers 

established the Coast Guard Rugby Foundation 

(CGRF), a non-profit organization. In partnership 

with the Coast Guard Foundation and Coast 

Guard Community Service Command, the CGRF 

provides support to the Coast Guard Rugby teams 

financially to support additional competitions and 

mentorship networks. 

To provide support to our hardworking 

Coast Guard ruggers, as they continue 

to build the CG Rugby family and strive 

for gold at the Armed Forces Rugby 

Championships, visit the Coast Guard 

Rugby Foundation website for additional 

information and how to donate: 

www.cgrugbyfoundation.org 



U.S. COAST GUARD RETIREE INFORMATION CG RUGBY 

89

PPC-RAS 


VA COMPENSATION AUDIT ERROR 

WORKSHEET (AEW) 

Of a total of 57,000 USCG, NOAA, USPS Retirees, over 30,000 have received a VA disability rating. 

On average the Retired and Annuitant Services (RAS) Branch receives 2,200 files from the VA each 

month to be reviewed and/or processed. To keep the work flowing, files are processed in the order 

they are received. When there are changes made to the account on the VA side and a new file is 

received by PPC, we are forced to begin again, since the previous work is now obsolete and would 

result in an incorrect payment. 

SOME GREAT NEWS: The Coast 

Guard has programmers working 

on the automation of the processes 

in Direct Access; potentially 

automating up to 60% of the work 

being done in the AEW process and 

speeding up the overall turnaround 

time is now obsolete and would 

result in an incorrect payment. 

WHAT IS AN AUDIT ERROR WORKSHEET (AEW)? 

It is the term used for a password-protected Excel file specific for each retired member and is used 

to calculate monthly pay entitlements over the member’s entire retirement. 

1. When the VA approves a Retiree’s disability claim and makes changes to their rating or 

dependent status, they transmit the data to PPC/RAS. 

2. VA Compensation Pay Tech updates pay changes in Direct Access to take effect as soon as 

possible so the updates can accurately impact your pay as quickly as possible. 

3. Military Pay Technician will review the AEW to verify and update information as needed. 

4. An auditor will approve the transaction and close the AEW 

A View of the 

Life cycle of 

an AEW 

5. Transmission of the AEW data back to the VA occurs twice every month. When the VA receives 

the data from PPC/RAS, it is uploaded into their system. 

If a retiree has a question about the status of their AEW during this time, we always encourage 

them to directly e-mail PPC/RAS at ppc-dg-customercare@uscg.mil to get the status of a case. 

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT 

DIRECT ACCESS 

1. 1099Rs will be mailed to ALL Retirees and Annuitants to the address on record in Direct Access 

in January 2025. These mailings will go to the mailing address you have on file in Direct Access. 

Please double check to see that it is current. The online version will be available via Direct Access 

Self-Services at about the same time. 

2. PPC/RAS will trust Direct Access and what is on record for our customers—this means that, if you 

have experienced a change in a life event (e.g., divorce, marriage/remarriage, etc.) and you did 

not communicate it to PPC, it is possible that your final pay and/or annuity may not be provided 

to the people you wish. So check your beneficiaries in DA Self-Service today. 

3. Retiree/Annuitant Pay Slips (CG 5209-RET): PPC/RAS mails pay slips any time there has been a 

change made to a customer’s pay. As a rule, if there have been no changes made to your account, 

you won’t receive a pay slip in the mail. You can, however, always obtain pay slips through Direct 

Access Self-Service whenever you want. 

4. If you moved to a different state, in addition to changing your address, remember to also change 

your state taxes. 

HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED A CHANGE IN YOUR 

LIFE? DON’T FORGET TO UPDATE DA! 

Has something changed in your life since retiring? Marriage? Divorce? Death of a loved one? Have 

you moved? These are all events that have dramatic effects on your life ... and on your account in DA. 

Failure to update your DA account can impact your paycheck, compensate the wrong beneficiary 

or impact your taxes. 

• Beneficiaries – PPC pays beneficiaries according to the information in DA. If you have a change 

in beneficiaries, be sure to update that information as soon as it changes. 

• Retiree/Annuitant Pay Slips (CG 5209-RET) - PPC/RAS mails pay slips any time there has 

been a change made to a customer’s pay. As a rule, if there have been no changes made to 

your account, you won’t receive a pay slip in the mail. You can, however, always obtain pay 

slips through Direct Access Self-Service whenever you want. 

• Change in residence - If you moved to a different state, in addition to changing your address 

in Direct Access, remember to also change your state taxes. 1099Rs will be mailed to ALL 

Retirees and Annuitants to the address on record in Direct Access in January 2025. These 

mailings will go to the mailing address you have on file in Direct Access. Please double check 

to see that it is current. 

Remember, if a life changing event isn’t reflected in DA, it didn’t happen! 

U.S. COAST GUARD RETIREE INFORMATION PPC-RAS 



91

WORK-LIFE 


TRANSITION 

ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 

Coast Guard Active-Duty and Reserve members and their spouses transitioning back to civilian 

life and Retirees and/or caregivers are highly encouraged to check-out and take full advantage 

of the TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM at: https://tapevents.mil/ 

Every year, approximately 200,000 men and women leave U.S. military service and return to life as 

civilians, a process known as the military to civilian transition. The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) 

provides information, tools, and training to ensure Service members, their spouses and/or caregivers 

are prepared for the next step in civilian life. 

The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) is the result of an interagency partnership between the 

Departments of Defense (DoD), Labor (DOL), Veterans Affairs (VA), Education (ED), Homeland 

Security (DHS), Small Business Administration (SBA), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), 

in conjunction with the Military Departments who execute TAP. 

The TAP curriculum is an outcome-based curriculum that transforms the way the military prepares 

Service members for transition back to civilian life. The curriculum is designed to provide service 

members with the resources, tools, services, and skill-building training needed to meet Career 

Readiness Standards (CRS). Shortly before departing the military, Service members demonstrate 

achievement of these standards to their command through a verification process called Capstone. This 

process includes an opportunity to connect Service members who may need additional assistance 

to agency partners who provide them with additional support. 

Military to civilian transition occurs within a complex and dynamic network of relationships, programs, 

services, and benefits, which includes transition planning and assistance efforts by individual Service 

branches, the interagency TAP partnership, and community resources delivered through local 

government, private industry, and nonprofit organizations. 

USCG RETIREE MENTORING & TRANSITION 

ASSISTANCE NETWORK! 

RADM Jeff Hathaway, USCG (Ret.) 

CG National Retiree Council Co-Chair 

hathaway.cgnrc@aol.com 

Your USCG National Retiree Council is sponsoring this program to maintain a searchable database 

for our retiree community (and those soon to retire) to both request and offer personal mentoring and 

advice in a variety of areas. Thinking about relocating to a particular geographic area but would like 

insights from those that are living there? Find some help here. Wondering how to start a small business? 

You can find a mentor here. 

We are using a software service called Member Planet to host our registration process and database. It 

is both secure, easy to use and offers great flexibility. Once submitted, your registration is automatically 

forwarded to Mr. Bob Hinds, USCG Retiree Services Program Manager. He validates your eligibility then 

grants access to the database. 

We hope that the USCG retiree community finds this program useful. Prior pilot programs showed a 

demand for such a program but lacked an easily accessible database maintained in the public domain. 

VISIT http://www.uscgretireenetwork.org/ TO LEARN MORE AND ENROLL! 

A big thank you to our 

Capital Area Retiree 

Council for originally 

promoting a retiree 

mentoring program and 

sponsoring the first 

"proof of concept" pilot 

program! 

U.S. COAST GUARD RETIREE INFORMATION RETIREE NETWORKING 



93

OTHER IMPORTANT RESOURCES 


USCG PAY & PERSONNEL CENTER 

RETIREE AND ANNUITANT SERVICES (PPC-RAS) 

4 WAYS TO TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR RETIRED 

PAY ACCOUNT 

With our improved tools, you can manage your account easily and when it is most 

convenient for you. 

WEBSITE 

SELF-SERVE 

EMAIL 

PHONE 

POSTAL 

MAIL 

Site address: www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/ras/ 

On the website you can: 

• Get important updates 

• Get information on accessing Direct Access (“DA”) Self-Service; 

• View and download forms and packets 

• Get answers to frequently-asked questions (FAQs) 

Site address: https://hcm.direct-access.uscg.mil/ 

Helpful Guides are located at www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/ras/gp/ 

You can do the following in DA Self-Service (with nearly immediate results): 

• View Payslip 

• View/Print Year End Forms 

• View/Change Phone Numbers 

• View/Print 1099R 

• View/Change Mailing & Email 

Address 

• Change EFT/Direct Deposit 

1099Rs are mailed to your address in DA. Helpful information is also 

sent via email. 

Email us at: ppc-dg-customercare@uscg.mil 

• Email us questions or requests. We track/respond to all. 

• Submit forms (e. g. W-4 for Taxes). We track/respond to all. 

• Avoid waiting for mailed documents to be delivered to us. 

• Avoid having to call. 

Call us at: 866-772-8724 

• Change Delivery Options 

• Change Voluntary Deductions 

• View Final Pay Beneficiary 

• Change Federal & State Tax 

• Print Retired Pay Award Letter 

• View Open Debts 

If you do not have access to a computer or email, you can submit your 

request through US Postal Mail. Our mailing address is: 

Commanding Officer 

US Coast Guard PPC (RAS) 

444 SE Quincy St 

Topeka KS 66683-3591 

PPC-RAS can process most requests within one or two pay periods. 

Remember! Incomplete forms or missing documents may result in a delay in processing your request. 

COAST GUARD 

LEGAL ASSISTANCE 

Coast Guard legal assistance attorneys provide advice and counsel regarding personal legal issues to 

thousands of service members, dependents and retirees each year at no cost. These issues may involve 

family law, estate planning, consumer law, land-lord-tenant relations, immigration or many other topics. 

Legal Assistance Program, CI 5801.4F: https://media.defense.gov/2017/Mar/15/2001716717/-1/- 

1/0/CI_5801.4F.PDF 

Legal Readiness Checklist: www.uscg.mil/Portals/0/Headquarters/Legal/la/Legal%20 

Readiness%20Checklist.pdf 

Personal Readiness Plan (Personal Identity & Vital Documents; Emergency Information & Powers 

of Attorney; Healthcare & Medical Directives; Income, Savings and Investments, and Life Insurance; 

Monthly Expenses, Debt, and Credit Reports; Primary Residence, Insurance & Household Services; 

Vehicle Information, Insurance, Titles & Documentation; Taxes; Survivor Assistance & Benefits; 

Estate Planning & Funeral Instructions): www.uscg.mil/Resources/Legal/LMA/Legal_Assistance/ 

Personal-Readiness-Plan/ 

Legal Assistance Attorneys: www.uscg.mil/Resources/Legal/LMA/Legal_Assistance/Find-A- 

Legal-Assistance-Lawyer/ 

1st District Legal: 617-223-8500 

7th District Legal: 305-415-6949 








13 th PACIFIC AREA ATLANTIC AREA 



11 th 

17 th 

14 th 

9 th 1 st 

5 th 

7 th 

8 th 

U.S. COAST GUARD RETIREE INFORMATION OTHER IMPORTANT RESOURCES 

95



CG NATIONAL RETIREE COUNCIL / 

REGIONAL RETIREE COUNCILS & CO-CHAIRS 

CGNRC CO-CHAIRS 

CAPITAL AREA 

CENTRAL GULF COAST 

(MOBILE) 

CHARLESTON 

GREAT LAKES 

EAST CENTRAL FL 

FIRST CG RETIREES 

JACKSONVILLE 

HAWAII 

KODIAK 

MIAMI 

NEW ORLEANS 

NORTH EAST 

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA 

NORTHWEST 

RADM Meredith Austin 

maustincgnrc@gmail.com 

MCPOCG Jason Vanderhaden 

jvanderhaden@gmail.com 

David Bernstein 

dberns01@gmail.com 

John Milkiewicz 

locke45@hotmail.com 

Terry Gilbreath 

tgilbreath@asdd.com 

Charlie Womack 

chwomack@gmail.com 

Ray Bryant 

basecharlestonrrc@gmail.com 

Timothy Schneider 

basecharlestonrrc@gmail.com 

Lorne Thomas 

lorne.w.thomas@uscg.mil 

James Bach 

uw_jimmy@yahoo.com 

Jim Reynolds 

james.reynolds.cg@gmail.com 

Mike Rosecrans 

m.rosecrans@gmail.com 

YNCM Bobby Wester 

bwester2549@aol.com 

Rod Schultz 

rschultz369@gmail.com 

Anthony Lim 

hawaiiretiree.cc@gmail.com 

Robert Lachowsky 

roblachowsky@yahoo.com 

John Whiddon 

jbwhiddon52@gmail.com 

David Cinalli 

david.cinalli@yahoo.com 

Marc Fagenbaum 

cgrcmiamibeach@gmail.com 

Currently Inactive 

Kevin Brown 

CGRetireeNorthEast@gmail.com 

Thomas Hall 

tadahall@msn.com 

David Swanson 

ddswanson@msn.com 

RADM Bert Kinghorn 

CoChairs@cgretirenw.org 

Sean McPhilamy 

seanmcphilamy@mac.com 

PENSACOLA, FL & 

BALDWIN COUNTY, AL 

SAN JUAN, PR 

SECTOR OHIO VALLEY 

SOUTHWEST 

ST. LOUIS 

TAMPA BAY AREA 

YORKTOWN 

Jeff Rosenberg 

cg.rrc.pns@gmail.com 

Jose Baltar 

uscg.sj.rc@gmail.com 

Carlos López 

uscg.sj.rc@gmail.com 

James Armstrong 

james_armstrong@bellsouth.net 

Joseph Leonard 

jleonard83@aol.com 

Eric Pugh 

eric.pugh12@outlook.com 

Keith Livingstone 

bassbolt@yahoo.com 

Becky Livingstone 

rebalivingstone@att.net 

Don Goldstein 

DGoldstein1@tampabay.rr.com 

LeRoy Dennison 

LeRoy@dennison.com 

Rick Gay 

rgay@earthlink.net 

David Bunch 

dcbunch52@verizon.net 

Recouncil@TCYYorktown.ucg.mil 

You may elect not to be mailed The 

Long Blue Line 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 by sending 

an e-mail to: 

PPC-DG-CustomerCare@uscg.mil 

CG PAY & PERSONNEL CENTER, RETIREE & 

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 

Changes to Your DA Account: 

• Your retired or annuity payments 

• Your retired/annuitant pay slip 

• IRS Form 1099-R (reporting taxable income) 

• You need to change your home 

mailing address (for delivery of retired/ 

annuitant statement, newsletter, 1099-R, 

correspondence) 

• Your financial institution or account number 

for your direct deposit 

• Report a change to your designation of 

benefi ciary for payment of unpaid retired 

pay (Note: use Form *CG PPC-3600 

Designation of Benefi ciary for Payment of 

Unpaid Retired Pay) 

For most transactions, you may always use 

Direct Access Self-Service: 

www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/ras 

If you cannot use Direct Access Self-Service, 

you may make the requests listed above by 

e-mail, by phone, by fax, or mailing: 

ppc-dg-customercare@uscg.mil 

Telephone: (866) 772-8724 

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, send us an e-mail 

request). 

• Report a change to your survivor benefi t 

plan (SBP) coverage (must be in writing) 

• You may e-mail your request to ppc-dgcustomercare@uscg.mil 

or mail to: 

Commanding Offi cer (RAS) 

USCG Pay & Personnel Center 


Topeka, KS 66683-3591 

or fax to (785) 339-3770 

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

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

Income Tax Withholding Changes 

If you need to: 

• Start or change the amount of state tax 

withholding (customers can e-mail/fax/ 

postal mail the *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 is 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 

(Customers use Form W-4) 

• Change exemptions or additional withholding 

Federal tax changes must be made by the 

Customer (DA Self-Service) or in writing. Form 

IRS W-4 must be provided to PPC (RAS) for 

action and filing, Please e-mail to: 

ppc-dg-customercare@uscg.mil 

or mail to: 

Commanding Offi cer (RAS) 



Topeka, KS 66683-3591 

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

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

Report of Death: 

To report the death of a Coast Guard, NOAA 

or PHS retiree/annuitant call: 

Toll free: 1-866-772-8724 

Or e-mail: ppc-dg-customercare@uscg.mil 

Or www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/ras (web site) 

Dependent TAPS: 

To place a Dependent TAPS notice in The Retiree 

Newsletter, please 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 




97



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 Employee 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 Care Insurance Program 

(FLTCIP) 

NEW! 

1-800-LTC-FEDS (1-800-582-3337) 

www.LTCFEDS.com 

CG Health Benefits Advisor 

1-800-942-2422 

Veterans Benefits 

Phone/Websites/Notes 

VA Resource Navigator 

https://www.va.gov/files/2024-01/VA%20 

Resource%20Navigator.pdf 

Department of Veterans Affairs 

1-800-827-1000 

www.va.gov 

Reporting the Death of a Veteran/Retiree to 

the VA, 800-827-1000, Press #5, https://www. 

va.gov/resources/how-to-report-the-death-ofa-veteran-to-va/ 

VA Office of Survivors Assistance 

https://www.va.gov/survivors/ 

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 (continued on next page) 

(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 

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 

Former Spouse 

CG PPC LEGAL 

785-339-3441 

785-339-3788 (Fax) 

PPC-DG-LGL@uscg.mil 

FSPA & SBP Informational Pamphlet 

https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Portals/10/CG-1/ 

PPC/Docs/Legal/Uniformed%20Services%20 

Former%20Spouse%20Protection%20Act%20 

(FSPA).pdf 

Former Spouse ID Card and Medical 

Information 

https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Portals/10/CG-1/ 

PPC/RAS/FormerSpouseDetermination4IDcards. 

pdf?ver=a_wj5dB_ 

FMVcHvKGRPEkBw%3D%3D#:~:text=The%20 

20%2D20%2D15%20rule,if%20they%20do%20 

not%20remarry 

Additional Important Number and Websites 

Final Active Duty Pay 

1-866-772-8724 

Overseas 

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 

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-servicerecords 

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 

www.maritime.dot.gov/outreach/mariner-medals 

Contact - Awards, Flags, Medals 

Katrina McRae 

Maritime Awards Officer 

Office of Sealift Support 

1200 NEW JERSEY AVE., SE 

WASHINGTON, DC 20590 

United States 

Email: Katrina.mcrae@dot.gov 

Phone: 202-366-3198 

Fax: 202-366-2323 

Business Hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm ET, M-F 

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a 

speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access 

telecommunications relay services. 

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/ 

CG National Retiree Help Desk 

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/ 




99

A 

GREAT 

GIFT FOR 

NEW 

RETIREES

The Long Blue Line (Fall 2024)

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