USCG Vets Crossing the bar

[BuoyJumper]

March 08, 2007 Raymond F. O'Malley the last surviving member of the
WWII sinking of the USS Escanaba passes over the bar at 86



CLEVELAND - Raymond F. O'Malley, 86, Coast Guard World War II veteran, honorary Chief Petty Officer and the last surviving member of the sinking of the USS Escanaba, died today at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

”The Coast Guard lost a real hero today with the passing of Mr. Ray O'Malley,” said Adm. Thad Allen, commandant of the Coast Guard. “As one of only two survivors following the enemy sinking of the USS Escanaba in 1943, Ray was truly a Coast Guard legend, and was a fixture during the annual tribute to Escanaba at its memorial in Grand Haven, Mich. Ray never forgot his shipmates, and for more than 60 years he recognized his fallen comrades both at the public memorial service and with a private prayer, when he would light a candle for the crews of both the former and current cutters named Escanaba. Six decades following the Escanaba tragedy, Ray O'Malley is finally reunited with his shipmates. Our prayers and sympathy go out to the O'Malley family.”

O'Malley and another crewman were the lone survivors of the Escanaba, which blew up in the North Atlantic June 13, 1943, and sank within three minutes. A total of 103 Escanaba crewmen were lost in the sinking.

[BuoyJumper]

May 6, 2007 MARVIN PERRETT BM2 World War II Coast Guard veteran passes over the bar at 81.



NEW ORLEANS:  Marvin Perrett, who as a teenager in the Coast Guard drove troops ashore during World War II amphibious invasions in New Orleans-built landing craft, died Sunday at his home in Metairie. He was 81. Born in New Orleans on Sept. 17, 1925, Mr. Perrett was the adopted son of a World War I Army veteran and his wife. He attended Warren Easton High School. At age 17, he wanted to enlist in the Navy, but his father, who was wounded in the first world war, barred him from doing so.

A year later, he went to a Navy recruiter's office in downtown New Orleans, but the recruiter steered him to the Coast Guard. By nightfall, he had enlisted.

Widely known for wearing a replica Coast Guard combat uniform to tell his war stories to students and service members, Mr. Perrett made his last speaking appearance May 2, when he piloted a relic boat in Lake Pontchartrain near the Coast Guard station in Bucktown, where the duty room is named in his honor.

"He is just an absolute icon within the eyes of Coast Guard members, and he will truly be missed," said Capt. Frank Paskewich, captain of the Port of New Orleans and commander of Sector New Orleans. "Right up to his last few days, he was busy speaking about his experiences during World War II. We are blessed to be a part of his last week."

"Losing him was like losing a historical artifact," said Petty Officer 1st Class NyxoLyno Cangemi, who was befriended by Mr. Perret him three years ago. "It's a great loss, and it's a loss felt throughout our country, and throughout humanity. Marvin may be gone, but the story he shared with so many people throughout the world will live on forever."

Mr. Perrett said in a Coast Guard interview that as a young man he witnessed practice beach landings in Higgins boats on Lake Pontchartrain. "I thought, 'Boy, that looks pretty dangerous, I don't want any part of that,' " he said. "Wouldn't that just be my dumb luck. That was the exact assignment I received."

He participated in the June 6, 1944, D-Day invasion, launching his Higgins boat from the USS Bayfield about 2:30 a.m., about 12 miles off the Normandy coast. In his first of two trips ashore that day, Mr. Perrett, an 18-year-old coxswain's mate second class, delivered 36 soldiers of the Army's 4th Division to Utah Beach, about 7 a.m. In his second trip, he safely delivered the 4th Division's commander, Maj. Gen. R.O. Barton, and the general's vehicle.

A month later, Mr. Perrett participated in the invasion of southern France, and then of Iwo Jima in February 1945. It was there that his Higgins boat sank, leaving him and his three crewmates briefly stranded on the beach. He later took part in the invasion of Okinawa.

"The students to this day would ask me, 'Well, Mr. Perrett, were you shot at?' I said, 'You're darn right we were shot at,' and what would happen, maybe like a city block from the beach I'd see out ahead of me the machine gun bullets hitting the water and cascading 10 feet high, and this is in front of me," Mr. Perrett said June 18, 2003, for a Coast Guard oral history program.

In June 2004, on the 60th anniversary of the D-Day invasion, Mr. Perrett was one of 100 World War II veterans from the United States invited by the French government to attend ceremonies in France. The French government awarded him its Knights of the Legion of Honor medal.

The Coast Guard also presented Mr. Perrett with its Distinguished Public Service Award, its highest civilian honor. He was made an honorary chief petty officer by the Chief Petty Officers Association chapter in New Orleans.

He donated his body for research at Tulane Medical School, a decision he often revealed to people with his usual humor, Cook said: "Oh, did you hear I'm going to Tulane?" In addition to his daughter, he is survived by his son-in-law and two grandchildren.

[BuoyJumper]

July 17, 2007 Former Coast Guard Commandant Owen W. Siler passes over the bar at 85



WASHINGTON - Adm. Owen W. Siler, 85, former Coast Guard commandant passed over the bar at St. Joseph’s hospital, peacefully from heart failure.

Admiral Siler served as commandant of the Coast Guard from 1974 to 1978. During his tenure, he instituted a minority recruiting program, was instrumental in having women admitted to Coast Guard Academy making it the first of the military service academy to announce acceptance of woman cadets, arranged for the first female officers to attend flight training, and oversaw the expansion of the Coast Guard’s Marine Environmental Protection program that included an increase of the service’s area of jurisdiction along the nation’s coastline to over two million square miles with the passage of the Fisheries Conservation and management Act of 1976. During his Coast Guard career, he served in combat duty in the Pacific during World War II, afloat in deck positions, as an aviator performing aerial patrols and search and rescue missions, and ashore in the law enforcement, marine safety and environmental protection fields. Other assignments included Chief, Search and Rescue Branch in Juneau, AK, Deputy Chief in Washington, and Commanding Officer at Air Station Miami, where under his command the station received a Coast Guard Unit Commendation for the Cuban Exodus operation during October and November of 1965. Adm. Siler altered the traditional view of the Coast Guard as simply the "humanitarian Service" of the federal government, to one that recognized the service as a leader in marine environmental protection, a law enforcement agency with which to be reckoned, a conservation-conscious protector of our marine resources and as a major force in service to the nation.

After retiring from the Coast Guard with 35 years of service, he moved with his wife to The Landings on Skidaway Island in Savannah. He was an active member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, the Rotary Club of Savannah South, the Propeller Club, the Navy League and the World Affairs Council.

Born in Seattle, WA, Adm. Siler graduated from Santa Maria High School in 1938 and from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1943. He received a Master of Science degree in International Affairs from George Washington University in 1968.

Surviving are his wife, Betty W. Siler of Savannah; a son and Daughter-in-law, Gregory John and Terri Siler of Columbia, Md; a daughter and son-in-law, Marsha Siler Antista and James V. Antista of Tallahassee, Fl; grandchildren David Wesley Siler and wife Karen Siler, Wesley Howard Siler and wife Nessie Siler, Christopher Justin Antista and Lauren Elizabeth Antista; and great-grandchildren, Alexandria Siler and Nicholas Owen Siler.

[debk]

 

[BuoyJumper]

Captain Margaret R. "Peggy" Riley-Crawford 

January 30, 2008 



East Hampstead, NH: Captain Margaret R. “Peggy” Riley-Crawford, U.S. Coast Guard, (Ret.), age 56, of East Hampstead, died Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at Parkland Medical Center in Derry, NH, following a long illness.

Born in Rochester, NY, daughter of Stephen G. Riley and the late Mary Ann (Ruh) Riley, she graduated from Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach, VA and received her undergraduate degree from Old Dominion University in 1973. She received a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from George Washington University and an additional Master’s Degree in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

A thirty year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, Captain Riley began her career as a member of the first post W.W.II women’s graduating class at the U.S. Coast Guard Officer’s Candidate School, Yorktown VA. During her career she served as the Executive Officer of the Integrated Support Command, Boston, MA and was later assigned to the Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC. She also served as the Commanding Officer of the Engineering and Logistics Command, Baltimore, MD; and the Commanding Officer of the Integrated Support Command, Boston and retired in 2003 as Director of the Leadership Development Center at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT.

Captain Riley’s numerous awards and citations included The Legion of Merit and Meritorious Service Medal with Two Gold Stars.

A resident of East Hampstead from 1987 to 1991 and later returning to town in 1996, Mrs. Crawford was a member of St. Anne’s Parish of Hampstead where she served several terms on the Parish Finance Committee and as chairwomen for two years.  She also was a licensed and certified teacher of heirloom sewing and quilting.

She is survived by her husband of twenty-eight years, Commander David B. Crawford, U.S. Coast Guard(Ret), a son Brendon D. Crawford of East Hampstead, her father, Lt. Commander Stephen G. Riley, USN (Ret) of Virginia Beach, VA, two sisters, Eileen Patricia MacDougall of Washington, NC, and Kathleen R. Pitchford, of Norfolk, VA, three brothers, Stephen G. Riley, III, of Mechanicsville, MD, Kevin Michael Riley of Jacksonville, FL, and Christopher S. Riley of Greenville, SC, ten nieces and nephews, one great-nephew and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, February 5, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. in Saint Anne’s Church, Emerson Avenue, Hampstead, NH. Calling hours will be held on Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Saint Anne’s Church. Burial with Full Military Honors will take place in Arlington National Cemetery. The family requests that flowers be omitted and donations be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney St., Boston, MA 02115 for the benefit of inflammatory breast cancer.

[vftb]

   R.I.P. Captain

[rustybayonet]

Fair winds and following seas   

[Salba]

 

Fair winds and Following Seas. God Bless Ya Captain.

[BuoyJumper]

It's really sad when we lose someone so young.

Condolences to Commander Crawford (Ret) and the family.

R.I.P. Captain and thank you for your service.    

[LTGunner]

I was at ISC Boston (a.k.a. CG Base Boston, 427 Commercial St, ) between 1996-2000.  Captain “Ma” Riley was the base CO.  She had a reputation for running a tight ship.  Nothing occurred on that base without her knowing it. 

I was the Weapons Supervisor (WAT Gunner) during her tour at ISC Boston.  One of the cutters, CGC SENECA was getting ready to go to emergency dry dock and needed to offload her ammo.  We made arrangement to transfer SENECA’s ammo to CGC SPENCER.   It was planned as a cross pier transfer and we received concurrence from Atlantic Area (large cutters are assigned to Areas not local Districts).  We had an ammo load plan approved by both cutters’ COs and base operations.  We began the transfer from SENECA to SPENCER.  All was going well until “Ma” Riley saw us.  “Ma” Riley took DAILY walks around HER base and observed us transferring ammo.   She walked over to me and said, in a stern voice “who gave you permission to transfer ammo on MY base?”  I replied, Lant Area, the cutter Cos and Base Operations Captain, we provided a copy of the ammo transfer plan to the Base OOD earlier today”.  Ma replied,”well nobody informed me so put all that ammo back where it came from NOW”.  I replied, “aye-aye Captain”. I looked over to the cutter’s Gunner’s Mates and said, “you guys heard the CO, put all that ammo back on SPENCER”.   The crew looked at me and said “SPENCER?”  I yelled, “That’s right, I said get that ammo on SPENCER NOW”.  Ma Riley looked at me and said “good job Gunner; you know how to get a job done”.  “Yes, madam, I do.” 

God Bless Captain, and rest in peace.   

[EX-CG-GM]

...I looked over to the cutter’s Gunner’s Mates and said, “you guys heard the CO, put all that ammo back on SPENCER”.   The crew looked at me and said “SPENCER?”  I yelled, “That’s right, I said get that ammo on SPENCER NOW”.

Us Ordnance types have always had a knack for being clever......

 

[debk]

RIP, Captain.....sounds like you made quite an impression on many lives.

[BuoyJumper]

RADM J. David Spade Crosses The Bar



Rear Admiral J. David Spade, USCG, Retired passed away on Tuesday Feb 26 after a long battle with cancer in Tampa, FL. He was 64.

Admiral Spade was a 1965 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy and retired in 1999. He served with distinction throughout his career and was known for his strong leadership and impact on many Coast Guard men and women.

Though he was a committed cutterman, serving aboard six cutters and commanding three, his interests were broad in scope. He was an economics instructor at the Coast Guard Academy and served on the faculty of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. In these assignments, he taught many of the officers in senior leadership positions in the Coast Guard and government today.

As a Rear Admiral, he was appointed Deputy Commander of Joint Interagency TAsk Force East and later Commanded the Thirteenth Coast Guard District.

Those he led described him as a leader who always saw the best in people, and challended them to strive to reach their full potential.

Admiral Spade served his community beyond the Coast Guard, and was twice honored as a “Navy Leaguer of the Year” for his selfless efforts. Throughout his life, he put service first, both to the nation and his community. He leaves a tremendous legacy.

Admiral Spade is survived by his wife Linda, son Mike and daughter Kristy. No funeral service is planned. A memorial service will be held at the coast Guard Academy chapel on a date to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, lthe Spade family requests that donations be made in Admiral Spades name to:

Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
383 Main Avenue, 5gt Floor
Norwalk, CT 06851
Phone: 203-229-0464
Email: info@themmrf.org

[BuoyJumper]

Damn, just a couple of years older than me.  What a shame to lose a man of his caliber to that damned cancer.

Sorry to see you cross over the bar Admiral and thank you for your service.  Prayers and condolences to his wife Linda, son Mike and daughter Kristy.

[Salba]

My Best Wishes to his family.  The Admiral served his country well!

V/R