Coast Guard Heroes: Charles Walter David Jr.

Written by: LTJG Stephanie Young

With contributions from LTJG Ryan White

This Compass series chronicles the first 14 heroes the Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters have been named for. These men and women, who stood the watch before us, lived extraordinary lives as they lit the way for sailors in times past, braved gunfire in times of war and rescued those in peril at sea. As Coast Guard heroes, their stories are a constant reminder of our service’s legacy. As the namesake of the Coast Guard’s newest patrol boats, they will inspire the next generation of Coast Guard heroes.

Stewards-Mate First Class Charles Walter David Jr. served aboard CGC Comanche on North Atlantic convoy duty during World War II. His dauntless character was put into action on the night of February 3, 1943 as the U.S. Army transport USS Dorchester was torpedoed by a U-boat off the coast of Greenland.

The Comanche was on scene with the Dorchester and its crew desperately searched for survivors in the frigid North Atlantic waters. David fearlessly volunteered to leave the safe haven of Comanche to dive overboard, with air temperatures below freezing, to help rescue the Dorchester’s crew.

As other Comanche crewmembers volunteered to dive in, 93 survivors from the Dorchester were rescued and plucked out of cold riotous waters.

One of the men David saved was a fellow Comanche crewman, the cutter’s executive officer, Lieutenant Robert Anderson who had fallen overboard and after exhaustion set in he was unable to pull himself out of the water. David was able to tie a line around Anderson and the crew aboard Comanche hoisted him to safety.

After the last of the survivors were safely aboard Comanche, David began to climb the cargo net to the ship’s deck. One of David’s shipmates, Storekeeper Richard Swanson had volunteered to dive overboard to assist with the rescue but was having trouble climbing the net due to his freezing limbs. David encouraged his friend to continue but Swanson was fatigued and frozen. David descended the net and with the help of another crewmember, pulled Swanson to Comanche’s deck out of harm’s way.

Tragically, David died a few days later from pneumonia that he contracted during his heroic efforts to save the Dorchester’s survivors and members from his own crew. He was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his bravery, which was received by his wife and son, Kathleen and Neil David.

A special place in the Coast Guard’s history

Two hundred and thirty one thousand men and 10,000 women served in the Coast Guard during World War II. Of these, 1,918 gave their lives in service.

In the spring of 1941, Coast Guard cutters were assigned to the Navy and operated in anti-submarine warfare escorts, amphibious landings, search and rescue, beach patrol, port security and LORAN duty.

Coast Guard-manned ships sank at least 11 enemy submarines and its cutters and aircraft rescued more than 1,500 survivors of torpedo attacks in areas adjacent to the United States. Cutters on escort duty saved another 1,000.

David served his country at a time when the service was segregated and was aboard a cutter where he was barred from the officer ranks and limited in his enlisted specialty. Despite this, David exercised the Coast Guard’s core values of honor, respect and devotion to duty to the highest measure.

Swanson, recalling his friend in an interview, described David as a “tower of strength” on that tragic day, and his heart and commitment to his shipmates is something to be revered.

“Charles Walter David Jr. is a selfless American hero,” said Petty Officer Third Class Forest C. Reimann, a cutter surface swimmer on Coast Guard Cutter Waesche. “The sacrifice he made for his shipmates is a perfect example of why the Coast Guard Cutter Rescue Swimmer Program is indispensable. As one of the first three cutter swimmers onboard Coast Guard Cutter Waesche I am honored to fulfill this duty.”

Swift Boats in Vietnam

On November 4, 2010, Conversations with American Heroes at the Watering Hole features a conversation with Weymouth D. Symmes, USN, author of War on the Rivers A Swift Boat Sailor’s Chronicle of the Battle for the Mekong Delta.

Program Date: November 4, 2010
Program Time: 1600 hours, PACIFIC
Topic: Swift Boats in Vietnam
Listen Live:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lawenforcement/2010/11/04/swift-boats-in-vietnam
About the Guest
Weymouth D. Symmes, USN, “was raised in Lewistown and Billings, Montana. In 1966 he enlisted in the United States Navy. During his service he spent two years aboard the USS Ticonderoga and one year on Swift boats in Vietnam. Honorably discharged in 1970 he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation for Extraordinary Heroism, Two Navy Unit Commendations, The Republic of Vietnam meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross) and other awards.

He was the treasurer for the Montana State Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial; was one of the founders and first treasurer of the Swift Boat Sailors Association (the fraternal organization for Swift Boat sailors); was one of the founders and the national treasurer for Swift Boat Veterans & POWs for Truth; and was on the board and the treasurer of the Admiral Roy F. Hoffmann Foundation. Weymouth is the author of two books: War on the Rivers A Swift Boat Sailor’s Chronicle of the Battle for the Mekong Delta and This is Latch The Story of Rear Admiral Roy F. Hoffmann."

According to the book description of War on the Rivers: A Swift Boat Sailor's Chronicle of the Battle for the Mekong Delta, “This is a story about sailors, and one sailor in particular, asked to do extraordinary things and make great sacrifices during the Vietnam War.”

About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.

About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in law enforcement, public policy, law enforcement technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in law enforcement.

Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lawenforcement/2010/11/04/swift-boats-in-vietnam


Listen from the Archive:

http://www.americanheroesradio.com/swift_boats_vietnam.html

Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530

Above and Beyond: Honoring our nation’s veterans

It was always about the names.       

When I first got involved with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the most visited memorial in our nation’s capitol, our goal was to honor the 58,241 names of the men and women killed in Vietnam. We were determined that the names should not be forgotten, nor lost, in American history as the most lasting sacrifice of a tumultuous war that divided our nation.  At the dedication of the Memorial in 1982, the healing process truly began as the Wall brought honor and dignity to all who died and served our country.  Each soldier killed has their name equally displayed without rank or date of birth.  All were soldiers who went “above and beyond” and gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Aside from Washington, D.C., the soldiers names engraved on the Memorial are permanently honored in only one other location.  The “Above and Beyond” exhibit, unveiled in 2001 at the National Veterans Art Museum in Chicago, is comprised of dog tags, one for each service man and woman killed.  Suspended from a fine line, each dog tag sits exactly one inch apart, allowing them to move “like a living thing with shifts in the air current”.  

Hung from the ceiling in a two-story atrium, the design including all 58,241 names is haunting, breathtaking and memorable.  As people enter, the breeze waves the metal dog tags creating the faintest sound of chimes, evoking a sudden silence, spiritually and unspoken dignity within the space.

The Museum has been visited by thousands of people and provides one other place for family and friends to honor and remember. This award-winning design has become an instrument to educate people about sacrifice in war. As one observer noted, visiting students “snap to silence and their jaws drop” stunned by the power of the exhibit. The Museum has become a unique and important place for veterans of all wars to display poignant and healing art. However, the museum has lost its lease and needs to relocate. As a result, the soldiers' dog tags may be boxed up and placed in storage "until further notice”. Such action would be unfortunate for our veterans and our nation for it is still about the names.

As George Washington cautioned after our war for independence “The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war...shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive veterans of earlier wars are treated and appreciated by our nation.”

As the country engages in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, many more have made the ultimate sacrifice. While there will be efforts to permanently honor the names of the more than 5,000 soldiers killed in these conflicts, we must continue to respect service to country and take care of our troops returning home. As a nation, we must not sink into the amnesia for which it may long, as reflected upon by Philip Caputo in “A Rumor of War”. Indeed, our country does need public displays and memorials so that we never forget the names of those veterans who have gone “above and beyond” for our nation.

Ronald F. Gibbs, Vietnam veteran, helped spearhead passage of the legislation establishing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in D.C., and is a former board member of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.

For further information write email gibbsron@msn.com or visit www.NVAM.org

Ron Gibbs Background information

Ron is head of National & International Public Affairs Consulting (NIPAC) and provides strategic counsel to businesses and non-profits on public policy, legislative affairs, marketing/branding, fund raising and communications. He is a nationally recognized expert in public policy and an adjunct professor at the University of Chicago, Harris School of Public Policy. Mr. Gibbs served for twenty-five years on the board for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and helped spearhead the passage of the legislative establishing the Memorial. As Jan Scruggs stated in his book, To Heal A Nation, "Ron spent many hours walking the halls of Congress. He never asked for public recognition or acclaim. His only desire was to see the 58,000 names inscribed in a place of honor." He served as an Army Infantry Captain in Vietnam and Germany from 1968-1972. Mr. Gibbs received a Master's Degree from Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government. Contact information:

55 E. Erie St.

Unit 3501, Chicago, IL 60611, 312-543-1455, gibbsron@msn.com.

Coast Guard Heroes: Paul Leaman Clark

Written by: LTJG Stephanie Young

With contributions from LTJG Ryan White

This Compass series chronicles the first 14 heroes the Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters have been named for. These men and women, who stood the watch before us, lived extraordinary lives as they lit the way for sailors in times past, braved gunfire in times of war and rescued those in peril at sea. As Coast Guard heroes, their stories are a constant reminder of our service’s legacy. As the namesake of the Coast Guard’s newest patrol boats, they will inspire the next generation of Coast Guard heroes.

Fireman First Class Paul Leaman Clark displayed extraordinary devotion to duty in the face of enemy fire while serving as a landing boat engineer attached to the USS Joseph T. Dickman during the allied assault on French Morocco during World War II.

Clark served as beach master where he supervised the unloading of soldiers and supplies from the transports on the beach. This was an especially hazardous duty, as once disembarked from the landing crafts, soldiers were vulnerable to enemy fire.

Early into the assault, which lasted from November 8-11, 1942, Clark was unloading a transport when a hostile plane battered his boat with machinegun fire. The heavy fire mortally wounded the bowman and severely injured the coxswain. Showing unsurpassed courage and initiative Clark took control of the boat and withdrew from the beach with the injured crewmember aboard.

Clark sped towards the nearby USS Palmer and transferred the wounded man to safety. Although enemy bullets had already punctured his craft, he courageously returned to his station at the beach and completed the boat’s mission.

The torrential gunfire led 21 of the 32 boats to be lost at the landing during the duration of the assault. These harrowing wartime conditions did not hamper Clark, instead he rose to the occasion with fierce bravery in the highest traditions of military service. For his courage that day, Clark was awarded the Navy Cross.

A special place in the Coast Guard’s history

The USS Joseph T. Dickman underway in April 1942 with pattern camouflage. The USS Joseph T. Dickman was one of the ships that led the assault on French Morocco. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.  The invasion of North Africa in November 1942 was the first offensive for the United States against Germany during World War II. At the time, “Operation Torch” was the largest amphibious operation ever undertaken.

Operation Torch proved to be the turning point in the Allies’ war in Africa and after their loss of French Morocco, the Nazis remained on the defensive for the remainder of the war.

Honoring the heritage of Clark, the Coast Guard presents the “Fireman First Class Paul Clark Boat Force Engineer Award” annually to an enlisted boat engineer who demonstrates exemplary performance and superior technical, professional, leadership, and seamanship abilities while performing Coast Guard boat operations.

“Fireman Clark was a true hero, selflessly risking his own life in order to save wounded crewmembers while simultaneously completing an important mission,” said Petty Officer Second Class Matthew Merical, a machinery technician and recipient of the 2009 Paul Clark Boat Force Engineer Award. “Clarks actions were incredibly inspiring to me as an enlisted member and hopefully his story will continue to inspire others in the service. Having a new Fast Response Cutter named after him will be a fitting tribute to one of our best.”

Governor, First Lady to honor state service members with 'Tribute to Our Troops' holiday tree

Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs

Gov. Jim and Jessica Doyle will again honor Wisconsin's deployed service members with a "Tribute to Our Troops" holiday tree, and are inviting Wisconsin military families to send in a holiday ornament dedicated to their service members here and abroad.  The Executive Residence will display the ornaments on one of the large evergreen trees on display during December's holiday tours.

"Our whole state is very proud of the men and women who serve our country throughout the year," Gov. Doyle said. "This holiday season we want to acknowledge the sacrifices that these brave men and women make each and every day."

"This tree also represents the sacrifice so many families must make so we can live safely and in peace," Jessica Doyle said.

Hundreds of Wisconsin service members continue to serve around the world and will be away from home this holiday season. This "Tribute to Our Troops" Holiday Tree honors all those who serve, whether currently deployed or not.

Families of all Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guard members are welcome and encouraged to participate by sending ornaments - plain, fancy, and/or personalized - no later than Nov. 27 to:

Service Member Support Branch Special Projects

ATTN: Carolyn Morgan

2400 Wright Street

Madison, Wis. 53704

Individuals submitting ornaments are asked to include their name and return mailing address, along with the name of the service member being honored. Ornaments will be returned after the holidays.

Today in the Department of Defense, Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates has no public or media events on his schedule.

 Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn delivers remarks at 1:30 p.m. EDT at the USSTRATCOM Space Symposium at the Qwest Center, Omaha NE.  Media interested in attending should contact LT Charlie Drey at 402-294-4130.

 Director of the Department of Defense Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Task Force Lt. Gen. John Koziol addresses the Geospatial Intelligence Foundation Conference at 8:15 a.m. EDT at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA.

 Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead delivers remarks at 10 a.m. EDT at the Vice Adm. Stockdale Award Ceremony at the Pentagon Hall of Heroes.  Media interested in attending should contact CDR Charlie Brown at 703-692-5307.

 Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey, Jr. speaks at the “Stand Up For Heroes Show” at 8 p.m. EDT in New York City.  Media interested in attending should contact Lt. Col. Rich Spiegel at 703-693-4961.

Veterans’ Reflections: The Crew of the USS Oklahoma City

By Ian Graham

Emerging Media, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2, 2010 – On Sept. 2, 1945, Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu boarded the USS Missouri to sign the Japanese instrument of surrender, effectively ending fighting on the Pacific front in World War II.

Off the coast of Japan, the USS Oklahoma City was hunting for mines, clearing a path for the eventual occupation of Japan. Shortly thereafter, crewmembers of the Oklahoma City were among the first U.S. servicemembers to visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki after the cities had been destroyed by atomic bombs.

“The people were still bandaged up. Everything was just demolished,” Ray Palumbo said. “It was very emotional.”

Palumbo, Frank Zaccharo, Ralph Alfaro, Bill Crouch and Fred Kapanos all joined the Navy in 1944, serving together as the first crew of the Oklahoma City. Now all 84 years old, the five men looked back on their role in history with fondness and respect for their former enemies. The damage inflicted by the atom bomb is one seared into their memories.

“I wouldn’t say it was good, but it was a unique opportunity [to see Hiroshima],” Zaccharo said. “It’s something that’s still vivid in my memory.”

“It left a big, big impression on me,” Alfaro added.

By 1944, the war in the Pacific was in full swing. American forces were fighting in the Philippine and Palau islands and working to build airfields on Saipan, within B-29 range of Tokyo. For years, Americans had been hearing about the wars in Europe and the Pacific, and many young men were chomping at the bit to get into the fight.

For some, being drafted into the Army at 18 was all the opportunity they needed. Alfaro said he had a different idea in mind as his 18th birthday approached.

“At that time, when you were 18, you got drafted right into the Army,” he said. “When I was 17, I decided I didn’t want to walk. I said to myself, ‘I gotta get into something where I don’t have to walk, [where] I can ride on something.’ So I joined the Navy. I couldn’t wait to get in. Patriotism was running through my blood.”

Over the previous three years, the images in newspapers and stories told in radio broadcasts hadn’t prepared the young sailors for what they’d see as they prepared to set sail across the Pacific Ocean.

“It wasn’t until we left Pearl Harbor in 1944 to head out to the Pacific when coming into Pearl Harbor was an aircraft carrier called the USS Franklin that had just been bombed by kamikaze planes,” Zaccharo said. “That was when I realized the reality of being in this war, and believe me, I was scared.”

The men said fear wasn’t a negative feeling. Rather, they explained, it helped them to understand the gravity of the situation. Kapanos said what servicemembers endure today is every bit as daunting as what he saw in the 1940s, if not more so.

“We salute the young people serving today. They’re doing their share of what needs to be done,” he said. “We can only give them a lot of credit and keep them in our prayers.”

The Oklahoma City supported the campaign in Okinawa and screened 3rd Fleet aircraft carriers during intensified air operations as Allied forces grew nearer to Japan.

The Oklahoma City crew was very fortunate to be part of the fleet arriving to accept Japan’s surrender, Crouch said. While so many in the world celebrated the Allied victory in the Pacific, he and his comrades got to experience the surrender first-hand and take part in the beginnings of subsequent American presence in Japan.

“The pride that we came out victorious, and to see our nation lead the world -- that can’t be replaced,” Crouch said. “[We were] younger fellows at the time [who] shared our service to obtain that victory.”

The ship was relieved at the end of January 1946 and returned to the United States with its crew.

(“Veterans’ Reflections” is a collection of stories of men and women who served their country in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and the present-day conflicts. They will be posted throughout November in honor of Veterans Day.)

Face of Defense: Amputee to Return to Pilot Training

By Joel Langton

47th Flying Training Wing

LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, Nov. 2, 2010 – A Laughlin officer who lost much of his right leg after a boating accident got word last week that he’ll soon return to pilot training here.

Since his accident nearly 14 months ago, Air Force 1st Lt. Ryan McGuire has completed rehabilitation using his prosthetics, completed the Air Force Marathon and competed in the Warrior Games. Since July, he's been back on duty here, but not in pilot training.

"When I first lost my leg, I never dreamed this day would come," McGuire said. "But leadership here has supported me every step of the way, and honestly, they're the ones who gave me this dream to come back."

Air Force Col. Michael Frankel, 47th Flying Training Wing commander, said it was a no-brainer to support McGuire in his efforts.

"When I first met Lieutenant McGuire, it was obvious that this young man is something special," Frankel said. "He has always had a positive attitude. I've never seen him down, never seen him upset. He's always been pressing forward, trying to achieve his goals. I look forward to the day when he graduates from pilot training and I can hand him a set of silver wings."

McGuire was injured Sept. 6, 2009, when he was yanked from a boat jetting across Lake Amistad at 40 mph. He was lifted out of the boat by a rope that was tied to an inner tube when the wind caught the tube, pulling him out. His hip was dislocated, his pelvis was fractured, and his right foot was mangled.

The aftermath was a nightmare for many, and a challenge for McGuire. He was taken by ambulance to Val Verde Regional Medical Center in Del Rio, Texas, and 10 hours after the accident, he arrived by helicopter at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.

Initially, doctors attempted to repair the foot, but five weeks later, McGuire lost much of his right leg below the knee.

"It was so surreal," he said. "It probably really didn't hit home until I woke up after the surgery. I woke up after, and my mom started crying. I pretty much knew then it wasn't just a bad dream."

But that pain launched him onto the road to recovery. As a child, McGuire said, he wanted to be an Air Force pilot. His dream eventually led him through the Air Force Academy.

"I never wanted to give up my dream," he said. Through months of sometimes painful rehabilitation, he relearned to walk and then to run.

A medical board found McGuire fit for duty in August. Two days later, a waiver request was submitted to allow him to return him to pilot training, and the waiver was approved Oct. 29.

A few pilots are serving on active duty with prosthetics, but McGuire is the first student to be returned to training status. He said he's learned a lot through the whole ordeal, but that he especially learned the meaning of the words “Air Force family.”

"I went to the Academy, and it was a great time and we experienced a lot of camaraderie," he said. "However, throughout this, my Air Force family, and my real family, has been by my side throughout. The day of the accident, I had commanders at the hospital with me, helping take care of my real family, and ever since, they've been in my corner helping and pushing me as needed."

Navy Training Hosts Retired Flag Officers

By Steve Vanderwerff, Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs

PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- Retired flag officers from the Pensacola area gathered at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola conference center Oct. 26, for insight on ground operations and diplomacy in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Rear Adm. Joseph Kilkenny, commander, Naval Education and Training Command hosted the bi-annual event to keep retired officers in touch with current military operations.

Discussions included Seabee and Marine operations, and religious leader engagement.

"The discussions provided insight into the ground and diplomatic portion over in Iraq and Afghanistan," Kilkenny said. "We clearly don't have a shortage of topics, and in the future I'd like to get somebody from the Air Force and the Army to speak. Many of our retired flag and general officers are from the different services, and even though I'm hosting, I do run a lot of joint schools. I think it would be pretty interesting for the retired flag officers to see a joint perspective," said Kilkenny.

Kilkenny said the conference attendees spent most of their lives in the military, planning and carrying out operations, just like those in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"The general/flag officers eat, live and sleep military operations," Kilkenny said. "They see this stuff, day in and day out, in the news and want to be kept informed about what's going on. They are also active members of the community's business and civic groups, and if someone asks a question about military operations, they have a little different perspective because they've heard it from people who have been boots on the ground."

Guest speakers at the event were Capt. Lou Cariello, commanding officer, Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, Miss.; Navy Chaplain Capt. Michael Langston, commanding officer, Naval Chaplaincy School and Center; and retired Marine Colonel William McLaughlin, who served as chief of staff, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade.

"My brief about the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade's activities last year at Camp Leatherneck, the main Marine base in the Helmand Province, gave an overview of what's going on in Afghanistan as far as U.S. activities," said Mclaughlin. "We have such a great group of retired folks in the community. It's great to keep them engaged."

Langston's brief, called "Religion and Diplomacy - Cleric to Cleric Religious Engagement," gave insight into his experience as the theater chaplain with Combined Forces Command Afghanistan.

"One of the key things I wanted them to take away from my brief was that the chaplain is an asset available to the military leaders," said Langston. "In this religious world that we live in, they have a subject matter expert on their staff that is trained and can be used to help them better understand the arena which they have to fight.

"These general officers, once they retire, still have tremendous influence and relationships with the men and women of our active force. I hope my brief helped them understand the dynamics of how a chaplain can be used, that was a little different than in their day. Hopefully, they'll go back and be able to mentor, shape and provide a foundation for our future leaders," said Langston.

A veteran of many retired flag officer conferences, Rear Adm. Bill Mathis said the conferences really helped those attending to better understand current operations.

"Each of these conferences is different," said Mathis. "They renew the knowledge level of the guys who used to do this for a living. We know operations in Afghanistan are very difficult, but until you get somebody like the colonel explaining what he's been doing the last five years in Iraq and Afghanistan, you have no idea of what is taking place over there."

Iwo Jima Sailors Earn Enlisted Warfare Qualifications

By Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Mavis Tillman USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Public Affairs

PARAMARIBO, Suriname (NNS) -- Sailors on board the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) have been providing humanitarian assistance to 8 different countries, as well as bettering themselves professionally by earning their warfare qualifications during deployment.

A total of 366 Sailors have earned their Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS) or Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist (EAWS) qualifications, or both, since deploying in July.

Chief Information Systems Technician (SW/AW) Craig Harris, command ESWS coordinator, explains the importance of Sailors earning their qualifications.

"They [warfare qualifications] are beneficial for every Sailor in their Naval career," said Harris. "You have to have a knowledgeable crew of fully qualified personnel for a Naval vessel to be operational and ready to fight and to keep her afloat."

Warfare qualification is important for Sailors giving them a good familiarization of their ship. During the qualification process, Sailors are exposed to a vast number of jobs and learn the roles of everyone onboard.

The qualification process involves four separate parts: The Surface and Aviation Common Core qualification standards, the LHD specific qualification standards, written examination, and an oral board. The common core consists of policies, concepts, and responsibilities within the entire scope of Naval aviation and Naval surface warfare's from maintenance procedures to enlisted ratings.

The LHD specific qualification is unique to the Wasp class ship. "Sailors are responding to the program very well, and it's working," said Aviation Boatswain Mates Handling 1st class (AW/SW) Scott Lee, assistant EAWS coordinator. "They have remained consistently motivated even after very long and strenuous days working on the flight deck, engine room and ashore via community relations (COMREL) projects. These Sailors have worked tirelessly toward completing their examinations, practicing subject matter walkthroughs, and passing a rigorous board all to achieve both surface and aviation qualifications."

Cryptologic Technician Collection 1st Class Eliu Ortiz who came from Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) Texas, joined the Iwo Jima CP10 team and took advantage to complete all prerequisites and both warfare qualifications.

"I basically used most of my time off to get signatures, go to training, and study for the written tests and the oral boards," said Ortiz. "I was surprised with the opportunity and time given to me to board earlier than I planned."

Sailors across the Navy are pushing towards obtaining their ESWS and EAWS. "Now that enrollment into these programs are mandatory and will directly affect a members Perform to Serve results, its very satisfying knowing that I play a huge role in helping to shape a Sailors career," said Lee

An estimated 85 more Sailors are expected to qualify before the ship returns to its homeport of Norfolk, Va. mid-November.

For more news from USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd7/.

Today in the Department of Defense, Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn have no public or media events on their schedules.

Veterans' Reflections: 'Serving a Cause Bigger than Myself'

By Ian Graham

Emerging Media, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1, 2010 – If it weren’t for America, John Gunther Dean very well might not be alive today.

Born John Gunther Dienstfertig in Breslau, Germany, in February 1926, Dean had a good life to look forward to until the Nazi government started annexing surrounding nations by force -- persecuting, enslaving and murdering Jews along the way.

“This country was great to me,” he said. “I came as an immigrant, I was able to go to Harvard, I was fleeing Nazis. … I want to help the country.”

Dean’s family was one of the lucky ones; they escaped to the United States in the winter of 1938-39 and changed their surname. Dean was a quick study in Kansas City, Mo., where his family finally settled, and went off to study at Harvard at the age of 16. In 1944, he became a U.S. citizen and interrupted his education to join the Army.

“Every human being, regardless of age, has to decide at one point what they want to do with their life,” Dean said. “I wanted to serve a cause bigger than myself. Serving the country was a wonderful way of fulfilling that need.”

He originally was sent to Fort Belvoir, Va., to train as a combat engineer. But Dean -- a native German speaker who also is fluent in English, French and Dutch -- was a perfect fit to work in the Office of Military Intelligence at the infamous

P.O. Box 1142

, a facility housing teams that interviewed prisoners of war and made clandestine attempts to communicate with Allied prisoners held overseas.

After serving his enlistment, Dean returned to Harvard, where he finished his undergraduate studies in 1947. He studied law at the Sorbonne and got a degree in international relations from Harvard in 1950.

He would end up spending the next 39 years in the U.S. Foreign Service, eventually serving as the U.S. ambassador to Cambodia, Denmark, Lebanon, Thailand and India. But his time working with the military wasn’t over. He routinely worked side by side with top brass. In Vietnam, he oversaw a large contingent of U.S. diplomats as the war came to an end.

“I worked a great deal with the military from 1970 to 1972, in Da Nang, … I was given the equivalent rank of major general,” he said. “I had several hundred American advisors working for me in Vietnam. Unfortunately, 14 of them were killed.”

His unwavering dedication to telling the absolute truth in his diplomatic work often was unpopular, he said, but that didn’t keep him from speaking his mind to superior officers, secretaries of state and U.S. presidents.

“It wasn’t always much appreciated,” he said, noting that his honesty as a diplomat caused quite a few personal conflicts in addition to accolades.

He said his goal in his diplomatic career, fueled partly by his own life, has been to promote development around the world, irrespective of religious influence or culture, so long as the people represent good values and respect.

“I’ve tried to be the best possible representative for the good values the United States stands for, whether it was in military or civilian life,” he said. “We all come to this country, whether we’re Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus or Buddhists, we couldn’t care less – we care about our country, and it’s a wonderful country.

“I’m here today to help the country with the problems it has in 2010,” he added. “We’re all humans. We all make mistakes, and so I’m trying to help people learn to do things better.”

(“Veterans’ Reflections” is a collection of stories of men and women who served their country in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and the present-day conflicts. They will be posted throughout November in honor of Veterans Day.)

Guantanamo Prepares for Possible Destructive Weather from Tomas

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Leona Mynes, Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (NNS) -- Personnel at Naval Station (NAVSTA) Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, began preparing for possible destructive weather from Tropical Storm Tomas Nov. 1.

Installation leaders are tracking the storm and reviewing potential hazards, such as wind and rain, in an effort to establish a time line for setting condition of readiness (COR) levels to help protect base residents and property.

Tomas is expected to affect Guantanamo Nov. 6-7.

"We will most likely see anything from heavy rain and high seas to major high winds, flooding and damage," said Kevin Robarge, NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay's emergency manager.

The base completed a hurricane readiness exercise (HURREX) in May 2010 and is prepared for the possibility of destructive winds and rain, said Robarge.

"Coordination of resources is key to our preparation and success," said Robarge. "Each department is reviewing their instructions and making plans to begin accomplishing their required settings."

This Day in Naval History - Nov. 01

From the Navy News Service

1841 - "Mosquito Fleet" commanded by Lieutenant Commander J. T. McLaughlin, USN, carries 750 Sailors and Marines into the Everglades to fight the Seminole Indians.

1941 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt places Coast Guard under jurisdiction of Department of the Navy for duration of national emergency.

1967 - Operation Coronado IX began in Mekong Delta

1979 - Beginning of retirement of Polaris A-3 program begins with removal of missiles from USS Abraham Lincoln (SSBN 602). Last Polaris missile removed in February 1982.

General Officer Announcement

The chief of staff, Air Force announced today the following assignment:

Maj. Gen. Suzanne M. Vautrinot, director, plans and policy, J-5, Headquarters U.S. Cyber Command, Fort George G. Meade, Md., to special assistant to the vice chief of staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Guard Bureau Officials Look Into Fraud Allegations

By Air Force Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke

National Guard Bureau

ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 1, 2010 – National Guard Bureau officials are looking into allegations of fraud and abuse and, if necessary, revamping procedures for detecting fraud after it was discovered that several states may have disbursed funds as enlistment bonuses to those who may not have qualified for them.

"I am concerned and deeply disappointed about recent allegations involving mismanagement of funds in several state National Guards,” said Air Force Gen. Craig R. McKinley, chief of the National Guard Bureau. “These allegations will be thoroughly investigated by experts from across the NGB, [the Defense Department] and other federal entities. No stone will be left unturned.”

McKinley added that he has directed a review of National Guard Bureau management controls designed to prevent and detect potential financial mismanagement or abuse.

“I have directed U.S. fiscal and property officers in selected states to review similar controls at the state level,” McKinley said. “The results of these reviews will be submitted to me as soon as is practicable.”

The results of the review will be shared throughout the 54 states, territories and the District of Columbia to ensure the Guard’s personnel and processes abide by established legal and ethical standards, officials said.

McKinley has directed all fiscal and property officers to conduct a quick-reaction audit and review of pay compensation programs.

“I expect these actions to be your Priority One objective between now and the end of the calendar year,” McKinley said in a memorandum to the states’ adjutants general dated Oct. 29.

The allegations of fraud first surfaced in a news article in the Sacramento Bee newspaper after federal auditors reported them to the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service while looking into the disbursement of funds.

President Proclaims November as Military Family Month

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1, 2010 – President Barack Obama has signed a proclamation designating this month as Military Family Month.

Here is the text of the president’s proclamation:

We owe each day of security and freedom that we enjoy to the members of our Armed Forces and their families. Behind our brave service men and women, there are family members and loved ones who share in their sacrifice and provide unending support.

During Military Family Month, we celebrate the exceptional contributions of our military families, and we reaffirm our commitments to these selfless individuals who exemplify the highest principles of our Nation.

Across America, military families inspire us all with their courage, strength, and deep devotion to our country. They endure the challenges of multiple deployments and moves; spend holidays and life milestones apart; juggle everyday tasks while a spouse, parent, son, or daughter is in harm's way; and honor the service of their loved ones and the memory of those lost.

Just as we hold a sacred trust to the extraordinary Americans willing to lay down their lives to protect us all, we also have a national commitment to support and engage our military families. They are proud to serve our country; yet, they face unique challenges because of that service.

My Administration has taken important steps to help them shoulder their sacrifice, and we are working to ensure they have the resources to care for themselves and the tools to reach their dreams. We are working to improve family resilience, enhance the educational experience of military children, and ensure military spouses have employment and advancement opportunities, despite the relocations and deployment cycles of military life. Our historic investment to build a 21st-century Department of Veterans Affairs is helping to provide our veterans with the benefits and care they have earned.

We are also standing with our service members and their families as they transition back into civilian life, providing counseling as well as job training and placement. And, through the Post-9/11 GI Bill, our veterans and their families can pursue the dream of higher education.

However, Government can only do so much. While only a fraction of Americans are in military families, all of us share in the responsibility of caring for our military families and veterans, and all sectors of our society are better off when we reach out and work together to support these patriots.

By offering job opportunities and workplace flexibility, businesses and companies can benefit from the unparalleled dedication and skills of a service member or military spouse.

Through coordination with local community groups, individuals and organizations can ensure our military families have the help they need and deserve when a loved one is deployed. Even the smallest actions by neighbors and friends send a large message of profound gratitude to the families who risk everything to see us safe and free.

As America asks ever more of military families, they have a right to expect more of us -- it is our national challenge and moral obligation to uphold that promise. If we hold ourselves to the same high standard of excellence our military families live by every day, we will realize the vision of an America that supports and engages these heroes now and for decades to come.

Now, therefore, I, Barack Obama, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2010 as Military Family Month. I call on all Americans to honor military families through private actions and public service for the tremendous contributions they make in support of our service members and our Nation.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.

Barack Obama

DoD Visitor Capability Recognized With DoD CIO Award

DISA’s DoD Visitor capability -- which essentially allows any user with a DoD Common Access Card (CAC) temporary access on any computer when they are away from their “home domain” (their normal duty station) -- was awarded 4th place in the 2010 DoD Chief Information Officer (CIO) Awards.

Learn more about this capability and how it improves efficiency and strengthens network security by visiting http://www.disa.mil/news/stories/dod_visitor_110110.html.

Bataan Completes ULTRA-C

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Erin Boyce, USS Bataan (LHD 5) Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- The Sailors aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) completed a three-day underway Oct. 29 and returned to their homeport of Norfolk after passing their unit level training assessment - certification (ULTRA-C).

ULTRA-C is the evaluation portion of a 20-week basic training phase, allowing the crew an opportunity to certify in every major warfare area by conducting graded drills ranging from firefighting and defending the ship in simulated combat situations, to administration and personnel management.

"We evaluated how well Bataan prepared themselves in the integrated and sustaining phase," said Lt. Kelvin Harkin, the training liaison officer for Afloat Training Group (ATG) Mid-Atlantic. "They came together, performed to the best of their ability and were successful."

"This crew knocked it completely out of the park, and I couldn't be more proud," said Capt. Steve Koehler, Bataan's commanding officer, as he addressed the crew over the ship's general announcing system. "I asked a whole lot of you this week and throughout the preparations leading up to it. As always, you delivered in true Bataan style."

Bataan Sailors have had ULTRA-C on their minds since early summer, and the final result was a culmination of focused training and teamwork.

"Since June or July, we have been drilling and working long hours preparing for this certification," said Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 1st Class (AW) Rodney Shaw, one of Bataan's damage control training team members. "[This week] Sailors' motivation was really high, and excitement was flowing throughout the ship."

While motivation wasn't on the grade sheet used by ATG Mid-Atlantic, it didn't go unnoticed.

"I loved the motivation from the Sailors who were out there; they made it happen," said Harkin. "They are the most motivated Sailors I've ever seen, from day one. Bataan is definitely setting the bar to a lot of ships as a model of how ULTRA-C is completed."

Bataan will continue training and making preparations for a scheduled 2011 deployment.

Office of Naval Research to Co-launch Science Studio in Bronx, N.Y.

From Office of Naval Research Corporate Strategic Communications Public Affairs

ARLINGTON, Va. (NNS) -- The Office of Naval Research (ONR), the Navy and Marine Corps' science and technology provider; and Iridescent, a nonprofit group supporting underserved youth, are launching an educational studio in Bronx, N.Y., Nov. 4 to fuel that community's interest in science and mathematics.

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus will join Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Nevin Carr at the official opening of Iridescent's newest center.

"The Navy and Marine Corps have a stake in strengthening the future science and engineering workforce," Mabus said. "Our investment in programs like Iridescent demonstrates our commitment toward improving science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education for students across the country. This program is transforming the lives of children who might not otherwise be exposed to the wonders of technology and innovation."

ONR's partnership with Iridescent is part of a Department of Defense-wide campaign to grow a diverse STEM talent pool that will benefit future warfighters.

"Iridescent gets students excited about learning and passionate about inventing," Carr said. "They take everyday science topics and bring them to life through inspiring mentors and hands-on experiments.

"Using the simplest of tools, they are able to create and build real-world items such as houses, birds, roller coasters and boats; and then test the underlying science or engineering concepts. It is truly amazing to watch these children as they experience their first 'a-ha' moment," said Carr.

Along with Navy officials, the event is expected to draw representatives from state and local government, as well as hundreds of youths and their parents to the 2,750-square-foot facility.

In addition to ONR, more than 11 exhibitors will be represented at the Nov. 4 event, including Naval Surface Warfare Center, Newport, R.I., and NASA.

Visitors to the science center will get hands-on experience with robotics and other interactive demonstrations.