Mel in 1945

My Time in the U. S. Coast Guard

It was 1943, and I was a high school senior.  National Geographic magazine had a story about the Coast Guard that was so inspiring that I gave a report on it in my history class. Mrs. Hefflefinger was the substitute teacher that day and gave me an A. From then on our regular teacher (Miss Chapman) watched me with suspicion, but not for long. That article about the Coast Guard made me think about making it a career. I'd turned seventeen in August, and joined the Coast Guard on Halloween.

Government Island

I did three months of basic training in Alameda on Government Island...marching and learning what it was all about....Did you know that the Coast Guard flag was the only one allowed to fly higher than the U.S. flag? After basic training, they wanted volunteers to go on the US Capps Navy Troop Ship.

I remember the first time when we went  to Catalina Island on a 45 ft. crew boat. When the Coxswain hit the throttle our boat surged forward. The bow rose up and dived down in the rough water. We had to drop and hang on. More fun than a carnival Ferris wheel for the first hour. I was in the cabin when the Commander looked at me and suggested I go topside. It was a good idea. I really felt sick! There was a head (toilet) in the rear cabin, but the seasick Koreans had it plugged up. They were being trained  at Toyon Cove Catalina Island.

When we pulled into dock our boat was higher, and he'd play with the throttle, gently moving back and forth keeping it steady on rough water, so we didn't have to tie up. We could step out onto the dock. The Commander was the only Coast Guardsman. The rest of the crew were Navy.

Nights when the officers had liberty in Avalon (at right), we'd take them in on a crew boat. Coming back was fun. They were drunk and had been fighting with Merchant Marines. Flying fish would jump in and hit them right in the face.

I saw Mary Anne (before she married Dell Reibe) at one of the Bays. They called her "Caps." I operated a haul boat to pick up beds, shelves, tables etc. The water was rough, hitting the rig from the side causing it to go sideways. I almost missed the island. LCVP (Landing Craft Vehicle Personal).

One time while home on liberty, I mentioned the Coast Guard to Jerry McQuinn because I thought he might like it. He agreed. After mentioning it to the Commander, he had him transferred down. When the war ended I put in for transfer back to the Coast Guard.

I was sent back to Long Beach where my ship, the 125' Coast Guard Cutter RELIANCE, was being repaired. Interestingly, it was commissioned in 1927 the year I was born. The refurbishing took a couple of months. When it was ready to go, we were all busy loading up. The ship's plank was narrow. I was carrying a case of eggs and while passing another guy, we bumped knees. I almost went down with the pain. Turned out that I had a double knee cap that required surgery...so I was sent to sick bay. Then we headed for Honolulu, Hawaii. When we were half way there, the Skipper stopped, and everybody went swimming.

In Honolulu we took over the Matson liner dock. I got into the motor pool, and turned out to be the only guy they let drive the big Dodge truck. I'd lead the caravan whether driving it or the bus. The Hawaiians weren't very good drivers and after dinner we would go out front and watch the accidents. I'd lucked out to be the first driver who drove six months without getting in an accident. One time while maneuvering towards the front of the Castle and I noticed another vehicle headed our way. I stopped and told everyone to "watch!" The Hawaiian collided with someone else.

I was stationed in Honolulu for nine months and discharged from service in June of 1946 (before the decommissioning of my ship in 1947). The memorable, miserable trip back home was on a troop ship sleeping on the deck wherever I could find a spot to put my sleeping gear. Wouldn't you know it... when we reached the port, I overslept and had to wait another day. The idea was painful.

 

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