STORY BEHIND THE PLAQUE
Service Reflections of CDR Theodore Scheeser, U.S. Coast Guard (1961-1986)

I was raised in Akron, OH, not noted for its water boundaries. My family vacationed in Marblehead, OH, and I watched the Coasties at the nearby rescue station with awe. Since the Draft was ever-present and college was not in the future, I decided to join. When it came time to enlist, the recruiter was never there (a sub-station). I almost went into the Navy to get out of Akron.

But my mother, God rest her soul, made me keep trying. She didn’t want me to lose my dream.

Finally, I caught the recruiter, MM1 Reitler, and enlisted. But to confuse the recruiter, I sent my twin that afternoon to enlist. We went to the buddy program.

After graduating from boot camp, I went to Fleet Sonar School in Key West. My first assignment as an SO was on board the cutter Nike.

The next assignment was the Sagebrush. My first black one. While onboard her, I lateraled to QM. Had a little RCC duty in San Juan. The next assignment was the Sassafras as QM1.

From there, I went to OCS. I had a tour on the Spar (Ops) and two on the Sweetgum (XO & CO).

Had two tours at CCGD2(oan) and a tour at CCGD7(r), Group Buffalo, and Lorsta Cape Atholl, Greenland. I retired as Chief of Aids to Navigation in St. Louis in 1986.

The closest I got was in the Dominican Republic. We were there, not much to say about it. During the Cuban Crisis, the Nike was on patrol. I was earmarked for Viet Nam in 1970, but the Ltjg scheduled for Lorsta Cape Atholl, Greenland, said “no thank you” and resigned. Since I was on Spar in Boston, I was selected, and the rest is history.

Did you encounter any situation during your military service when you believed there was a possibility you might not survive? If so, please describe what happened and what was the outcome.

Looking back, there was one instance that could be considered life or death. While on Nike, we were on a rescue. We only had half of the crew at night and on heavy seas. Things turned bad. All of a sudden, the fishermen decided to jump into the water. We went into rescue mode, not wearing life jackets, laying on our bellies, trying to recover. The seas were bad, and we were in the trough. One of the fishermen said they could see the keel, and when it went the other way, we were submerged. I was pulled in but was caught by my XO, a person I didn’t like, and was pulled back in. He became my hero. We ended up saving nine while losing 3.

That’s a hard question because I enjoyed every minute of my career. But if I had to choose one, it would be the Black Fleet, especially the opportunity to command one. Then there was Lorsta Cape Atholl, Greenland. I’ll remember it forever. It was so unique, breathtaking, and amazing; nature’s hidden secret. I had the honor to attend the reception of the now Queen of Denmark.

From your entire military service, describe any memories you still reflect on to this day.

That would have to be a command. To enlist as an SR and make it to command is beyond belief. I was the CO of Lorsta Cape Atholl, Greenland, and USCGC Sweetgum.

My Command at Sea Insignia. I received two CG Commendations and a CG Achievement for my work. In total, I received 16 ribbons. The way I look at it, I did my best.

My Command-at-Sea Insignia. I think that is self-explanatory. As a Sailor, the ultimate goal was Command at Sea.

There were two for the same reason. Lt P.J. Bull and CDR Edgar Hutchinson were my mentors, and they, together, guided me to become an Officer.

There have been so many over my 25-year career. Taps has become required reading. So many have passed. As an exercise, I made a list, by name, of all those I served with on the Nike, my first ship. I estimate I remembered 90% of them.

Onboard the Nike. One day the C.O. John A. Pachard – brought his family down to the ship. Being only 19, I was checking out his daughter. I looked around and saw the old man with a twinkle in his eye, saying, “I’ll remember this” A couple of months after my indiscretion, we were on Campeche, and the anemometer got stuck. The seas were about three feet (a 5 to 10-degree roll). He sent one of the bridge gang up the mast to free it. Guess who? Here I was, wrapped around the yardarm spinning the anemometer cups. I looked down, and there he was, smiling to beat hell. Payback is hell.

Upon retirement, I attended college. I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of North Florida. I worked as an accountant until 2005 when I retired for good.

MOAA, USAA, and the American Legion. Camaraderie and a good way to keep up with what’s going on.

Confidence. In everything I’ve done. Some people may call it attitude. I call it not getting pushed around. Standing up for my principles and ideals. The older I get, the more I remember my years in the Coast Guard. There were only two days I didn’t like the first day of boot camp, with everyone yelling at us. The second day was better and got better each day. The other was on my retirement. I miss the camaraderie.

Serving your country is the proudest feature of service. Do your best. Things have changed over the years, mostly good. I joined in 1961, and compared to the present day, it’s like night and day. Things were quite different. But today’s sailors are savvier in technology and different rules.

It has helped with remembering all the moments of my career.