United States Coast Guard

STORY BEHIND THE PLAQUE
Service Reflections of SS2 Stephen E. Winiecki, U.S. Coast Guard (1973-1979)

PRESERVING A MILITARY LEGACY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

The following Reflections represents SS2 Stephen E. Winiecki’s legacy of his military service from 1973 to 1979. If you are a Veteran, consider preserving a record of your own military service, including your memories and photographs, on Togetherweserved.com (TWS), the leading archive of living military history. The following Service Reflections is an easy-to-complete self-interview, located on your TWS Military Service Page, which enables you to remember key people and events from your military service and the impact they made on your life. Start recording your own Military Memories HERE.

Please describe who or what influenced your decision to join the Coast Guard.

Joining the Military

A family of service to the country, I volunteered during the Vietnam War. My Dad, older brother, brother-in-law, and several uncles served in the Navy, Air Force, and Army.

My desire to serve my country and help others was an easy choice during our country’s most troubled times.

Whether you were in the service for several years or as a career, please describe the direction or path you took. Where did you go to boot camp, and what units, bases, ships, or squadrons were you assigned to? What was your reason for leaving?

My Military Service Path

Decided early on to focus on a culinary career and serve my country at the same time. College was not an option at the time because of financial constraints and the negative college/ university culture of disrespect for the military and the ongoing war.

If you participated in any military operations, including combat, humanitarian and peacekeeping operations, please describe those which made a lasting impact on you and, if life-changing, in what way?

My Military Operations

A trip to GITMO (1975) for training with the Navy and the ship’s crew came with no demerits. Earning a Unit Commendation medal and the USCGC Dallas being awarded a Performance Award with Gold E placed on the mast, 1st in the history of the U.S. Navy or U.S. Coast Guard, was a tremendous achievement and a very proud moment being part of the crew.

Traveling on USCGC Dallas (WHEC-716) to Dakar, Senegal, with scientists who participated in the Global Atmospheric Tropical Experiment (G.A.T.E.) representing the USA, along with 16 other countries involved, was a great adventure and another proud moment.

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.

My Riskiest Military Moment

In November 1975, while aboard USCGC Dallas (WHEC-716), we were on a SAR mission to save a fishing vessel caught up in horrendous weather and 40+ ft waves. Never able to locate the vessel in distress, we found ourselves headed toward Nova Scotia and having to turn the vessel around on a monster wave, sliding down it while screws were out of the water and hanging on to the table stanchion in the mess hall, hanging completely extended.

The ship sustained damage, with lost radar, and communicated by voice radio with the USCG Station Boston. The helicopter on the flight deck lost a rotor and sustained a cracked fuselage.

Returned to Governor’s Island for ship repairs, helicopter removed for repairs, and returned to sea after about two weeks.

Of all your duty stations or assignments, which one do you have fondest memories of and why? Which was your least favorite?

Boot Camp (Cape May, NJ), U/21

My service aboard USCGC Dallas (WHEC-716) was my favorite and most memorable. Saw a lot of the world and probably wouldn’t have. The teamwork of the crew and the leadership of the captains we had 2 during my time on the Dallas (Captain J.P. Milbauer & Captain W.E. Smith) were professional & inspirational

Boot camp was the least favorable experience, but I learned a great deal about myself and the capabilities I thought I never possessed. I still would not have traded that experience, which forever changed my life in many great ways.

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

Remembering My Military Service

Now retired for a few years, I utilize my USCG training and experiences as a foundation to live my life outside of the corporate world.

USCG structure, discipline, routine, training & leadership fundamentals learned to structure my lifestyle today.

What professional achievements are you most proud of from your military career?

Subsistence Specialist, “A” school

My Subsistence Specialist, “A” school training, and advanced culinary training at Fraunces Tavern Restaurant in lower Manhattan were fundamental drivers in my very successful career in the food service industry.

Training as a Boarding Officer & being JOD during routine patrols and SAR missions at USCG Station Lorain, OH, was exciting and provided great leadership skills and experience.

Of all the medals, awards, formal presentations and qualification badges you received, or other memorabilia, which one is the most meaningful to you and why?

Dakar, Senega

I was very proud to receive recognition for a trip to Dakar, Senegal, for the G.A.T.E. Project. Something that affected the USA and the world in total, with weather experiments by world scientists, was a big deal. And, their results concluded that all the world scientists ‘ predictions actually came true almost 10 years later!

Which individual(s) from your time in the military stand out as having the most positive impact on you and why?

My Most Influential Person

My company commander in boot camp, who changed me from a young boy into a man, was very inspirational. Coming from a military family, I sort of knew what to expect, but he kept driving me to be the best. I ended up winning the physical fitness award in my company.

All my instructors in Subsistence Specialist, ‘A’ school, honed in on ensuring everyone was always on top of their game and ready when graduation time came along.

List the names of old friends you served with, at which locations, and recount what you remember most about them. Indicate those you are already in touch with and those you would like to make contact with.

People I Served With

Remember Wayne T. Ozark, Bill Thompson III, Richard Suki & Russ Warzeniak from the USCGC Dallas (WHEC-716). They were all incredible shipmates along with Senior Chief “Sammy” who led our food service on the ship.

Remember Michael Hughes & Colby Mansell, along with Master Chief Menendez from USCG Station Lorain. They were all great leaders, and I learned a great deal from all of them.

Can you recount a particular incident from your service, which may or may not have been funny at the time, but still makes you laugh?

My Funniest Military Memory

It was easy: getting woken up in the middle of the night in boot camp and being marched into the Atlantic Ocean with mattresses and duffel bags. Then, having to be ready for inspection later that morning.

One particular morning, while in formation and training, a couple of seamen were inspected and had excess facial hair (they had not shaved). They were sent to the waterfront (which was the Atlantic Ocean) to find two seashells. When hustling back, they were asked if they were male/ female, and the answers were predetermined to be incorrect. So they returned to the water’s edge for two more and returned to formation. It was at that point they were instructed to shave, which caused scrapes & cuts. At this point, they were sent off to the infirmary.

We had one particular shipmate in boot camp who would not shower, shave, or handle personal business with anyone else in the locker room-type bathrooms/ showers…one evening before lights out (we were all on KP – Kitchen Patrol duty at the time). We had placed a raw whole liver, wrapped in a plastic bag, under this guy’s pillow. He was alone in the bathrooms at the time. After he returned, we all watched from our bunks as he wiggled & squirmed, trying to get comfortable. Once his hand touched the wiggling liver under his pillow, he let out a blood-curdling yell! We were already dressed under covers, knowing full well a trip to the grinder by our company commander was in store for that episode. It was well worth the late-night exercises …!

What profession did you follow after your military service, and what are you doing now? If you are currently serving, what is your present occupational specialty?

My Post-Military Career

USCG Culinary training set the stage for a very successful career in the food service industry.

In what ways has serving in the military influenced the way you have approached your life and your career? What do you miss most about your time in the service?

Professional Food Training

As stated with earlier questions, the USCG provided many life lessons on how structure, discipline, and integrity will not only help during normal times but also help with keen focus during very stressful events or discouraging times.

Miss the camaraderie and teamwork that made life fulfilling and memorable, especially during challenging times.

Based on your own experiences, what advice would you give to those who have recently joined the Coast Guard?

My Advice on Military Service

Learn as much as you can from anyone willing to provide it. Attend training schools and routinely practice/ drill honing your skills. When your time comes to deliver on a SAR mission, humanitarian event, war setting, or what have you, emotion becomes second nature and your training will always carry you to positive results.

In what ways has TogetherWeServed.com helped you remember your military service and the friends you served with?

I just joined and am waiting to see how this site may deliver some long-lost connections. I try to live by the USCG code “Semper Paratus” (always ready) every day.

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Boot Camp, Units, Combat Operations

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Tags: Air Force, Army, Boarding Officer, GITMO (1975), Global Atmospheric Tropical Experiment (G.A.T.E.), KP - Kitchen Patrol, Navy, Performance Award with Gold E, SAR mission, Subsistence Specialist, U.S. Coast Guard, Unit Commendation medal, USCG Culinary, USCG Station Boston, USCG Station Lorain, USCGC Dallas (WHEC-716), Vietnam War

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