STORY BEHIND THE PLAQUE
Service Reflections of BMCM Tom Arnold, U.S. Coast Guard (1967-1997)

I had a neighbor in Santa Ana, CA who went into the CG. My dad was a 20-year Marine, but I chose the CG and am truly glad I did. I know I saved many lives and specifically remember pulling a man from the waters of Jamaica Bay, NY, moments before he went down.

I decided early to be a Boatswain’s Mate. I never looked back and enjoyed the path my choice made for me. I was stationed from Alaska to New York. I retired as an E-9 Boatswain’s Mate with NO regrets.

I was stationed in San Francisco when two Chevron Tankers collided under the Golden Gate Bridge. I was in San Francisco for the occupation of Alcatraz. I was on the USCGC Barataria, and during one of our Ocean Stations, we evacuated the crew of the SS Yavari (an old Victory ship) that sank just south of Ocean Station in November. I worked at the Golden Gate Bridge for several years.

I know, just in the process of SAR, we were exposed to severe elements, and there was always a possibility of catastrophic failure of our equipment. Working in heavy season 44’s is always a situation that can and does go bad. Do you remember a time when I was on the Point Judith out of Santa Barbara? We were U/W on a SAR and were being assisted by an Air Force helicopter, AT NIGHT, when we got a radio call from them saying “we’re going down” They lost oil pressure in the rotor head and had to ditch just off the coast west of Santa Barbara, luckily we were only a few minutes away but having to locate them at night in the dark took a bit.

I feel the last job I had was the best. I was the small boat manager for the 11th/12th district, then in my last year in PacArea, I had some influence over the entire PacArea. The Small Boat Manager position was an administrative position in the district office to oversee the small boats in the district. I took on the establishment to support the guys and gals running the boats. I would travel throughout the district, and when back in the office, I would write an unofficial trip report to submit it to (osr), then (o) for their information. I believe these were also shown to the District Commander.

My least favorite job would have to be Group Lower Mississippi River. The first CO/XO was really great, the last CO and XO were idiots, and along with them, I was stabbed in the back by the operations officer, whom I thought was a friend. I developed a computer spreadsheet to track and simplify the procurement of the major items necessary for the ATON Cutters to manage the Marking of the River System under our command. The OPS Boss took credit for the program, and the Group CO and XO awarded him for that. I received a page 7. The worst leadership I encountered in the Coast Guard.

My retirement. The location was Station Golden Gate at the North end of the Golden Gate Bridge. The day was just beautiful. It was a day to remember. Pacific Area Commander cleared his calendar to attend. My wife got flowers. I had asked one of the LT. in the office if he would allow the Point Carrew an 82-footer from Channel Island Harbor to remain in San Francisco a couple of extra days so they could attend. I asked another officer in the office if a Coast Guard Helicopter could fly over the ceremony, and she arranged that for me.

My proudest achievement was what I was able to accomplish in my last four years as Small Boat Manager. Being able to procure items for the small boat community and be sure they were well represented at the District Level. Moving boats around to provide units with the best platform to do their jobs. Just representing the small boat community. I remember a specific incident during that time. One of the 378’s was preparing to depart for an Alaska fisheries patrol. I noticed their small boat in the base’s boat basin, and it was riding low in the water, so I talked to the ship and then made a call to a friend back in Alameda and asked if he could get a refurbished boat to the ship prior to their departure. The CO emailed me, “THANKS.”

The award was presented to me at my retirement by the Chief of Staff for PACAREA, Capt. Mark McDonald, with the PACAREA Commander sitting in the front row. And a TEAM COMMENDATION I received for helping and supporting the OINC move his station to Cal Maritime Academy (I was shocked).

I’d have to say the first person to have a positive impact would have to be BMCM Cliff Rosen. Then, probably the First CO and XO I had in Milwaukee. LCDR Jack Orchard and CDR Jim Ingham. Both were lawyers who taught me volumes during our upswing into law enforcement. I would also have to include Capt. Sardeson and Capt Daniell from the Mellon/Munro. And the entire senior staff at D11/12 in Long Beach.

BMCM Ron Mealey and I ran small boats together in San Francisco Bay and were stationed together in Oklahoma City, and lastly attended each other’s retirements. I first met BMCM Cliff Rosen at the Institute in OKC and stayed in touch until his passing. BMCM Paul Driscoll and I were stationed together in Long Beach and commuted together; we stayed in touch for several years.

I was stationed at Ft. Point in San Francisco. Some would think I was sick, but we had gotten a “jumper” call, and we found the body just outside the Golden Gate Bridge, close to old Fort Point, and maneuvered the 44 so we could hide the recovery from the public. It was a woman’s body, and her pants had been forced to her knees by the impact, and we were trying to protect her privacy.

Anyway, the currents spun the boat to where our recovery was in full view of anyone on the land. What made the situation worse was that we pulled the woman up to the rail of the 44 and couldn’t get her on board. So I stepped over the rail, putting my foot on the rubber fenders, and grabbed her pants at her knees to finish pulling her onboard.

It may have been more embarrassing for us, but the situation was comical in the fact that we tried to conceal our recovery and ended up showing off instead. I recovered well over 20 bodies from the GG Bridge. Most were simple and sad that so many people feel the need to jump off that beautiful bridge. We always wished that people would come to talk to us before jumping, but that was only a wish. I’ve seen a book about a CHP Officer who talked many people off the ledge, and I have always envied him for doing that. The satisfying part of that was being able to recover them for their families.

We (wife and I) stumbled into the Campground/Mini-storage business and for most of the next 15 years and worked in Russellville, AR, Petaluma, CA, Clarksville, TN, and Oklahoma City, OK. We finally had to quit working in 2011 after purchasing a home in Claremore, OK.

Working in the campground was becoming too hard for my body. I began having severe pain in both knees, and continuing to work was becoming more and more difficult. And the original owner we worked with had been killed in a traffic accident 6 months earlier, and we missed him and really needed to get out of the business.

CPOA – nothing

DAV– They helped me get to 100% disabled

Bottom Line – helping people and caring about them.

Help people, uphold the law, and serve to the best of your ability. The US Coast Guard directly protects and serves the American people. Semper Paratus!!

I would have to say this has been the only real way to completely remember my 30+ years in the Best Service of all.