PRESERVING A MILITARY LEGACY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
The following Reflections represents CWO4 John W. Gregson’s legacy of his military service from 1966 to 1996. 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.
I met a fellow student at Johnson & Wales Jr. College in Providence, RI, in 1964, and talked about going into the military. He had served in the Coast Guard and highly recommended completing my military service in the Coast Guard.
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?
I entered the Coast Guard in January 1966, intending to do my four-year hitch and get out. While stationed in the Ceremonial Honor Guard in Washington, DC, I was able to strike for Storekeeper, the rate that my college background was related to. At the end of my tour in the Honor Guard, I attended SK school on Governors Island and then reported to my first operational unit.
I was nearing the end of my first enlistment when I got a call from a friend in the District Office in Boston asking what it would take to get me to reenlist. I told him a set of orders to Juneau, AK, as I had always wanted to go to Alaska. The next day, I received orders to report to Juneau, reenlisted for six years, and began what would turn out to be a 30-year career.
I retired on 1 April 1996.
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?
Haitian interdiction support operations.
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.
On one patrol on Vigilant we were sent to assist a fishing vessel off the Grand Banks in the North Atlantic. Seas built to between 40 and 50 feet. When we were almost to the vessel in distress, we were notified that the Canadian Coast Guard had reached the vessel and was providing assistance.
The bridge announced that we were turning around and heading back to our home port in New Bedford, MA, and that we were to stand by for heavy rolls as we came about. As we were making our turn a very large wave hit the stern of the Vigilant and went up the stern tube exhausts and knocked all the engines off line.
For about 20 minutes, we were at the mercy of the heavy seas and took rolls close to 70 degrees. Wondered if we were going to make it during that time, but the engineers finally got the engines running, and the ship was back on a course that was as safe as it could be considering the sea conditions, and we made it safely back to our home port two days later.
Of all your duty stations or assignments, which one do you have fondest memories of and why? Which was your least favorite?
My favorite duty station was the Ceremonial Honor Guard in DC. Great shipmates, and had the opportunity to see many world leaders and celebrities. We all worked hard together to make the Honor Guard the best unit it could be.
My least favorite was the District Office in Boston.
From your entire military service, describe any memories you still reflect on to this day.
Most memorable are the ones I participated in while in the Ceremonial Honor Guard in Washington, DC. Wreath-laying ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Full Honors Arrivals of foreign dignitaries at the White House and Pentagon. Meeting President Lyndon Johnson when he came out and greeted all the Honor Guard members before an arrival ceremony on the south lawn of the White House.
What professional achievements are you most proud of from your military career?
Working my way up from Seaman Recruit to retire as a CWO4. Received one Coast Guard Achievement Medal and two Commandant Letters of Commendation for job performance.
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?
Receiving the Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard Badge for my Honor Guard service from March 66 to October 67.
Which individual(s) from your time in the military stand out as having the most positive impact on you and why?
The Chief we had in the Honor Guard. He got me aimed in the right direction to enable me to succeed during the rest of my 30-year career.
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.
Fred Santesteban, Louie Carrillo, Curt Benson, Frank Vogtner, Larry Chaney, Larry Tucker, and Greg Shackleford from the Ceremonial Honor Guard. Still in contact with them, although Tucker and Shackleford have passed away.
SK2 Jack Porter from the District Office in Boston. He has passed away.
Dennis Layfield and Sam Clarino from Vigilant. Sam passed away, and Dennis lives in RI. I haven’t spoken to him in many years.
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?
The Chief Boatswain’s Mate on one of my ships that booted a Seaman over the side when he didn’t respond to an order quickly enough.
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?
Went to work for the State of Alaska as a Procurement Manager and retired 12/31/10. Currently, I do bike tours with a company in Juneau, AK, for the summer months.
What military associations are you a member of, if any? What specific benefits do you derive from your memberships?
USCG Chief Warrant Officers Association
USCG Chief Petty Officers Association
Military Officers Association of America
USCG Ceremonial Honor Guard Association
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?
It taught me discipline and dedication to whatever I do. I miss my shipmates most of all.
Based on your own experiences, what advice would you give to those who have recently joined the Coast Guard?
Work hard and do your best regardless of what job you are assigned.
In what ways has TogetherWeServed.com helped you remember your military service and the friends you served with?
It has helped me to keep track of some shipmates.
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