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- OTHER SERVICES VOICES:
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- COAST GUARD
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An up close and personal interview with Coast Guard Veteran and Coast Guard.Togetherweserved.com Member:
CPO John Butts, Retired (USCG 1969-1989)
WHAT PERSUADED YOU TO JOIN THE SERVICE?
 I was attending college in Seattle and my draft number was coming up. It was 1969 and the Viet Nam conflict was now in full swing. I went to the Coast Guard Recruiter and tried to enlist to help do my bit. He said he was sorry but had no openings at that time. The Recruiter suggested that I enlist in the US Navy, as they were looking for people, and after 4 years come back and see him. That's exactly what I did and haven't looked back since.
BRIEFLY, WHAT WAS YOUR CAREER PATH IN THE SERVICE?
I come from a seafaring family and had already sailed aboard ocean tugs as an ordinary seaman at the age of 16. I love seamanship, so in the Navy I became a Boatswain's Mate and while stationed in Yokosuka Japan became a Tug Master as a BM2. When I left the Navy and joined the USCG I remained a BM and followed this seaman's career path. I was fortunate to be the Officer in Charge (Captain) of two Coast Guard Cutters, an Ice breaking tug in Maine, and an inland buoy tender in Seattle, WA.
DID YOU PARTICIPATE IN COMBAT OPERATIONS?
While in the Navy I served two deployments aboard ship in Viet Nam under CTF 77 in 1972 and 1973. I was there when the peace treaty was signed in Jan. 1973.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE CAREER WHAT PARTICULAR MEMORY STANDS OUT?
I was aboard the USCGC Sweetbrier WLB405, an ocean buoy tender home ported in Cordova, Alaska. It was 1985 and I was the Chief Boatswain's Mate and Command Chief. It was my third year of a three year tour. We got underway for Honolulu, Hi to go through Navy re-fresher training. Unknown to me my appendix had ruptured before we even got out of Prince William Sound, Alaska. For the ten day transit I felt ill but stood my watches all the way. I had no idea what was wrong. When we docked in Pearl Harbor I went to sick bay and they couldn’t figure it out. I remember it well as it was my 35th birthday. About 0200 I had the corpsman take me to the Army hospital. They seemed puzzled as well and decided to open me up. They found the ruptured appendix, and I has a temperature of 104! They pronounced imminent death and had my wife flown in from Alaska. Three weeks later I woke up and the Army doctor said I should be dead. She said she never saw anyone with my constitution to live before. It was one heck of an ordeal and I am thankful for making it.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL PERSON FROM YOUR SERVICE STANDS OUT AS THE ONE WHO HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU...AND WHY?
No one person specifically, but a collection of the people I admired because of their leadership and knowledge, those who guided me through the ranks to become who I am.
WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER THE SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?
 I am a licensed Merchant Marine Master and the day after retiring I flew to Prince William Sound, Alaska to command an ocean tug in support of the Exxon Valdez oil spill. I continued to sail aboard tugs all along the West Coast and Alaska until 1989 when I moved from Alaska back to my home state of Washington in what was the culmination of over 30 years at sea. Currently I operate heavy equipment and heavy haul trucks. I have owned and operated my own trucks as well, even hauling to Alaska from the lower "48".
HOW HAS SERVING IN THE COAST GUARD INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU NOW APPROACH YOUR LIFE AND CAREER?
The Coast Guard inspired me to truly be my best and excel in my duty assignments. I always strived to be professional and still do to this day. Attention to detail and successful completion of the task has always been my goal.
HOW HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU TO MAINTAIN A BOND WITH THE SERVICE AND THOSE YOU SERVED WITH?
I enjoy logging on and seeing who I might recognize. I was referred by a shipmate and continue to search for those I have served with. I have even had some great exchanges with Coasties whom I have a lot in common with as well as similar experiences. I was honored to be featured in the Profile of the Day section. Above all TWS is a way to stay involved and remember some of the best years of my life.
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CPO John Butts
View CPO John Butts'sShadowbox on TWS
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TWS VOICES
TWS Voices are the personal stories of men and women who served in the US Military and convey how serving their Country has made a positive impact on their lives. If you would like to participate in a future edition of Voices, or know someone who might be interested, please contact Major Wesley Prater HERE.
This edition of Coast Guard Voices was supported by:
CoastGuard.Togetherweserved.com
For current and former serving Members of the US Coast Guard, TogetherWeServed.com is a unique, feature rich resource helping Coast Guardsmen to re-connect with lost Shipmates, share memories and tell their Coast Guard.
To join CoastGuard.Togetherweserved.com, please click HERE.
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