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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Coast Guard Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
MCPO Curtis Leary U.S. Coast Guard (Ret) (1953-1980)
WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MILITARY?
The U.S. Coast Guard was a family tradition dating back to my great granddad, granddad and my dad, seven uncles and a couple of cousins. I kept up the tradition by following in their footsteps.
I was born and raised in the Outer Banks of North Carolina at  Station Caffey's Inlet LSB just north of the Town of Duck. I played and worked at the station when I was a small boy shining brass, painting inside the life boats and sometime, when a teen, took showers at the station. When company came during hunting season, I slept at the station. A big thrill was riding in jeeps, command cars and various other trucks including an amphibious truck commonly known as the "Duck." I even walked beach patrol during World War II. I was in the Coast Guard before I was really in the CG.
When I retired from the Coast Guard after a 27-year career, our 267 year family tradition of serving our country in the U.S. Coast Guard came to an end.
WHAT WAS YOUR SERVICE CAREER PATH?
 I started out as a Seamen Apprentice in the CG Reserve, went active duty when Hurricane Hazel came through the Carolinas in 1954, changed to Firemen aboard the CGC Verbena home ported in Washington, NC, transferred to the CGC Dexter as a EN2 in 1958, decommissioned her in Baltimore with Alameda, CA as the home port. Transferred from the Dexter to Base Alameda on a 50 footer doing Boarding, Search & Rescue in the Napa River and others areas of the valley. Changed rate to TT and finished my career as a TT (Telephone Technician). Last duty station was ESMT Manasquan, NJ.
DID YOU PARTICIPATE IN COMBAT OPERATIONS? IF SO, COULD YOU DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH WERE SIGNIFICANT TO YOU?
No. As a TT we were not needed in Vietnam however a couple of TT's were stationed in Bangkok to repair Model 28 Teletypes (TTY's) and act as couriers.
WHICH, OF THE VESSELS OR DUTY STATIONS YOU WERE ASSIGNED TO, DO YOU HAVE THE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY?
 Starting out as a TT3 out of basic TT School, my first duty station was the Hoquiam TT Shop, Hoquiam, WA. I learned a lot during this time and made 1st class TT while there. The men at this shop were great including the CO.
The photo is of us working in the shop on TTY's.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE CAREER WHAT PARTICULAR MEMORY STANDS OUT?
Working on laying a new submarine cable 8 miles long across the Wilapa Bay, near Westport, WA. We had to figure eight the cable on a large barge and splice each reel of cable together on the barge. This was coaxial cable that required special splicing techniques not taught in the TT School. Very hard work, all by hand. Another time was when a dredger cutting a new channel hooked our submarine cable across the harbor at Westport, WA on the South Shores development. This was another hand over hand job requiring new cables and splicing with splice cases as it was lead cable with paper insulated conductors. And don't forget the many storms such as the October '62 storm that wiped out a large section of the CG landlines along the WA and OR coast line.
OF THE MEDALS, AWARDS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES OR DEVICES YOU RECEIVED, WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
 The CG Achievement Medal when stationed at COMSTA Honolulu, Hawaii. I helped with the design and expansion of the COMSTA in 1974-1975. I sanded and spray painted all the old consoles earth brown and gold colors to match the new consoles for the radiomen. I wired each console with the latest receivers, scanners, multiple speakers, patches, etc. This required many hours of hard labor and technical experience. In addition, a crypto room was added that required new patch panels for all the different radio antennas coming into the building. The end result was a showcase for the 14th District. The CO was great to work with as well as the District Engineer assigned to this project.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL PERSON FROM YOUR SERVICE STANDS OUT AS THE ONE WHO HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
TTC Robert Eversole at the TT Shop in Hoquiam, WA. He knew everything about telephone work, cable splicing, chainsaws for cutting trees and brush and Teletypes of the older models, 14's, 15's. He depended on us for the newer 28's. Great to hunt with and always a great leader in shop and on the road.
Next was TTCM Keith Merritt at Advance TT School as my instructor and at Manasquan, NJ as the XPO. Great submarine cable man and XPO of the shop. We are still great friends and the TT Reunions we have bring us together.
These two TT brothers taught me a whole lot in workmanship and as a leader.
CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE THAT WAS FUNNY AT THE TIME AND STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
 While in Hoquiam, WA I was sent from the shop up to Point Grenville, a LORAN station, to repair a TTY. On my way up I come across a car that was involved in an accident. A man and woman was standing by the road and the man had blood stains on his shirt. I stopped and ask if I could help. They said they were ok but the man said his wife was not responsive. I spoke to the lady and she sounded OK to me. Then I learned that this woman was not his wife but another lady lying next to a stump at the edge of a ditch was his wife. Seeing she was not responding when called but breathing, I decided to climb a pole and call in to my CG TT Shop for an ambulance. I put on my climbing hooks and started putting on my belt when the first women yanked it off and said I was not going to make a call. I finally got the belt on and started up the nearest telephone pole when I was pulled back down by this woman. After several attempts I ask why she did not want me to call in. I was told that the man and women got the wife drunk so they could fool around and if the woman's husband found out she would be in deep kimchee. I finally called in and got an ambulance sent out. The women that was unresponsive was sure enough drunk, not injured but bruised up from being thrown out of the car. First TT that was ever pulled off a pole by an Indian squaw.
WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER THE SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT JOB?
 I immediately got a job with Northern Telecom, later name changed to Nortel Networks. My job was in Customer Technical Support in the DMS-10 Division at Research Triangle Park, NC. I did a lot of traveling around the country and overseas working with customers solving problems with the product, lightning issues, grounding and power problems. I retired in 1993 and started my own company called Grounding Solution Services Inc. doing what I did with Nortel. I retired from that job in 2011. The attached photo is that of a Master Ground Bar in a telephone central office.
WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
The American Legion, Cary Post 67. Past Commander and currently serving as Post 67 Public Relations Officer.
Armed Services E9 Association (AFE9A), Immediate Past National President
Member Elizabeth City CPOA
East & West Coast TT Reunion gang.
HOW HAS MILITARY SERVICE INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND CAREER?
 The CG taught me how to be successful in many ways, from technical training, training, mechanical and leadership areas. This experience got me my job with Nortel and helped me start and run a business.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR THOSE THAT ARE STILL SERVING?
Take all the education courses you can, work with others as you would have them work with you, support your officers above you and those below you. Respect others, work and live with the community where you are stationed and join the American Legion for great benefits.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU MAINTAIN A BOND WITH YOUR SERVICE AND THOSE YOU SERVED WITH?
Keeping in touch with old shipmates, reunion information and what is going on in the CG today.
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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 TWS Voices HERE.
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