Loreng, Robert, RM2

TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, WHAT INFLUENCED HIS/HER DECISION TO JOIN THE COAST GUARD?
Upon graduating from High School, was informed by many prospective employers that being "Draft Bait" would have a hard time getting employment. The main reason was a gentleman I knew was in the CG Auxiliary and sponsored me for an Activity week at the CG Academy. I was impressed by what I learned and really impressed by meeting CDR Otto Graham who gave a lecture. I took the Academy test and failed. But I liked what I had seen and enlisted at 17.

TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH HE/SHE TOOK IN HIS/HER MILITARY SERVICE. WHERE DID THEY GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE THEY ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS HIS/HER REASON FOR LEAVING?
I wanted to become a Corpsman but was influenced to go for Radioman school as it was a critical rate as I was told. Had a hard time with the electronics and code at first and was re-phased over Christmas for a two month re-phase and aced the code from then on. Graduated with my "Crow" and was very happy ab out that. Served on Half Moon with the greatest group of guys. Was discharged from the Half Moon in July of 1966. Ship was ordered to Vietnam in early 1967 so no combat duty for me.

IF HE/SHE PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE YOU FEEL WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO HIM/HER AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY.
No combat operations as was discharged a few months before ship was ordered to SE Asia.

OF ALL THEIR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY HE/SHE HAD FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS THEIR LEAST FAVORITE?
USCGC Half Moon WAVP378. I had the best shipmates and enjoyed my job in Radio Shack. Made 2nd class while serving aboard.

FROM THEIR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY PERSONAL MEMORIES, YOU MAY BE AWARE OF, WHICH IMPACTED HIM/HER THE MOST.
Being sent to Navy Crypto School during February in Newport R.I. I got frostbite walking to the school from the barracks. They had an Admiral's inspection during that week and all I had with me were my gabardine tailor made blues. I was scared to death but the Admiral came up in front of me and said "Sharp". I thought I was going to die.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES HE/SHE RECEIVED, WHICH WERE THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO HIM/HER AND WHY?
National Defense means the most to me.

IF KNOWN, PLEASE LIST ANY INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM HIS/HER TIME IN THE MILITARY WHO STOOD OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEM AND WHY?
John Murphy SO2. We had a good time no matter the circumstances. There were many many others but "Old Paddlefoot" stands out. John also organized our ships reunion in 1997 along with several other shipmates (too many to mention).

ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM HIS/HER SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MADE THEM LAUGH LATER ON?
The ship was sent up to Bridgeport CT. for weekend open-ship. I had the duty weekend and the other duty sections had liberty. The Chief who ran the ships store went back to New York. All the guys in the Radio shack ran out of cigarettes. We had FN Frank "Bugs" Moran use his white hat to grub for cigarettes from the civilians touring the ships bridge. He said I just put on a sad face and said "Can you spare a cigarette from everyone who went buy him. That old white hat turned inside out looked like a bucket when he came back down.

IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, WHAT PROFESSION(S) DID HE/SHE FOLLOW AFTER DISCHARGE?
I became a teletype operator for a Wall St. Brokerage company and moved into operations for telecommunications from there. After many years ended s a manager/network engineer with AT&T and retired in 2010.

IF KNOWN, WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS WAS HE OR SHE A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY SPECIFIC BENEFITS THEY DERIVED FROM THEIR MEMBERSHIPS?
American Legion, Glendale Post 104 in Queens NY. Have been the Commander for past 4 years. Also joined the VFW Men's Auxiliary at a local Post. Helping out during Veterans functions and the like is most fulfilling.

IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU BELIEVE HIS/HER SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY THEY APPROACHED THEIR PERSONAL LIFE, FAMILY LIFE AND CAREER?
I always believed that there should be order in whatever we do. I learned this in the Coast Guard and have carried that forward with my life.

IF THEY WERE HERE TODAY, WHAT ADVICE DO YOU THINK HE OR SHE WOULD GIVE TO THOSE WHO FOLLOWED IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS AND RECENTLY ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE?
No matter how Chicken s*&# it seems, it is for a reason and you do learn a lot about life during your service. Remember you are providing security for your country even if you don't think so.

HOW EFFECTIVE HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM BEEN IN HELPING YOU RECORD YOUR REMEMBERED PERSONS MILITARY SERVICE? DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE?

TWS and the US Coast Guard

There is always an answer available to whatever military questions you may have. It always gives us a forum to discuss things with former shipmates.

DS 5/20/16