Mariani, Natale, EM1

TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, WHAT INFLUENCED HIS/HER DECISION TO JOIN THE COAST GUARD?

Defending My Country

I was in high school when the war was on and they bombed Pearl Harbor. I wanted to be a part of the military defending our country.

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.

My WW2 Shadowbox

I saw much combat and was in the Philippine liberation. The ship received a medal for its service and performance and also a Presidential Citation.

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?

German U-Boat

My fondest memory was Serving on the USCG 1418 out of Georgetown, SC. Our ship patrolled the coast of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida looking for the German U-Boats that were sinking our merchant ships.

FROM THEIR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY PERSONAL MEMORIES, YOU MAY BE AWARE OF, WHICH IMPACTED HIM/HER THE MOST.

USS Arizona Superstructure.

The day I sailed into Pearl Harbor and saw only the Arizona's super structure above the water line is a sight I'll never forget.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS DO YOU BELIEVE HE/SHE WAS MOST PROUD OF FROM HIS/HER MILITARY SERVICE?

USS Kalamazoo

My ship the USS Kalamazoo AOG 30 received a Presidential Citation and The Philippines Liberation Medal. Battle Stars for Iwo Jima and Okinawa. WWII was not all about awards and medals but to support our allies. When the USS Kalamazoo was assigned to the Australian Navy they were under attack by the Japanese. It was our job to refuel the Australian airplane landing strips. We fought along side of the Australians right up until we joined up with the invasion fleet for the Philippine Invasion. We received no awards or medals for our efforts but did receive the gratitude of a great ally. The Japanese had destroyed all oil and gas refineries in the region.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES HE/SHE RECEIVED, WHICH WERE THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO HIM/HER AND WHY?

The Philippine Liberation/Presidential Unit Citation

The Philippine Liberation and the Presidential Citation were the most meaningful. It made me feel good that I helped those poor people who suffered under the Japanese.

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?

My Mentors: Jack Dempsey, Marty Servo, Lou Ambers

In 1942 I was in Boot Camp located in Manhattan Beach, NY. My training Instructors were 3 famous fighters. They were Jack Dempsey, Marty Servo, and the great Lou Ambers. They took a skinny little kid out of the Great Depression and made a man out of him.

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?

Little too close for Comfort

While serving on the USCGR 1418 we were patrolling the western Caribbean Sea our sonar detected some activity below our ship. We knew the German U - Boats were raising havoc with the merchant ships here in "Torpedo Alley" so we made a depth charge run over the area. When we dropped the " ash can " the explosion lifted the aft end of the ship out of the water. Fortunately the ship had a steel hull and the only damaged that occurred was all the stand pipes came poking out of the deck .

IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, WHAT PROFESSION(S) DID HE/SHE FOLLOW AFTER DISCHARGE?

University of Buffalo E.E. Degree

I was an Electrician Mate !/C in the service. I worked at Western Electric as a Journeyman Electrician. I attended the University Of Buffalo and received my E.E. Degree.

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?

USCG Together We Served

USCG TogetherWeServed.

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?

Semper Paratus

The Coast Guard tradition is one of to help those in trouble no matter of the danger. We are always ready to help. Semper Paratus.

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?

Seamanship, the Forgotten Art

No where else can you can learn more about seamanship than in the Coast Guard.

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

I am 90 years old now most of the ring bolt kickers have passed away and will no longer splice the main brace and sail seven sheets to the wind. From an old Hooligan to you new Coasties. Semper Paratus.

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