Cote, Bill, MK2

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE COAST GUARD.
My dad and step-dad were both WWII vets. My dad joined the Army Air Corps in 1940 for service in the Philippines and Guadalcanal. My step-dad was in the US Army with the 965th Field Artillery. He was in the Battle of the Bulge, Omaha Beach, and 3 other major

My sister and I at a wedding circa 1980!!!

battles. I had 3 uncles and an older brother in the US Navy.

I joined the Maine Army National Guard in 1978 my junior year in high school. I went to Army Basic Training in August 1978 at Fort Dix NJ. Then I graduated from high school 5 months early in Jan. of 1979. I went back to Ft. Dix for my AIT Power Generator and Wheel Vehicle Mechanic school in Jan of 1979. Then back to my Guard unit in Belfast, Me. I became an M-60 Machine Gunner at 17.

My assistant Gunner was a Nam vet Marine who taught me very well in the use of the 60. We had our summer training in North Dakota in June of 1979. I asked a friend when he thought they would put me in the motor pool and he said probably when my 6 years were up.

I was offered OCS school, but I gave it some thought and decided I wanted a change. Since I grew up on the coast of Maine and most of my friends and their dads were fishermen, I decided that I would join the US 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.
After attending prior service Boot Camp at Cape May NJ. I was assigned as an SA, aboard the CGC Gallatin from August of 1979- December of 1980. I worked in the engine room for MK1 Steve Brown, Mk1 Clark and MKCS Defrancisco. I switched to FA, made FN, then off

USCG Base Boston Ma.

to MK-A school in lovely Yorktown Virginia. I graduated as an MKFN.

I was then stationed at the 378' MAT in Boston, MA from 1980-1983. I worked for MKCS Calvin Smith. He was awesome to work with, he taught me alot about rebuilding Fairbanks Morse engines, and Gas turbines.

Our shop was next door to the assist team so I got to work with some great folks there also. Two of my favorites were MKCM Stanley Hiller, and MKCM Gerry Poliskey.

left the Mat team as an MK3, to serve aboard the CGC Duane WHEC 33. I worked in the engine room for MKCM Duke (Gary) Snyder. I worked my way from Oiler up to Second Throttles. I loved working on that ship I was always proud every time I walked down the pier to get aboard her.

I received the Commandants Letter of Commendation while on board the Duane. Probably one of my biggest achievements, beside's jumping on a forklift and putting boulders on the base of the LORAN tower in Lampedusa Italy during a 60+ mph wind storm and helped keep her from blowing over!! That was from 1984-1985. I worked with a great crew there also. From the Skipper Dave Mogan on down!!!

I made MK2 and after a year in Italy I was told I would get choice of duty, I wanted Alaska, but that never happened. I was stationed back in Boston at the 270' Mat. I then transferred to the CGC Spar WLB 403 which I enjoyed I was in A gang.

In 1986 I transferred to Rockland station which was in my home turf. I love working SAR. Anytime I heard the alarm go off I was running for the boats.

While in Boston I had dislocated my right shoulder twice. I had surgery and they gave me 45 days to heal up then I was back turning wrenches. It eventually got bad enough that I sadly had to get out in Jan of 1988.

It definitely was an adventure I wouldn't trade for anything. My only regret is not staying in long enough to retire!!!

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?

CGC Duane WHEC 33

While on board CGC Gallatin, we were at GQ for 3 days straight chasing a submarine off of Cuba keeping her from surfacing, while waiting for the USN for an assist!! That was pretty awesome.

I also remember doing Haitians ops while on board the CGC Duane. All those poor women and children. Pretty sad duty. While stationed on CGC Duane we Chased a boat out of Honduras for 3 days while waiting for permission to board her, We got permission we pulled up and noticed she was on fire, we sent our rescue and assistance team over to fight the fire but the smoke was too much, they had lit 30 tons of weed, down in their engine room, any ways we had a happy and hungry crew that day!!!!

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?

CGC Duane plaque I recieved when I transferred!!!

I loved all my duty stations. The CGC Duane was my favorite, I also have many fond memories of Base Boston, 378' MAT!!!

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.

Fran Dietrich 378' Mat Governors Island NY

I remember how proud I was every time I went aboard a ship.

Seeing floaters in NYC, and Boston is something that's kinda hard to forget.

While living in Hyde Park just outside of Boston, my friend and shipmate Bob Wilson and I saw an accident where a drunk driver t-boned a 16 year old boy and his girlfriend. She got out okay but he was trapped. We got there the same time as the 1st responders. We helped rip the door off, then got him out and we started performing CPR. He was vomiting up blood and I knew it wasn't good. The ambulance got there and took over. I read in the paper a few days later that he had died!!! While stationed aboard CGC Spar WLB 403, We ran aground on Moultons ledge, while doing bouys, we were taking on water, it was pretty exciting!!!

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?

Small boat helo ops Rockland, Me.

I received the defense medal while in the Army Guard, also an honorable discharge, 2 good conduct medals in the Cg, Sea service ribbon, isolated duty ribbon, Commandant's letter of commendation, cuttermens pin, and an honorable discharge!!!

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?

Commandant's letter of Commendation

Commandants letter of Commendation!!! I helped save the USCG alot of money by just doing what I had been trained to do!!!!

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?

Engineering crew, USCG Loran Station Lampedusa, Italy

In August of 1979 MK1 Steve Brown handed me Louis L'amours "Fair Blow's the Wind" and I've been reading and collecting Louis' books ever since. I even have an autographed one. I worked for some great people and with some great people. They all had an impact on me. MKCM Calvin Smith had an positive impact on me. Captain Arthur Solvang, CO of Base Boston, MKCM Gerry Poliskey, MKCM Stan Hiller, MKCM Harvey Fenton, MKCM Duke Snyder, Lt. Commander Lawrence Murphy, my last CO on the CGC Duane, CWO4 Nim R. Gray. I could go on for days!!!

I only met a few Coasties I didn't like!!!

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.
USCGC Gallatin. I'm in touch with several shipmates from my days aboard the old gal.

Fran Dietrich my engine room soogie partner getting her cleaned up for New Yorker magazine to come take pics lol.

EM3 Bob Howe Bob signed a lot of my engine room quals.,

EM3 Peggy O'Neill, I

Peggy O'niel and unk. shipmate!!!

remember breaking in on 4-8 oiler rounds with Peggy she was an awesome shipmate.

Just got in touch with MK3 Mark Sullivan from my Gallatin days!!!!!

378' Mat I stayed in touch with quite a few folks from my days in Boston, many have crossed the bar, fair winds to them. I stay in touch with Gerry Poliskey, Mark Powell, Paul Holmes.

I would like to get in touch with MKCM Calvin Smith, I've tried getting a hold of him. Last I knew he retired and was living in Plymouth, MA.!!!

CGC Duane, CWO4 Nim R. Gray was our Main Prop advisor and I still call him Mr Gray. He's a great person.

Duke crossed over.

I still hunt with MK1 Charles Dean. Now Retired MKCM.

The Hamilton twins crossed the bar.

Chris Mcgilvery and his Coastie wife Jeannie are still in touch.

Paul Ludden, Pat Mccauley, Thomas Porter, XO Chuck Hill, Doug Harvey, Dave Hutchinson, Mike Snopko, Marvin Dunmeyer, Wayne Jarvis, CWO Harry Toler just to name a few!!!

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?

Earrings my wife and I made!!!

I worked in the ship yards and construction after I got out. I have asbestosis and several other service connected disabilities. My wife is an artist, author, and illustrator of a children's books. I have 2 beautiful daughters Lauren age 11, and Hannah age 8. They are both very artistic

I cut gemstones, make jewelry, and Native American flutes for fun.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
American Legion, and lifetime member DAV. they have helped with my VA claims! I was doing some service officer work with the Legion for a few years.

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?

CGC Gallatin and CGC Dallas drydocks

I still like to help people in trouble. I always kept good work ethics and a positive attitude, I worked on quite a few Coast Guard Cutters even after I got out.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE COAST GUARD?

CGC Gallatin and Lady Liberty!!!

Hang in there, and thanks for your service. Don't ask people to do anything your not willing to do yourself!

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.

My friend and shipmate of 37 years Fran Dietrich!!

I've gotten in touch with some of my old shipmates. Thanks to TWS, Fred's Place and Facebook

DS 8/18/16