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the QuarterQuarterdeckdeck LogLog Membership publication of the Coast Guard Combat Veterans Association. Publishes quarterly — Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. Not sold on a subscription basis. The Coast Guard Combat Veterans Association is a Non-Profit Corporation of Active Duty Members, Retired Members, Reserve Members, and Honorably Discharged Former Members of the United States Coast Guard who served in, or provided direct support to combat situations recognized by an appropriate military award while serving as a member of the United States Coast Guard. Volume 18, Number 4 Winter 2003 AVT3 William J. Nolte Honored Petty Officer Named CGCVA “USCG Person Of The Year” For 2002 On Monday, January 5, 2004, Avionics Technician Third Class William J. Nolte of USCG Air Station Houston, Texas was honored as the CGCVA’s “Coast Guard Person of the Year” for 2002. He was presented a plaque, CGCVA ball cap and an Honorary CGCVA Life Membership during ceremonies at USCG Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Coast Guard Commandant ADM Thomas Collins and CGCVA National President Ed Swift made the presentations to Nolte, who had previously earned the Coast Guard Medal for heroism on the morning of November 10, 2002 while extinguishing a gasoline fire at the Chevron facility in Columbus, Texas. Nolte and his wife, Brittany, were flown from Houston, where they were guests of the Association during their 3-day ’ stay in the Nation s Capitol. AVT3 William Nolte (center) is presented the CGCVA “ Coast Nolte’s Coast Guard medal citation reads:“Returning to Guard Person of the Year” award for 2002 by ADM Thomas Coast Guard Air Station Houston from weekend liberty, Petty Collins and CGCVA National President Ed Swift. Officer Nolte stopped to refuel his vehicle at Chevron’s Columbus location. While inside paying the attendant, a dis- thinking by directing the fuel truck driver to secure the fuel traught man entered the building yelling for someone to call pump, thereby eliminating the fire’s fuel source. 911. Petty Officer Nolte approached the man, asked what the After securing the area, he assisted the truck driver with the problem was, and offered to help. The man frantically shout- dangerous task of draining and removing the damaged refuel- ed that his fuel tanker truck was on fire. Instantly recognizing ing hoses. The Columbus Volunteer Fire Department arrived a the potential for a devastating explosion and observing the lack few minutes later and found that Petty Officer Nolte had the of positive action by the fuel truck driver, Petty Officer Nolte entire situation under control. took immediate control of the situation. Had the 9,000-gallon fuel truck and underground storage He quickly located a fire extinguisher inside the station and tank ignited, the ensuing explosion could have easily destroyed ran outside. While all the people inside and around the gas sta- an entire city block. His quick actions saved the lives of at least tion ran away from the tanker truck, Petty Officer Nolte ran 20 people, and prevented extensive damage to all surrounding toward the fire, with the fuel truck driver following. property. Upon arriving at the inferno, he saw six-foot flames shoot- Petty Officer Nolte demonstrated remarkable initiative, ing upward from an underground fuel storage drop where the exceptional fortitude and daring in spite of imminent and sig- 18-wheeled tanker truck nificant personal danger was parked. He also Don’t forget to register for the upcoming by extinguishing an noticed that the fuel hose extremely hazardous was blistering from the CGCVA CONVENTION & gasoline fire. His intense heat and laid REUNION courage and devotion to down extinguishing agent duty are in keeping with until the fire was out. At in Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky April 22-26, 2004 the highest traditions of the same time, he demon- (see pull-out center section) the United States Coast strated extremely clear Guard.” From the President Kentucky Convention Notes: This is the last QD Log issue that will include convention information and registration forms. The Fort Mitchell, Ky. convention & reunion (April 22-26) is just around the corner so if you haven’t already made plans and registered, please do so quickly. The convention is the only opportunity for us to offi- cially gather together as an Association and this is bound to be our best convention ever! We will be voting on proposed By- Laws changes and electing officers and trustees. Remember, Coast Guard Combat Veterans you can only vote or run for elected positions if you are at the Association Business Meeting. Attention Trustees, Directors and Chairpersons: It is imper- OFFICERS ative that you attend the Pre-Convention Meeting on Edward B. Swift, LM, National President Wednesday, April 21st at 1600 so please plan your travel sched- E. P. “Ed” Burke, LM, National Vice President ules so as to arrive in time for this critical meeting. Baker W. Herbert, LM, National Secretary-Treasurer I am very pleased to announce that the keynote speaker at the Convention Awards Banquet will be CGCVA member BOARD OF TRUSTEES VADM James D. Hull, Commander, Atlantic Area. VADM Chairman: Hull will also assist with the presentation of the 2003 CGCVA PNP John W. “Jack” Campbell, LM “Coast Guard Person of the Year” award. Two Term: PNP Robert J. Maxwell, LM New Look to Quarterdeck Log and Website Gil “Frenchy” Benoit, LM The last issue of the QD Log contained several photographs One Term: which, unfortunately, were not reproduced well by our con- Sidney “Herb” Weinstein, LM tracted printer. This was especially disappointing for me (as Patrick T. Denney, LM editor) because many of the photos reflected activities associ- ated with the LT Jack Rittichier memorial ceremonies in ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE* which the CGCVA played a significant role. The new printer National Secretary-Treasurer will be able to print our quarterly magazine in full-color so this P.O. Box 544 6629 Oakleaf Drive issue should look a bit different than before. I hope you like it. Westfield Center, OH 44251 And speaking of our quarterly magazine, my continued Phone: (330) 887-5539 Fax: (330) 887-5639 thanks to all the members who have submitted articles, notices E-mail: [email protected] and photos. It is most appreciated and certainly makes the job Website: www.coastguardcombatvets.com easier. For those who wish to submit material for consideration *use the Administrative Office for contact with the in the QD Log, please refer to the information regarding subis- CGCVA on all matters sions on page 30. Thanks again! Improvements have also been made to the CGCVAwebsite: AUXILIARY OFFICERS www.coastguardcombatvets.com so please add this site to your Shirley Ramsey, National President “favorites”. Well-deserved kudos to webmaster John Beck and Linda Benoit, National Vice President our Ways & Means Director Robert MacLeod for their cre- Jane Maxwell, National Secretary-Treasurer ativity and persistence in keeping this an active, informative and entertaining site. THE QUARTERDECK LOG Edward B. Swift, LM, Editor-In-Chief CGCVA 2002 Coast Guard Person of the Year David Teska, LM, Assistant Editor Congratulations are extended to AVT3 William J. Nolte of USCG Air Station Houston, TX who was selected as the APPOINTEES CGCVA Coast Guard Person of the Year for 2002. I was priv- Walter W. Gorr, LM, Parliamentarian; Vince Stauffer, LM, ileged to present Petty Officer Nolte a plaque, personalized By-Laws Chairman; William G. Miller, LM, Chaplain; PNP CGCVA ballcap, portfolio, paperweight and Honorary Life Robert J. Maxwell, LM, Budget Director & Convention Membership on January 5th at USCG Headquarters. Planner; Patrick E. Ramsey, LM, Membership Chairman; (continued on page 30) Robert F. MacLeod, LM, Ways & Means Director Next QD Log deadline is May 1, 2004 From the Vice President Convention Update are calling ‘Young Blood’ you probably think we are looking Shortly after receiving this issue of the QD Log, we will be for 30- and 40-year olds. You are wrong! 50- and 60-year olds meeting, greeting and getting re-acquainted in Fort Mitchell. are what we need. It is also realized that some of you are still It will be good to see you again and renew old friendships. We working and do not have a lot of time to devote to the associa- are set up for another good time in Kentucky. We have one tion. Stop and think, we meet every 18 months; these meetings slight change and that being the are being set-up by the committee Lexington trip. I am not sure how it for site selection. If you assume a happened only that when we called position in the association you will to confirm our reservations, we were only be required to do the job you informed that they were booked up have accepted. The more people we and had no more room. A lot of dis- get involved the easier it is for cussion followed to no avail. everyone. So please give it some However, Bob found another race- serious thought and do what you track that could handle us and furnish can. the same deal. So, we will be going Of course, I am still looking for- to the River Downs Racetrack for our ward to having a drink or two with Day at the Races. Same fine food in you. Ed the clubhouse with transportation, and track ticket. One advantage is the bus trip will not take as Veterans of Underage Military Service long; you will still have the same amount of time at the track I’m not sure how many CGCVA members, besides myself, along with everything else. are eligible for or are already members of the Veterans of Just to clear up one point, the Gambling ship is still there Underage Military Service (VUMS) but here’s some informa- that a lot of you went to during our last convention there.

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