by: John R. Hawkins IV,
RDCS (E8) U.S. Coast Guard Retired,
USCGC RUSH (WHEC-723),
Operation Markettime,
1970 -1971
I request a Rose be placed alongside the names of the seven U.S. Coast Guard who are on the Wall, and a poem posted in their honor. While I know some don't view the Coast Guard as a military service, we are and have served as honorably as any member of the Big Four. In Vietnam, we served as ammo loading supervisors, loran station techs and watchstanders, established aids to navagiation in the bays and rivers, flew combat SAR missions, and served on ofshore patrol boats and oceangoing cutters in Operation Markettime (CTF115, which provided naval gunfire support to friendly forces when in range. Unsung, unknown, but nevertheless there and on The Wall.
The seven names are:
LTJG (O2) David Charles Brostrom, (Patrol Boat Commanding Officer) killed in a Friendly Fire incident when his Coast Guard Cutter was straffed by US Air Force aircraft on 11 August, 1966. Panel 09E Line 126.
EN2 (E5) Jerry Phillips, (Patrol Boat Crewman) killed in Friendly Fire incident alongside LTJG Brostrom, when his Coast Guard Cutter was straffed by US Air Force aircraft, 11 August, 1966. Panel 09E Line 128.
LT (O3) Jack Columbus Rittichier, (CG Exchange pilot with 37th ARRS Da Nang) killed when aircraft hit by A/A, crashed and burned 9 June, 1968. Body not recovered. Panel 58W Line 014.
FN (E3) Heriberto Sedgovia Hernandez, (Patrol Boat Crewman) killed when his cutter's small boat was attacked in a canal, on 5 December, 1968. Panel 37W Line 046.
ENC (E7) Morris Sampson Beeson, (Patrol Boat Engineering Officer) Assasinated on 22 March, 1969. Panel 28W Line 008.
LTJG (O2) Michael Ward Kirkpatrick, (Patrol Boat Commanding Officer) died of wound received when 81mm mortar/50cal main weapon exploded due to loading accident on 8 August 1969. Panel 20W Line 119.
EN1 (E6) Michael Harris Painter, (Patrol Boat Crewman) died of wounds received alongside LTJG Kirkpatrick, on 8 August, 1969. Panel 20W Line 115.
They were there, as were a great many other Coasties. You may not have seen us, but we too served.
© 1997, by: Dolly Juhlin
Could it be your brother there?
Or a sweetheart, or your friend?
All the years that have gone by
Still the memories never end -
Time stands still for seven of them
In memories they stand tall
Seven U.S. Coast Guard men who served
Shadowed names upon a wall -
On a mission far from home
Not knowing what would be
They sacrificed the ultimate
Heroes for you and me -
Ever ready to go forth
Who would know their end
Atta boy's are silent now
Let's not forget these men -
Long ago they sailed away
to a different port of call
Do salute them silently
Coasties one and all.
