1976 to 1978

Coast Guard Medium Endurance Cutter DAUNTLESS (WMEC-624)

This is the Coast Guard Cutter DAUNTLESS (WMEC-624).  It was a Medium Endurance Cutter like the one downtown in Wilmington, NC (CGC DILIGENCE).  DAUNTLESS has earned a reputation as one of the nation's premier "drug busters."

DAUNTLESS became the first cutter in history to seize one million pounds of marijuana. During her Coast Guard career, DAUNTLESS has over 85 illegal narcotics "busts" to her credit, more than any other cutter. 

I was involved in quite a few of them including the world record M/V NIGHT TRAIN, who tried to ram us.   I think the Cutter DAUNTLESS made at least 20 bust while I was on her and I was always part of the Boarding Team.

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My first use of force at 19 years of age, at least threatened force.  My "Line in the Sand".-

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The DAUNTLESS like other Cutters in her class had a flight deck for a helicopter.  We took one on for every patrol we did, mostly in the Caribbean Sea.  We flew it 3 times a day looking for suspects.  Who was always on the Air Crew?  Yes, it was me.

We kept the "Ma Deuce's" ready...  (yes, that is me)

This is the Deck Force, I think.  But, it is a small portion of the crew.  Got to her in 1976, she was then in Miami Beach, Florida.