FAIR WINDS AND FOLLOWING SEAS SHIPMATE

All, I want to tell you how very proud I am of my staff, and recruits from U-180 and V-180. Earlier this week, we said fair winds and following seas to a Coast Guard Combat Veteran from World War II; Mr. Jack Campbell. Below is a Coast Guard wide notification of his passing. At his memorial service, I remarked how Jack had lived true to my watch words of commitment, courage and character long after he left military service and dedicated his life to ensure that we would never forget the legacy of all our war heroes. Many noteworthy people attended his service, a testament to his devotion to duty. Jack was a Guardian and through his longstanding connection to recruit training, we assured him that we have the watch... all is secure about the decks, at home and overseas. At the cemetery, recruits participated as pallbearers, in the rifle detail for the 21-gun salute and played taps. The detail was led by Command Master Chief Bruce Bradley and Petty Officer 2nd Class Francesco Thompson. I was very proud of their exceptional performance of duty that day, and the family will be forever grateful. Thanks to all, and keep those letters coming to your loved ones. - Captain Thomas

ALCOAST 627/08COMDTNOTE 5360SUBJ: DEATH OF AN HONORED CG VETERAN
1. IT IS WITH DEEP REGRET THAT I ANNOUNCE THE PASSING OF APROMINENT WORLD WAR II COAST GUARD VETERAN, JOHN "JACK" CAMPBELL.MR. CAMPBELL WAS 84 YEARS OF AGE, AND SERVED UNTIL THE END AS A TRUE AMBASSADOR OF THE COAST GUARD.
2. BORN IN FEBRUARY 1924 IN LONG BRANCH NEW JERSEY, MR.CAMPBELL WAS SWORN INTO THE COAST GUARD ON DECEMBER 12, 1942. AFTER BEING DESIGNATED A GUNNERS MATE HE WAS ASSIGNED TO CG FLOTILLA 1 IN POOLE ENGLAND, A PRIMARY STAGING AREA FOR D-DAY OPERATIONS. DURING THE D-DAY INVASION OF NORMANDY, FRANCE ON JUNE 6 1944, MR. CAMPBELL WAS ASSIGNED TO THE 83-FOOT BOAT USCG 49, WHICH OPERATED NEAR THE LANDING AREAS AS A RESCUE CRAFT.
3. AFTER HE LEFT THE COAST GUARD, MR. CAMPBELL EXHIBITED GREAT DEDICATION IN ENSURING THAT THOSE WHO BRAVED ENEMY FIRE TO LAND TROOPS ON HOSTILE FOREIGN SHORES WOULD NOT BE FORGOTTEN. BY BRINGING THEIR HISTORIES TO LIFE HE BROUGHT HONOR TO OUR SERVICE AND THE NATION. HE BECAME A LIFE MEMBER OF THE COAST GUARD COMBAT VETERANS ASSOCIATION AND SERVED AS THEIR NATIONAL PRESIDENT FROM 2001 TO 2002. A FEW OF HIS MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS WITH THE CGCVA INCLUDE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COAST GUARD MEMORIAL IN POOLE ENGLAND, AND BEGINNING THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE RECRUIT TRAINING AWARD FOR PHYSICAL FITNESS. MR. CAMPBELL REGULARLY ATTENDED TRAINING CENTER CAPE MAY GRADUATIONS UNTIL RECENTLY TO PRESENT THAT AWARD, AND INSPIRE THOUSANDS OF OUR NEWEST GUARDIANS. IN RECOGNITION OF HIS CONTRIBUTIONS, HE WAS NAMED AN HONORARY COAST GUARD CHIEF PETTY OFFICER IN DECEMBER 2007. HIS LIFE LONG COMMITMENT TO HIS COUNTRY AND COAST GUARD WAS AN INSPIRATION FOR ALL GUARDIANS. HIS PASSING IS A GREAT LOSS FOR ALL OF US.
4. VADM V.S. CREA, VICE COMMANDANT, UNITED STATES COAST GUARD,SENDS.
5. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.