1961-2011 ORAL HISTORY QUESTIONS



I. General Questions:

1. Please include a favorite cadet story from your experience onboard the Academy (or elsewhere).

The problem with being a cadet is that all things are relative. Things you remember, such as smuggling in a pizza, don’t even get a ho-hum when contrasted with l/ife as a civilian college kid. But to us, they were great challenges and great fun. One of my favorite remembrances was when Dale Bennet, Dick Swigert and I were roommates as swabs. When one of us was the linen orderly we had a problem (and a plan for) delivering clean sheets and bed spreads each Saturday. Our problem was that while there were enough clean sheets for everyone, there were only enough clean bed spreads for the 1st and 2nd class. But resourceful as we were...well, no problem, we had a plan. We just recycled the dirty bed spreads collected that day from the two 2nd class roommates with the worst hygiene reputation -- ironing and folding them just like new. It only took a few minutes. Then we announced to the nearest 3rd classman: "Good news! Sir!, We were able to appropriate a couple of extra bed spreads from another wing." Imagine our thoughts as we watched them conduct a shake-out to see who the lucky winners were. Seems silly now, but it was a sweet moment at the time.

2. Please include a favorite sea story that sticks with you from your time in the fleet.

Here is an Ensign remembrance that I will call “Ship for Sale – Cheap”

It starts in July 1961 when Bob Blackburn and I reported to the Chincoteague (WAVP 375) along with the new CO, Henry Clay Keene. The Chincoteague, at the bottom of the Eastern Area performance list, was tied up across the dock from the Absecon (Denny Hilliard and Tom Blank), the best cutter on the East Coast. The queen and the goat, moored together.

Capt. Keene set out to change this and by GITMO the following March, we were neck and neck with the Absecon in the race for first place. The plot thickens. As the favored ship, the Absecon was preparing for the cadet cruise (a lot better deal than spending three weeks in Oscar Sierra every other month) at the same time they were slated to sail to Washington DC for the Commandant’s change-of-command. Things were not going well for the Absecon, whose CO was from the Washington area and who was looking forward to showing off his ship to a hometown crowd. As pointed out to the District Commander by Capt Keene, their preparations for the cruise were behind schedule. A decision had to be made. Why not send the Chincoteague to DC instead? As so it was. Needless to say, that did not make the folks on the Absecon very happy. Things had to be done. As 1ST Lieutenant, I had one week to paint the entire ship while Denny and friends worked on a plan to get even.

The Absecon JO’s made a sign on a 4x8 sheet of plywood that said “For Sale- Cheap” followed by the 5th District phone number. The night before we set sail for DC, they, with the help of a camel, tied the sign under our fantail using the emergency steering pad eyes. Now you have to understand that the 311’s were tied to a dock that was only 280 feet long, which meant we could not see under the stern. We had no clue.

The next morning as we set sail on our victory trip to DC, the Absecon called the local newspaper to record the event. Sailing into Anacostia, we were met by a contingent from HQ with instructions to “get that damn sign off your ship!” What sign we asked? Newspaper in hand, they show us the front page, picture and all. The Distinct Commander, who was not known for his sense of humor, was not happy. Things could not get worse, but they did.

We licked our wounds, removed the offending sign, and prepared for the ceremony. We were tied across the dock from Campbell where the actual ceremony was to be held. Our role was to be a grandstand of sorts os officers and their wives could watch the event. As the duty OD, I stood at the foot of the gangway and welcomed everyone on board. Our ship was packed. Then the next disaster hit. Not more than 15 minutes into the ceremony, a huge thunderstorm struck. It was cut short as everyone ran for cover, everyone except for Ensign Hough, who, in dress whites, stayed gallantly at his post at the foot of the gangway. I was drenched, so drenched, in fact, that the gold coloring from my shoulder boards was running down my sleeves.

The storm eventually passed and the visitors started to leave the ship. “My, what a clean ship,” said the wives in their white gloves, “My gloves are a good a new!” We passed a real white glove inspection. Everyone was happy. The District Commander was happy. Capt. Keene breathed a sigh of relief.

But the day was not quite over. Still at my post, I was saluting and saying good bye to our departing guests when CDR and Mrs. Sherman Frick appeared. As the wife of the former Commandant of Cadets, Mrs. Frick recognized me and said “Why Mr. Hough, what lovely underwear you have.” Now what, I thought as I looked down to see nothing but red spots. Don’t ask me why, but I was wearing red poke-a-dot boxers, which because I was soaked, were shining through like a neon sigh. Oh s---! I had to do something. I could not get to my stateroom because the wardroom area was still packed with visitors, so I did the next best thing. I headed aft to the snipes’ quarters, found a regulation pair on a bunk, and returned to my post. The only red still showing was my face.

All’s well that ends well. We had a happy crowd, a happier District Commander, an even happier Capt. Keene, and a very much relieved Ensign who had a clean ship, but ended the day wearing FN Jones’ less than clean skivvies. Four out of five is not that bad.

II. Personal Background:

1. Please provide a brief background bio. Where did you grow up? Where do you live now?

Grew up in Falls Church, VA I retired in 1981 and have lived in St. Louis, MO since. (I was the CO of Coast Guard Base St. Louis from 1970-74.)

2. What experiences did you have during childhood and adolescence that shaped your identity?

3. Are you married? Do you have children/grandchildren?

Yes, original issue, three children, 4 grans.

III. The Cadet Experience:

4. What do you remember about reporting in day?

One thing only…squaring corners.

5. Why did you decide to attend the Coast Guard Academy?

I was sitting behind Roy Groff in high school science when he showed me Take a Look at Your Future and ask me to join him in taking the USCGA entrance exam. I passed (he failed). The rest is history.

When you were a cadet, did you ever think about resigning, and if so, why did you decide to stay? Yes, after a couple of weeks, then I got over it.

6. How did your cadet experiences shape your worldview? Other than cruises, not sure if it did.

7. How did they influence your decision-making process as an officer or civilian? Taught me to know what I was talking about (first hand) before opening my mouth.

8. How do you think your Academy helped or hindered your professional development? An academy is the best management school on earth.

9. How did your classmates affect your life both at the Academy and after? I taught me that the world was not all about me.

10. What did you do for fun as a cadet? Sailing, hobbies, dating townies and Connies

11. What were cadet academics like? Structured, taught me how to learn

12. What was the formal professional development & leadership training aspect like at the Academy?

13. What did you see as more important when you were a cadet: academics or professional development & leadership? Both, working together.

14. Did your perspective change over time and how? Nope

15. What do you think the culture of the Academy was like when you were a cadet? Teamwork

IV. Coast Guard Career:

16. What tours did you have? 2 ships, Loran, Group Commander, Civil Engineering education, alternating shore units command and staff engineering assignments.

17. What was your favorite assignment and why? They all were. My only thought was “why are they paying me to have so much fun.”

18. Please describe your style of leadership. What criteria did you use for making tough decisions? How did your leadership style change throughout your career? Never wear you rank on your sleeve. Be firm but fair. Get in the trenches with the troops. Do things for because they need to be done, not because I said so.

19. What was your greatest career challenge? “Transitioning from the Academy to the real world. Fortunately I had a great 1st CO who made sure I “got it.”

20. Assuming you served in positions where you had junior officers working for you, what did you think about the quality of junior officers in the Coast Guard? Did the quality change over time, and if so, how? Do you have any hypotheses as to why this change occurred?

21. When did you leave the Coast Guard and why? Retired at 20 years in 1981.

22. What do you think the culture of the Coast Guard was like when you were an officer?

V. Post-Coast Guard Career

23. What did you do when you left the Coast Guard? Changed careers, went into Hi Tech product development and marketing

24. How did your experiences in the Coast Guard influence your civilian career? Taught me how to get thing done.

25. What did you like more about the civilian world than the Coast Guard, and vice-versa? The Coast Guard was non-political and trusting with everybody pulling in the same direction. There is not much I like about the civilian world in comparison.

26. Are you retired? If so, when did you retire? Not, yet, still working full time at 70.

27. How are you spending your retirement?

28. Looking back on your professional and personal life, what advice do you have for current cadets, ready to embark on their own careers?

At all time know, first hand, what you are talking about, and play it very straight.

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