Yes, I know...I am posting yet another discussion about the same topic. However, I'm hoping the change in title might draw the attention of a different crowd!

I am currently assigned to ANT Pensacola, FL. I am working on creating a plaque listing all previous Pensacola Lighthouse Keepers and OIC's, with their names and dates assigned. I have the names and dates covered from it's beginning in 1824-present day, with the exception of 1965-1972. It's such a small gap now, but it seems nearly impossible to find! I know that the lighthouse was automated in 1965. Much thanks to BMC Daugherty and Mr. Roy Dowdy, I now know that BMC Daugherty was the last OIC of the Light station when the light house went auto in 1965, and that CWO Westberry of LBS Santa Rosa took over the same year. I believe that the Life Boat Station was in charge of maintaining the light house until Aids to Navigation Team Pensacola was established in 1974. I have tried everything I can think of to come up with these names. I've searched aid records, inpsection logs, read through old newspaper clippings and magazine articles. I've spoken with Naton, a CG Historian, and have received emails back from National Archives in D.C, as well as the Archives office in Georgia...all with neg results. I am currently awaiting response from the National Park Service Chief Maritime Historian. As the unit has suffered through a few hurricanes, many paper-trails (such as inpsection logs, aid folders, 1149 folders) were lost years ago. The office at headquaters, which deals with lighthouse lighting equipment does not maintain records back that far. D-8 office has nothing. The last two possible resources I can think of are 1. Travel to D.C. and spend days reading through each and every log book from STA Pensacola (as they probably would have logged an ANT change of command), and 2: Hope to find someone here.

My OIC has already opened a discussion pertaining to this topic in the ATON section. However, there have been no responses since his post a month ago. I understand that not everybody can enjoy ATON. Many leave their fist ATON unit, knowing it will be their last. So, I think I might be able to, possibly, reach more people under this BM topic.

If you have ANY suggestions, I'd appreciate them. What I'm hoping is for someone to read this, having been assigned to the unit at one time or another and be able to provide even just one name. Perhaps, you KNEW someone who was assigned during this gap in time we have. Anything would be helpful.

Boats
Try fredsplace reunion hall, Station Santa Rosa,check out the old table,you might get some info from there,names etc.

Its under Santa Rosa Station

Chief74Ret-

Thank you so much! I never knew to look in the reunion hall. Amazingly enough, most era's were blank, yet right there under the 1960's was a post from Mike Butler, giving the name of the OIC as BM1 John Orr from 1966-67, along with some other names I may be able to contact. The gap is slowly closing, thanks to you. Thank you for you time and input.

BM2

BM1 John Orr was OinC of Santa Rosa LBS after CWO Westbury left and went to Base Mobile as Deputy Group Commander,I was also stationed at Base Mobile after I left the Lighthouse and served under CWO Westbury,I talked to John Orr several times after that, he was a good guy.
The Station and other Stations were both SAR and A/N combined,you worked SAR and Aids to Navigation both or any other duties as needed.

I continue to learn more and more from you BMC. Do you, by chance, know about the time frame BM1 Orr left Santa Rosa? The next name I have is BMC Lawrence King from Aug 1972-Jul1974 (ANT Pensacola was established in Jul 1974). I read BMC King's name in an older magazine article. Do you know, was the the OIC of the station during this time? Would it be safe for me to assume I could list the remaining OIC's of the LBS from BM1 Orr through BMC King as the person in charge of maintaining the lighthouse?

One post on the reunion hall board shows Robert Campbell OinC from 68-69,I left the Base in latter 66 for an 82 footer,left for Vietnam in 1968,so I am not sure from that point, if my memory comes up with any more info.I will pass it along.

Keep up the good work,you are doing a good job.

Thanks BMC...should only need a few more names now. It's easier to keep up the search when others are willing to help out. I only looked at the Santa Rosa, STA era chat table/board. I didnt really know where else to look, so I never saw Robert Campbell's name. I'll have to go and do some more in depth searching in around the Reunion Hall!

I'm noticing more and more 1-yr tours for OIC's there. Was this common practice, or did it have something to do with advancements?

How long were you in Vietnam for? I'm sure that duty was about as far on the opposite side of the spectrum as you can get from the Light Station! What all did you do prior to taking over the Light Station?

Click on the old table under Santa Rosa Station,go down about 11 posts look for a post by Gene Williams,he served there 68-69 and the OinC was Robert Campbell.

I did a year in Vietnam aboard the Point Partridge... before I went to the Lighthouse I served on the Cutter Rambler for 3 years,I was also in the Navy 4 years 51-55.

BMC,

It's been awesome to be able to contact so many who have served around here. Hear what they did here, what they did prior to and after this place. There's the little bit of Text-Book History pertaining to Aids to Navigation, which (what I consider to be) "my coastie generation" knows about. But there is still so much unknown by "my generation". Especially when it comes to Aids to Navigation. I've learned so much, simply through emails from those of the generations before me, about the history of aids to navigation, and much of the coast guard in general, which my generation knows next to nothing about. Sadly, many of those in this generation probably couldnt care less to hear about, either. I'm loving it, though. Becuase of those who served decades before me..the things they were forced to go through, I today say, "I would never be crazy enough to drive THAT type of boat into such crazy seas"..."I would never work that size buoy in this hectic sea-state, or send one of my crewmembers to climb that 60ft+ tower in this weather". The only reason I say these things is becuase of (besides CG policies as well) what those before me first-handedly did to prove that we are not safe in doing so. The fright they may have experienced and lives they may have lost. I am not down-grading this generation of the coast guard for what we do by any means. We still provide a great service. However, from what I've heard from many others around long before me, we have it SO much easier today. I think becuase we have it so much easier on the job, it's also easier to forget what others went through to get us to where we are. I love to hear from others, think about what they went through before me and recognize them for it. I'm so adamant about completing this project, becuase it will be a tangible, ever-lasting recognition of those who served at this unit...for all to see...for decades to come. Granted, it's only the names and dates of Lighthouse keepers/OIC's of Pensacola for some (even just about everyone I work with, other than my OIC find it to be a waste of time). But, for me, it's one of my small ways of recognizing those who served here before me.

I'm very appreciative of the names and photos you have already provided. I'd also appreciate any other stories, accounted incidents, or pictures you may want to provide. As I menioned above, so little is known about the COAST GUARD'S history around here, as it pertains to ATON and the lighthouse. The lighthouse association has numerous accounts of Lighthouse stories and photos up until about the 1930's. Google the Pensacola Lighthouse and you can find these online as well. However, so little is known of the Coast Guards part after the last civilian Lighthouse Family/keeper left. Since I've been receiving so many emails from various members who have served around here including names and stories, this project has started to become a little more personal. The OIC's names are for the plaque. But, now, I would like to complete a new project, taking this a little bit further. Ultimately, I want to compose an awesome article with photos to have published in the NATON bulliten maintained up in Training Center Yorktown, published and released to all ATON units. Maybe, I can even try to get it published locally in some way, as the Pensacola lighthouse is a huge part of this places history. At the very least, I will have an organized account with photos for the unit to read and recognize.

Thank you,

BM2

Boats

Its a good project and you have the tools, wisdom,determination to succeed.

BTW
Have you had to change the Aircraft warning light at the Pensacola Light,that was bit of a scary climb.