ALCOAST 130/20 - APR 2020 DEATH OF A FORMER COMMANDANT

R 081441 APR 20
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CCG//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N05360//
ALCOAST 130/20
COMDTNOTE 5360
SUBJ: DEATH OF A FORMER COMMANDANT
A. United States Coast Guard Regulations 1992, COMDTINST M5000.3 (series)
1. It is with great sadness that I announce the death of Admiral James Steele
Gracey, USCG (retired), 17th Commandant of the Coast Guard, who passed away on
Sunday, 05 April 2020, in Falls Church, VA, at the age of 92.
2. Born in Newton, Massachusetts in 1927, ADM Gracey graduated from the United
States Coast Guard Academy in 1949. ADM Gracey was a 1956 graduate of the Harvard
Graduate School where he earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration.
3. His career included diverse tours both ashore and afloat, including Commanding
Officer, LORAN Station Ocean Cape, Yakutat, Alaska; Commanding Officer, CGC MARIPOSA;
assistant project officer for the conversion of Governors Island in New York City
from an Army post into a Coast Guard Base; Executive Officer, Base Governors Island;
and Chief, Programs Division at Coast Guard Headquarters.
4. Promoted to flag rank in October of 1974, his flag assignments included Commander,
Ninth Coast Guard District; Chief of Staff, US Coast Guard; Commander, Coast Guard
Pacific Area / Twelfth Coast Guard District; and Commander, Atlantic Area / Third Coast
Guard District.
5. ADM Gracey served as Commandant from 1982 until his retirement in 1986. During his
tenure, ADM Gracey successfully steered the service through difficult budget climates
and prevented privatization of many missions, including search-and-rescue. He oversaw
major asset overhauls and the addition of new capabilities to the fleet, including
additional Famous-class medium-endurance cutters, Island-class patrol boats and HU-25A
Falcon aircraft. He delivered Coast Guard support for U.S. military and joint
international operations, including the 1983 invasion of Grenada and Operation BLUE
LIGHTNING, an interagency Task Force established in South Florida that linked efforts
with the Government Commonwealth of the Bahamas to seize record amounts of illegal
narcotics. Admiral Gracey stated his greatest accomplishment during his tenure as
Commandant was "the ability to keep the USCG afloat, keep it on an even keel, and keep
it moving forward."
6. ADM Gracey is survived by his wife of almost 71 years, Randy; their daughter, Cheryl,
and son, Kevin; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in
death by his daughter Pamela.
7. The National Ensign shall be flown at half mast in ADM Gracey’s honor on all Coast
Guard buildings, grounds, and vessels not underway from sunrise on Thursday, 09 April
2020 until sunset on Wednesday, 15 April 2020.
8. Details regarding services will be sent via separate message.
9. ADM Karl L. Schultz, Commandant, sends.
10. Internet release is authorized.