ALCGPSC 066/20 DEATH OF A RETIRED FLAG OFFICER

united states coast guard

08 JUN 2020
UNCLAS //N05360//
ALCGPSC 066/20
SUBJ:  DEATH OF A RETIRED FLAG OFFICER
A.  USCG Regulations, COMDTINST M5000.3 (series)
1.  It is with great sadness that I announce the death of Rear Admiral
Marshall “Ed” Gilbert, USCG (retired), who passed away on Thursday, 04
June 2020 in Arlington, VA at the age of 83.
2.  Born on 24 November 1936, in Thomaston, Georgia, RADM Gilbert
graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London,
Connecticut with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1958. RADM Gilbert
earned a Master's degree in communications engineering from George
Washington University, Washington, D.C., in 1973 and attended the U.S.
Naval Post Graduate School, Monterey, California, and the U.S. Army War
College.
3. His command assignments included USCGC CAPE KNOX, Coast Guard Loran
Station Bataan, Philippines and Coast Guard Group St. Petersburg,
Florida. He also commanded several patrol boats during the Coast
Guard's initial deployment to Vietnam in 1965. Other assignments
included Chief of Telecommunications; Chief, Plans and Policy Division;
U.S. representative to the Radio Communications Subcommittee of the
International Maritime Organization and senior technical advisor for
the U.S. Delegation to the 1983 World Administrative Radio Conference;
Deputy Chief, Office of Command, Control and Communications at Coast
Guard Headquarters; and Chief of Staff, Twelfth Coast Guard District.
4.  Appointed to flag rank in 1986, RADM Gilbert served as Chief,
Office of Research and Development at Headquarters; Chief, Office of
Boating, Public and Consumer Affairs and Resource Director/Comptroller
of the United States Coast Guard. RADM Gilbert commanded the Eleventh
Coast Guard District from 1990 until his retirement in 1993, after 35
years of distinguished service.
5. Rear Admiral Gilbert's awards include the Legion of Merit, three
Meritorious Service Medals, the Bronze Star, three Coast Guard
Commendation Medals and the Coast Guard Achievement Medal.
6. Following his military service, RADM Gilbert formed Gilbert &
Associates, Inc. This company provided dedicated senior level
consulting for a wide array of companies, both domestic and
international, and specialized in Maritime Telecommunications. He
continued this work throughout his lifetime. He was a well-respected
representative and member of numerous organizations and was especially
proud of his work with Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services
(RTCM) and the Coast Guard Foundation.
7.  RADM Gilbert’s biography may be found on the USCG Historian’s
website at https://www.history.uscg.mil/Browse-by-Topic/Notable-
People/All/Article/1875015/rear-admiral-marshall-e-gilbert/.
8.  RADM Gilbert is survived by his wife of 62 years, Melinda; his two
daughters, Pamela Kennedy and Sabrina Brassard; his sister Joyce; six
grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by
his son, Marshall E. Gilbert, Jr., and brothers Eugene and John. His
full obituary can be found at
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/arlington-va/marshall-
gilbert-9209011.
9.  An open house is planned from 1100 to 1300 and 1600 to 1800 on
Saturday, 13 June 2020 at Murphy’s Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Boulevard,
Arlington, VA. A Memorial Service will follow in the late fall and he
will be ultimately laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery early
next year.  Memorial and funeral service information, with half-mast
instructions, will be sent via separate message.
10. RADM Gilbert’s family requests contributions to the Coast Guard
Foundation (coastguardfoundation.org) or National Alliance on Mental
Illness (NAMI) (https://www.nami.org/Home) in lieu of flowers.
11. Released: RDML S. N. Gilreath, Commander, Personnel Service Center.
The Service Center for our most important resource – Our People.
12. Internet release authorized.