San Diego Coast Guard City announces the 2025 Coastie of the Year Award

united states coast guard 

News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard Southwest District PA Detachment San Diego
Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment San Diego
Office: (619) 278-7025
PADETSD@uscg.mil
PA Detachment San Diego online newsroom

 

01/28/2026 01:40 PM EST

SAN DIEGO — The U.S. Coast Guard, in collaboration with San Diego Coast Guard City, announced Petty Officer 1st Class William James, a Sector San Diego Aviation Electronics Technician, as the recipient of the 2025 Coastie of the Year Award during a ceremony at Coast Guard Sector San Diego, Wednesday. This year’s ceremony honors the legacy of Elizabeth “Gena” Macres (Fischle), a World War II veteran and member of the Coast Guard SPARS, the service’s women’s reserve established during World War II. The ceremony’s theme is “Remembering the Past and Embracing the Future.”
Petty Officer 1st Class William James, a Sector San Diego Aviation Electronics Technician, poses after winning the Coastie of the Year award at Coast Guard Sector San Diego, Jan. 28, 2026. The annual award recognizes exemplary Coast Guard members from San Diego’s five local units. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Trinity Whalen)