ALCOAST 160/26 - JUN 2026 DEATH OF A RETIRED FLAG OFFICER AND HALF-MASTING OF NATIONAL ENSIGN

R 041701Z JUN 26   MID120041295207U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 160/26
SSIC 5060
SUBJ: DEATH OF A RETIRED FLAG OFFICER AND HALF-MASTING OF
NATIONAL ENSIGN
A. Military Personnel Casualties and Decedent Affairs,
COMDTINST 1770.9A
1. It is with great sadness that I announce the death of
Vice Admiral Paul A. Welling, USCG (retired), who passed away on
March 2026 at the age of 88. VADM Welling was born in January 1938
in New York City.
2. VADM Welling's exemplary service to the U. S. Coast Guard and
this Nation is reflected in his obituary, which is detailed below
and available at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theday/name/paul-welling-obituary?id=61536038

    a. Vice Admiral Paul A. Welling assumed the duties of Commander,
U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area and U.S. Maritime Defense Zone
Atlantic on June 28, 1991, following a two-year assignment as
Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, Portsmouth, Virginia.
    b. Upon graduation from the Coast Guard Academy in 1959,
Admiral Welling was assigned to the Cutter Pontchartrain, commanded
the Cutter Cape Wash and then commanded Loran Station Johnston
Island. Following assignment as a Company Officer at the Coast Guard
Academy, he served as Executive Officer of the Cutter Vigilant.
He graduated with distinction from the Naval War College in 1970,
and was then assigned to the Military Readiness Division at
Coast Guard Headquarters. After assignment in the Ocean Affairs
Office of the Department of State, he assumed command of the
Cutter Vigorous.
    c. Admiral Welling was Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard
Academy's sailing training vessel, the barque Eagle, from
August 1976 until July 1980. Upon graduation from the National
War College in 1981, he served in the Search and Rescue Division
of Coast Guard Headquarters. He was then assigned to the Third
District where he was Chief, Search and Rescue Branch; Deputy
Coordinator, National Narcotics Border Interdiction System,
Northeast Region; and then Chief Operations Division.
    d. He was Fifth District Chief of Staff from July 1985 until
June 1987 when he was promoted to Rear Admiral and assigned as
Chief, Office of Readiness and Reserve.
    e. In addition to a Bachelor of Science Degree, Admiral Welling
had a Master of Science Degree in International Affairs from
George Washington University, and a Juris Doctor Degree from the
University of Connecticut.
    f. His military decorations included the Legion of Merit
(two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), and the
Coast Guard Commendation Medal.
3. VADM Welling retired from the Coast Guard in 1994.
4. VADM Welling is survived by his wife of 67 years the former
Sheila Margaret Donohue of New London; his daughter Andrea Welling
Kennedy; his son Paul Welling Jr. and his wife Brenda; two
granddaughters; and three great-grandchildren, Anna Kennedy
Dalrymple, her husband Paul J. Dalrymple, and their children
Charlotte, Atticus, and Dashiell Dalrymple, and Nora Margaret
Kennedy; and survived by his younger sister Anne Bastian; as well
as several nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and nephews.
His sister Joan Stiegman; his brother Joseph Welling; and
his brother Peter Welling predeceased him as did his parents,
Dr. and Mrs. Joseph G. Welling.
5. By order of the Commandant and IAW REF (A), the National Ensign
shall be flown at half-mast from sunrise until sunset on
Saturday, 06 June 2026, on all Coast Guard buildings, grounds,
and vessels not underway, in honor of VADM Paul A. Welling,
USCG (retired).
6. VADM Welling will be interred at the United States Coast Guard
Academy (USCGA) columbarium in New London, CT, on 06 June 2026.
7. The PSC POC is the Chief of Casualty Matters, Mr. Roger Dray
at 571-266-2375 or Roger.G.Dray@uscg.mil.
8. CAPT Christopher Hulser, Assistant Commandant for Workforce
Management (CG-WM), sends.
9. Internet release is authorized.