His Crew and the Coast Guard have just lost a real Officer and Gentleman.
Lt. Commander Stanley W. Mead has gone on his last Boat Call.
The four of Us have just had our hearts devastated this day. With his passing our memories under his command have resurfaced and have become more endearing. No greater respect for anyone will we have till the day we die! He truly was a Gentleman, in his quite way you just naturally had great respect, devotion and love for him, almost instantly.
Mr. Mead entered the Army during WW 2 and served under Patton at the Battle of the Bulge. After the war he joined the Coast Guard as an enlisted man and served at many units rising to the rank of Lt. Commander. Some of his last assignments were as Group Commander Grays Harbor and Commanding Officer at Station Cape Disappointment (2 tours) retiring in 1974.
Mr. Mead and his wife Colleen looked out for his men in many ways. Such a simple act of compassion as this will show you how they served us. On Thanksgiving and Christmas they would have the single men over to dinner that didn't go home to family. That tells you what kind of gracious people they were. Thier thoughts were always of us first.
Mr. Mead stood beside his men and backed their decisions forever. He knew everyone's capabilities; he also saw their potential. His men always excelled under him. Even to this day we would walk through fire and broken glass, to hell and back just to tell the devil to go to hell. He was our Group Commander before taking over as Officer in Charge at Cape D. No farer man served anywhere. We look forward to serving with him again when we are called on our last Boat Call!
Gary, Bob, Ernie and Frank