Chief poses with Rear Admiral Brown,
Thirteenth District Commander, on a recent visit at ISC Seattle hosted by
the Seattle Chiefs Mess.
ERACLEO ALIMPOLO
Eracleo Alimpolo, currently the oldest
living Coast Guardsman, was born in Isabella, Philippines on April 23, 1898.
It's believed he served in the merchant marines prior to leaving the
Philippines. He left the Philippines and enlisted in the United States Navy on
October 23, 1916 at the age of eighteen. He served in the Navy as a Steward
until February 27, 1920. Eracleo has a autograph picture of Admiral Nimitzs
with warm remarks. It appears he once served under him some where in his
career.
Although details are sketchy, it appears
that after leaving the Navy, Eracleo attended a school named Brown Preparatory
from 1920 to 1924. Some old notes and records indicate he may have also worked
on a ship and possibly attempted to start his own business in Brazil.
He enlisted in the United States Coast
Guard on December 17, 1928 as Steward First Class at a pay of $84 per month. He
successfully completed Officer Steward Training School in 1932. Eracleo
remained faithful to his family in the Philippines and continually sent money
home to help pay for the education of his brother’s seven children.
Throughout his long career in the Coast
Guard, Eracleo served aboard several ships, including the Alexander Hamilton
(1937), which was a full sail vessel. He also served aboard the cutters Tahoe,
Algonquin, Pontchartrain, Madrona, Trais, and Clover. Eracleo also
served at various shore units in the Miami, Florida, area as well as Seattle,
Washington and Juneau, Alaska. Eracleo’s last assignment in the Coast Guard was
aboard the USCGC Fir before retiring on October 1, 1957 as a Chief
Steward after a total of 22 years, eight months and 14 days of military
service.
Eracleo settled in the Seattle area and
went to work at Boeing Aircraft in 1957 and eventually retired from there in
1970’s. In his late 90’s Eracleo was founded beaten and robbed in
downtown Seattle. . It was soon after that he was moved into Guardianships of
Seattle where he remains today.
At the
age of 103, Eracleo continues to exercise daily and enjoys short walks and letters..
From:
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/mcpocg/1geninfo/histchalimpolocareer.htm
You could send him greeting at: