Beaufort’s Don Murphy, 74, joined the United States Coast Guard in Johnstown, N.Y., in 1970. After Basic Training at Cape May, N.J., he was assigned to Radioman School on Governor’s Island, N.Y. His first duty station was at the Coast Guard Base in Buffalo, N.Y., serving both Lakes Erie and Ontario. He then was transferred to Coast Guard Radio Station Guam, from which he deployed aboard USCG Cutter Basswood (WLB-388) to Koror, Yap, Palau, Subic Bay and Taiwan.
His final assignment was at Coast Guard District Headquarters Cleveland. He separated in 1974 as a Second Class Petty Officer. He then designed and implemented the first 911 service in Cleveland, worked for the Cleveland Police Department and finally at St. Alexis Hospital providing internal and external communications. He moved to Beaufort County in 2016.
Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 207. For Veteran Of The Week nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.
